Accordéon Table by Marc Sadler for Slamp. An inspired process of fabrication for lamps with sartorial effects
They call them “Seamstresses of Light”. They are the women who are experts in “tailoring” the materials treated by Slamp, who with their skills are capable of transforming a sheet of Lentiflex® technopolymer into a pleated surface like that of a fabric or accordion. As in the case of the Accordéon collection designed by Marc Sadler as a suspension lamp and now also available in the new table version. The processing method introduced for the first time by Sadler entails Lentiflex® being heated until it reaches the “softening point”, a state in which it can be manipulated to acquire its characteristic appearance and draped without losing transparency, brilliance or resistance. Just as happens in the processing of a fabric, they explain at Slamp, “the soft and silky aesthetic effect of the diffuser is not attainable by using any machinery or tool, but only with the delicacy, care and passion of the careful hands of our workers.” Sartorial, architectural virtuosity (as for Cordoba or Dome), or inspired by the world of nature (as for the new Veli Foliage and Lafleur models) is the DNA of the lighting company. without neglecting practicality and simplicity of maintenance. In the case of the Accordéon Table lamp, for example, the shade and base are fitted with a magnetic connection and two independent bulbs to allow easy cleaning and double switching.
At a glance
What is it?
A graceful and delicate lamp, with a sartorial look but created by a new method of processing technopolymers.
What is the design concept?
Accordéon grew out of Marc Sadler’s exploration of the infinite possibilities offered by Slamp technopolymers. Whether it recalls the pleating of a fabric or the bellows of an accordion, this collection marked the start of a new contemporary narrative strand for Slamp, a combination of design, fashion, craftsmanship and technology.
How is it made and with what materials?
It has a base made from an outer layer in Cristalflex® and two layers of Lentiflex® beneath, with a handmade Lentiflex diffuser®.
How is it produced and where?
It was devised the Slamp production plant in Pomezia, on the outskirts of Rome, where the company has been based for more than 25 years. Its hand-crafted production method was first introduced by Marc Sadler, a designer with great experience in experimenting with materials, and developed by Slamp’s research and development department and the expertise of the operators who work on the collection by hand.
What skills are involved in its production?
Lentiflex® , the material used to make the diffuser, is heated to the “softening point”. When the technopolymer reaches this physical state it is possible to manipulate it to give it the draped aspect characteristic of Accordéon, without any loss of strength or brilliance.
What makes it special?
Each piece in the collection is unique because it is made by a manual process that transforms a technopolymer sheet into a lamp with a brilliant effect, aesthetically resembling glass and crystal, yet light and unbreakable. The magnetic attachments of its components and the independent switching system make it practical.
What is it like?
Inimitable, poetic, sartorial.
How does the designer describe it?
“I can’t deny that Accordéon table lamp has a lot of Degas’ danseuses in it. With the earlier Accordéon suspension lamp, the theme of pleated fabric was clearly in the air, but to characterize this elegant yet so finely ‘technological’ table lamp, and with a taller technopolymer shade than before, my memory jumped to a whirl of plissé, taffeta, ribbons, frou-frou transparencies, swirling skirts and ballet flats.”
