The SL1 is a floor lamp constructed from folded aluminium plates, designed to combine structural stability with a refined finish. Its proportions are defined by the leverage of the base, allowing the lamp to stand in perfect balance while carrying a subtle, dynamic tension in its posture. The aluminium is hand-sanded to a fine texture, giving the material a tactile quality that contrasts with its inherent strength.
Beyond its technical construction, the SL1 is shaped by two intertwined origins. The first is personal: a tribute to my father. Its presence is large and powerful, yet—through the delicate balance of the base—it stands just in equilibrium, with an underlying fragility. This tension between strength and vulnerability evokes his presence.
The second origin lies in the material itself. Aluminium shows dual qualities — strong and raw, yet light and nuanced. It also carries an intriguing industrial history: large-scale production began, among other developments, after the discovery of bauxite in 1821 in Les Baux-de-Provence, a tiny village in France. The discoverer of this ore was Pierre Berthier—a man about whom very little is known today. This place of origin is part of my ongoing research, including plans to visit the site and make sound recordings with sound artist Adriaan Severins.
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Aluminium, hand-sanded and waxed
H 190,7 x B 25,2 x L 60,7cm
Photos SL1 ©Stephanie De Smet