Matt Silverman

Illuminating Timelessness

This piece exists as a four-part exploration of the notion of “timelessness”—an ideal which was prevalent in the Vignellis’ ethos. Attempting to measure timelessness is an exercise in relativity. A lifetime for a fruit fly only amounts to a calendar month or two. Take a relative, metaphorical step back and you have the duration of a human life, while another step yields multiple generations. This is where we find our first point of exploration—the human perception of timelessness, paying homage to the Vignellis’ work in the form of a modern, design/ color-appropriate lamp base.

Yet another step back reveals a bird’s-eye view of the entirety of human existence—past, present and future—a mere blip in comparison to the lifespan of the earth. This geological perspective of timelessness is represented by the lamp’s shade. Glass is composed of elements organically occurring in nature. Through its rough, irregular forms, the lampshade is intended to feel as though it were unearthed, rather than crafted—paying homage to naturally occurring examples of glass like fulgurite and tektites (byproducts of lightning strikes and meteorite impacts respectively).

An opaque, crusty, blackened shell in lieu of a traditional lamp shade may seem counterintuitive. However, the intention is not to eliminate light but rather to selectively designate focal points for its reveal. Upon taking another theoretical step back—this intangible, glimmering light represents timelessness from a cosmic perspective. Within the timeline of the universe, the lifespan of the earth is comparatively minuscule. Ironically the same sun that grants life, will ultimately engulf the planet, if something else hasn’t destroyed it prior.

If you were to take one final step back beyond space itself, there’s nothing left but the inescapable end to all things. The light of the bulb will inevitably flicker and cease, and one day so too will the notion of timelessness, which concludes this exploration.