Crystal clear

One of the Baccarat lamps

ITALY: In partnership with Baccarat, Flos has called upon the creative talents of Philippe Starck and Jenny Holzer to develop the limited edition ‘Hooo!!!’ and ‘Haaa!!!’ table and floor lamps. A total of only nine Haaa!!! and 49 Hooo!!! lamps will be available on the market.

The timelessness and uniqueness of Baccarat’s workmanship is combined with extracts from Jenny Holzer’s ‘Truisms’ and ‘Survival’ series. Known for her experimentation with the written word, Jenny Holzer has, over the last 30 years, presented her ideas, arguments and sorrows in public places and private exhibitions ranging from 7 World Trade Center and the Reichstag to the Venice Biennale, as well as the Guggenheim Museums in New York and Bilbao.

Whether formulated as a T-shirt, a plaque, or an LED sign, her medium of ‘writing’ has earned her countless awards and honorary degrees. Holzer’s phrases – short, declarative statements that summarise, question, and debate how societies are structured and viewed – flow vertically and uninterrupted along the central passage of the lamps.

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Meanwhile, a narrow, elongated, rectangular element in mirror-finish steel cuts the faceted shape of the crystal base perpendicularly and diffuses the light.

Starck’s fascination with Baccarat’s creations and the potential of crystal reportedly helped kick-start this special project. The lamps are designed to merge different worlds and opposing realities, combining tradition and research, craftsmanship and industry, art and design. With its transparent and reflective outlines, it is also designed to seduce and captivate the viewer.

Haaa!!! is the floor version, while Hooo!!! is designed for the table. Both have an outer body cast in crystal-cut glass and an inner body of polished aluminium. The lamps also feature a flush mount LED display with custom-made cards and high performance micro LEDS with four processors.

“We have chosen the beautiful Baccarat vases because we respect the passion and dedication which Baccarat and his craftsmen continue to use in the exploration of crystal – not because Flos wants to be involved in luxury items,” said Piero Gandini, president, Flos.

“The idea of inserting LEDs in movement inside the steel body of the lamp reminded us immediately of Jenny Holzer’s fantastic installations. We love her talent and moral courage. Jenny has selected some of her ‘Truisms’ and ‘Survival’ sentences which now flow within the crystal with surprising results,” Gandini continued.