Comments on: Absent Nature by Arik Levy

By: gregb

gregb — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:11:18 +0000

There will always be excess. But designers can play a critical role- for example, many people are trying to obselete the suburban grass lawn with productive vegetable gardens- but frankly, the resulting plating beds look like the Clampetts took up residence on the front step.

Yet with good (great) design, combining sculptural elements with thoughtful layout and seaonality, the gardens could offer tremendous curb appeal and set off a round of front lawn envy that would ease on down the road.

By: Bonzo

Bonzo — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:51:25 +0000

FBot -
With respect, the assumption that designers “have to produce something” is pure anal Freud. Historically, the most visionary designers have mastered the art of knowing ‘when’ to design. I would argue that we have to develop that instinct again, to distinguish between necessity and market driven excreta of so called ‘design’ that clots our vision of what is good and bad.
I do not think this lighting installation breaks new ground. I think it is indulgent and wasteful.

By: FBot

FBot — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:04:18 +0000

These are small cold cathode tubes. Something that some PC customisers might put in their PC for effect. They probably use a max of 3-4watts each.

I agree with the comments of energy consumption but at the end of the day, designers still need to produce “something” we can’t all just sit around and do “nothing”. I think as long as its breaking new ground it’s valid and of course try and make it as energy efficient as we can.

Is high fashion wrong? Should all artists stop work?

By: JC

JC — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:06:15 +0000

I agree with desky, it is certain that succesful designers, who have to deal with many projects, are tempted to revisit and devellop old ideas, but the limit is never very far away.

By: desky

desky — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:59:59 +0000

Levy has done “lots of something” with his Rock project firstly sold it in galleries (inox version) then to Serralunga (rotomolded version) as a light up table, then as a chocolate bar, now extruded…etc. Why break a winning formula ?

As for this “lots of” lamp thing I don’t feel it necessites another exhibition, yawn, agree with Bonzo waste of energy, maybe move on to something new ?

By: pat

pat — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:09:18 +0000

I like much of Arik’s work. However, Bonzo raises some pertinent points here. I am also weary of the ‘Lots of Something’ solution to installations.

By: Bonzo

Bonzo — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:36:28 +0000

I wonder what the energy rating vs. output is for this? Is it a sustainable lighting solution? If not, is it exempt because it is ‘Art’? (society has already established that ‘Design’ should not be exempt). If so, why not? Ultimately we all pay for it, one way or another. All this in addition of course to the fact that it doesn’t look very good. Its just another example of lazy non-design by exhibiting ‘A Lot Of Something’, ie. A Lot of Lights.
Idea:
Why not design something a) useful, b) economical, c) accessible.