Douglas Fanning Introduces Light Mobiles in Brass
Tapping into his fascination with interpreting architectural concepts into physical form, designer Douglas Fanning’s latest exploratory work adds a new material, brass, to his portfolio and celebrates the intersection of invention, function, and couture design. Launching next month at an event in San Francisco’s Coup D’Etat furnishings gallery, the sculptural Mobile Series, Brass Edition is composed of the designers’ minimal Light Blades that cast light both downward and upward to create soft pools of illumination on the ceiling. The series, a result of two years of development, is entirely hand-made in Fanning’s Brooklyn studio—a commitment to quality that is unique in the industry.
“We’re all about relentless creation, always building something new,” says Fanning. “We refuse to lower our standards. We’re not trying to create something ‘sellable,’ we want to create something that people care about.”
Suspended from a minimal stem and canopy and available in single, double, or triple tier configurations, the piece is composed of long blades with hand-milled channels for housing the LEDS within. The Light Blades—made from brass and also available in black and white—can rotate to form different silhouettes, and a range of size options makes the piece even more customizable.
“This minimal, linear style is a common element of my work, and springs from my architectural background,” explains Fanning. “We’re careful not to over-express; simplicity and beauty speaks for itself. These pieces represent the functional space between cutting-edge design and art.”
The Light Blades used in this piece are a refined adaptation of Fanning’s Light Poles, reflecting the long term evolution of his work. The new Mobile Series, Brass Edition is available through the Jean De Merry showrooms nationally as well as Coup D’Etat in San Francisco, CA.
About Douglas Fanning
Brooklyn-based architect-turned-maker Douglas Fanning has been developing exploratory and functional creations for more than 15 years, collaborating with top-tier design companies on artistic furniture, lighting, and architectural pieces for clients including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Diesel Jeans. Douglas opened DYAD, his architecture and fabrication studio, in 1994 after receiving his master’s degree from the Graduate School of Architecture at Columbia University, bringing more than 20 years experience in fabrication and prototyping to the design and manufacture of home and architectural products.
Infusing his architectural perspective and a tirelessly inquisitive spirit into everything he creates, Douglas Fanning’s projects speak to his commitment to building things the right way, rather than the easy way. A teacher as well as a designer, Douglas has taught at Rhode Island School of Design, the University of Pennsylvania, The University of the Arts, and Parsons School of Design. Learn more at douglasfanningdesign.com.
