Annie Tung
Title:
Eclipse
Concept Statement:
Eclipse is a collaboration between ECAL and Vacheron Constantin. As an ECAL student, I worked with Swiss craftsmen Vincent Du Bois to give a traditional practice a contemporary perspective.
I was interested in finding the balance and/or limits between traditional marble sculpting techniques and technology. At the same time, my aim was to apply my background in metal-smithing to lighting design. Recent technological innovations have made the process of working with marble easier and more accessible to artists and designers, resulting in a marble renaissance.
Inspired by the world of textiles and traditional ‘transparent’ veil sculptures carved in Carrara marble, the “Eclipse” table lamp explores the boundaries of marble properties in a contemporary context and aesthetic. The marble graduates from a thick base to an extremely thin edge that folds like a flexible material. The form appears to be under tension by the metal rod that houses the LED light source, giving the illusion that it is literally bending the marble.
The crystalline marble is from Ticino, Switzerland and was chosen for its lunar-like lustre and infrequent use.
Project Specs:
Approximately ø 300mm, 150mm deep. Hand-carved crystalline marble, copper and brass is shaped, soldered and chrome plated. One part of the electrical is soldered to the copper 'cup' with one wire cable running down the brass tube. 3W LED light.
Bio:
Native to Toronto, Annie Tung graduated from Ontario College of Art & Design University. Upon graduation, she participated in a three-year artist-residency program at Harbourfront Centre’s Craft Studio, one of Canada’s leading cultural institutions in the heart of Toronto. Following her passion for fine, detailed objects with a poetic perspective, Tung pursued a Master in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship at École Cantonale d’arts de Lausanne (ÉCAL).
Annie’s practice is process and research based coupled with a sensitivity for materials. Through design-craft objects and drawings, she makes work that straddles the line between design/art, functional/decorative; contemporary designs that combine delicacy and strength.
Annie has been the recipient of 15 industry awards and grants for her work. She has exhibited in Canada, USA, South Korea, Germany, UK and Italy; her work will be part of London Design Festival at the Victoria & Albert Musuem 2015 and Maison et Objet Paris 2016.
Country of Origin:
Toronto, Canada/Lausanne, Switzerland