In 2014 Brazilian designer Claudia Moreira Salles was invited to produce a series of pieces that would blur the line between art and design for an exhibit at the gallery Luciana Caravello. To bring the designs to life, Claudia partnered with jewelry designer Marina Sheetikoff and lighting brand Lumini and several months later a series of six morphologies were born.

The collection centers around the idea of simple forms and raw materials all lit up by LEDs. Bases are comprised of demolition woods such as mahogany, ipe, and riga pine. The scaffolding is brushed copper and the shades and reflectors are created from a rare niobium metal, specifically selected for its ability to achieve an intense variety of colors sans the use of dye or paint. The unique color treatment is achieved via the process of anodizing, in which metal is placed in an acid bath and hit with electrical currents (see video below). The specific colors arises from the particular voltage applied. So fascinating an really that perfect mix between art and design.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER – Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1955, Claudia Moreira Salles graduated from Escola Superior de Desenho Industrial in 1978. Soon thereafter she took a job at the Industrial Design Institute of the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro prior to moving to São Paulo where she worked for the renowned Nanni Movelaria while simultaneously establishing her own design studio in 1988. Today Claudia designs for a variety of Brazilian brands including Casa 21, Dpot, Firma Casa, Bertolucci, and Etel Interiores.

Sources: Lumini,  Espasso, CasaVogue