Progress Update: Strangler Fig Lampshade

As a brief overview of my project, I’m creating a lampshade that will look like a strangler fig tree. See my second post (Beauty in Death: Strangler Fig Lampshade) for more information on my inspiration for this project and initial design ideas.

[2] Purchased Lamp and Shade                 [3] Patterned Design Template

This past week, I collected resources for the project and started planning out what pattern I’ll use to simulate the entangled aerial roots. I found a suitable lamp and lampshade from Goodwill (shown above) and purchased a lightbulb from Home Depot.

     [4] Lampshade With New Ring Connection                    [5] Mounted Lampshade

One issue I encountered was that the washer/ring used to center the lampshade on the lamp didn’t fit properly. To resolve this issue, I cut the ring that came pre-attached to the lampshade and replaced it (via superglue) with the washer/ring piece that came with the lamp. After making this adjustment, the lampshade now fits with the post properly (the above images show the lampshade adjustment).

After some experimentation, I decided to descope my project to exclude a projection of the root pattern when the lamp is turned on. Unfortunately, the lampshade breaks up the light passing through it enough that even when an object is placed directly on the lampshade, you can’t clearly make out a discernible pattern. A projection could be achieved if you cut the fabric of the lampshade such that the light shines directly through the gaps in the tree. For the purposes of my aesthetic, I think that having the center of the lampshade glow with the surrounding branches dimming the light it puts out will provide the effect I’m attempting to portray. The glow would represent the life within the tree, and the dampening of the light would symbolize the life being drained from the tree as a victim of the strangler fig.

[6] Lampshade Extension

Last week, I received comments recommending that I redesign the lamp post itself. Based on these comments, I brainstormed a few ideas to help breakup the disparity between the lamp and lampshade. Considering the project timeline and how different designs will interact with the light given off from the lamp, I’ve decided to use colored construction paper to extend the lampshade lower (leaving less of the lamp exposed). I think I’d also like to incorporate some overhang of the roots past the lampshade, which would further aid in hiding the lamp post.

Another aspect of the design up for debate last week was the tree canopy. I worried that the canopy would block too much light. After experimenting with the lamp, I’m ok with it not producing much light because I expect my project to be viewed more as an art piece as opposed to a functional lamp. In addition, the lamp may shine too bright (and the bulb may be in the direct line of sight) if it isn’t covered from the top, so adding a canopy could effectively resolve this issue.

Next week, my goals are to create the wire/mesh pattern of the roots, begin applying aluminum foil to form the 3D shape of the roots, and build the lamp canopy (done over the course of the next 7 days). This would leave about 5 days to apply the papier-mâché and painting it in order to finish the project.

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