Wright Auction

Studio Wieki Somers's 'Mitate' lighting collection, of which the present lot is a part, is comprised of seven large-scale floor lamp designs inspired by the history and aesthetics of Japan. Studio Wieki Somers and Dylan van den Berg travelled throughout Japan in 2011 and 2012, visiting traditional craftspeople and gathering materials. Reflecting on the collection that emerged from this research, Somers wrote, "We wanted to create a contemporary equivalent of sixteenth-century samurai flags translated into ‘light poles’ – a family of lamps.” Each of the seven lamps is named for one of the seven tenets of Samurai code: Gi, the right decision; Yuu, bravery; Jin, compassion; Rei, the right action; Makoto, truth; Meiyo, honour; and Chuugi, devotion. And while each lamp has its own distinct character, the collected series is "named after the Japanese concept of mitate," as Domus reported, "which signifies the perception of an object in a non-habitual way, and the action of contemplating an object as if it were something else, in order to renew its meaning and experience." 

The present lot, the Rei lamp, features three "shields" made from Ayagami Kozo paper gilded with white gold and specifically draws formal elements from a traditional Japanese doll who appears to juggle her hats.