2009
NEPTUNE'S NECKLACE LIGHTING INSTALLATION ARRIVES IN USA
David Trubridge and the Team are excited to say that Neptune's Necklace, David's newest lighting installation, now graces the Westfield Fox Hills Shopping Center located in Culver City, California. It is a hanging light sculpture 6.4m (22 feet) in diameter, with a series of bench seats underneath. The lights, which utilize a low-energy system, were designed and made in New Zealand by David Trubridge Design and the six seats were carved in Montana from salvaged Oregon Pine Tree trunks left standing after forest fires.This exciting new project was made possible through a collaboration with Urban Art Projects
BAY OF FIRES WORKSHOP
Every year, as part of the DesignIsland festival , Arts Tasmania invites an overseas designer to run a retreat workshop. It is held at an eco-lodge in one of the most beautiful and remote parts of Tasmania, the Bay of Fires. Mid-career participants are selected from across Australia by local Arts Councils. In May 2009 David Trubridge was asked to host the workshop and he came with his partner Linda as co-host.
To read David's writings from this workshop click here
MILAN 2009
THE STORY
The Three Baskets of Knowledge is a new lighting installation, which was on show for the first time at Superstudio Piu in Zona Tortona as part of Milan Design Week. Click here for a Film about this show by Davide Calafa.
In the mythology of the New Zealand Maori, after the creation of the earth and life on it, the demigod Tane was sent up to the heavens to receive the knowledge that mankind needed to live on earth. The ascent was a great struggle against adversity, but once he was admitted into the heavens he was given the knowledge in three baskets or kete. Descriptions of the contents vary, depending on the telling, and are freely open to interpretation. You can gather your own knowledge.
Kete Aronui, knowledge of the earth and the natural world, which is for all (body).
Kete Tuauri, our rational knowledge, which we keep for ourselves (mind).
Kete Tuaatea, knowledge of the spiritual world, which we give out for others (spirit).
These three need to be in balance to live harmoniously on earth. Currently our rational knowledge is dominating our spirit and empathy for the earth. This installation suggests a redress to a balanced state. The three lights shine equally on the earth, overlapping at the centre in harmony.
We believe that if design today does not contribute towards a better way of living, it is both irrelevant and irresponsible. Our vision is to be able to promote ideas more than products. We do not create a new form to seduce you into buying something you do not need. We tell stories to nourish and to spread wisdom. This installation is created to feed your mind, your body and your spirit – to give you something to think about, to connect you to nature, and to nourish you spiritually.
THE DESIGNS
KETE, 2100mm Height x 850mm Diameter, 7w LED spotlight, Designed by David Trubridge, and developed by Amy Lynch
Kete Aronui: 1.5mm caramelised bamboo plywood, hand sanded PETG upper part, plastic clips.
Kete Tuauri: aluminium, hand sanded PETG plastic upper part, aluminium rivets.
Kete Tuaatea: hand sanded polycarbonate, hand sanded PETG upper part, nylon clips.
TANIKO LIGHTS - 800mm Height x 210mm
Taniko is designed by David Trubridge, and developed by Phillipe Bajard, an intern student from ENSCI design school in Paris, France. Traditional patterns in Maori weaving for cloaks and clothing are called taniko. Made from 1.5mm natural bamboo plywood and nylon cable ties. One low wattage CFL light in each for maximum energy efficiency and long life.
Wall light versions (sconces) are also available. The shapes are designed so that their layout on a sheet of plywood fits perfectly, and the only waste is the sawdust from the cutter.
CRADLE
The open basket of the lights makes such a perfect hanging cradle that we just had to make it. If the baby wakes, her movement rocks the cradle which sends her back to sleep. It is made from bamboo plywood and plastic clips. The terry quilt is made from 90% bamboo and 10% polyester. 'Cradle' is not yet in production.
SUSTAINABILITY
We have done all we can to minimise the harmful effects of this installation. It is not enough – it is not yet sustainable. But we are always trying to improve. All the parts were carried in our luggage and assembled here. We purchased carbon credits for our flights. The entire exhibition was freighted in two small luggage boxes (shown onbellow), which was less than 10% of the volume of one of the several pallets of brochures from our neighbour. Which material is the best? It is hard to quantify – how do you put a number on the feeling of connection to the natural world from wood, which is so important in sterile cities? Each basket is made from a different material to represent its contents, but also to highlight their relative impact on the planet.
MATERIALS
Kete Aronui is bamboo, which is truly sustainable, but it is freighted a long way from Asia. Its waste cannot normally be recycled. Plants take carbon out of the atmosphere and, as long as they are not burnt, keep it out. Bamboo plywood requires glue.
Kete Tuauri is aluminium, which is a very expensive material to make, but the cheapest to recycle. About 60% of new aluminium is recycled and all our waste is recycled. If we can lower demand so that we have enough aluminum it becomes 100% recycled and an excellent material. That requires abandoning the mad need for growth!
Kete Tuaatea is PETG. Plastic uses 1% of the oil produced and is a by-product of fuel. Plastics can be recycled (and all our waste is) but quality goes down. So this plastic is virgin. But if it can be 100% recycled, will it be better than wood?
The Taniko lights use 8 and 11 watt Eco-bulbs and the Kete use one 7watt LED spotlight each. The entire exhibition uses less energy than one normal incandescent light bulb
