The Lamp Series

I've fallen in love again. A vintage magenta lamp has left me reeling with 14-year-old-crush feelings that hit me in waves. The unsteady, clunky wobble adds to it's charm. The gaping, jagged crack that leaks light is instantly forgotten in the warm glow of two orbs. The metallic sound of the key-like switch that 1) turns both lamps on, 2) only the top lamp, 3) only the bottom lamp, is dainty and polite. This lamp is the leading lady in any room, So begins The Lamp Series.

I saw the lamp at "Buppy's," during the annual garage Christmas party two years ago. It had come from Eddy's home, a close family friend who had just passed away. Even as under appreciated as it was, sitting on Bup's work bench that was glittered with oiled tools and auto parts, it burned vibrantly. Maybe it was this contrasting, first impression that won me over. The lamp went home with Dad that night, where it was lost for one full year until I found it again, crammed in the dark, jumble of the basement. I brought it back to 28 state with me. In my room, it is perched. I found myself taking photos of it. admiring it. Leaving the bottom orb on at night just so that I could wake up to it. Thinking about it at work. Missing it even.

My sage green walls surround the magenta color. The nine ornately engraved silver serving trays, pinned neatly on the wall to the right, partner the brass trim. Donnie's 4 x 4' study of cool tones and relativity stands against the left wall, on my dark brown wooden work bench, dialoging with the lamp all day long. An over sized mirror stands at the lamp's attention on the opposite side of the room. My white baby dresser is directly behind the lamp, reflecting the magenta color even more. Then the floral. The hand painted beach roses around the orbs are so delicately wrapped around, and like fluid. Yellow and pink blossoms. gracious and lovely. The sound of how the porcelain feels: hollow, fragile, smooth.

Then I moved it. On top of my record player. on the kitchen table. the bookcase! in the pantry! It didn't matter where it was moved, the lamp would completely transformed every room in a similar way a good daughter does to any father. Exactly like that. softening. gleaming. complimenting.

The lamp has an ability to correct any surroundings. space. Contradiction in the environment: uneven ceilings, dirty radiators and barren walls are alleviated aesthetically by a magenta gem mined from the 1930's. Wild. a wild love affair not for the faint hearted. one large triptych of the dinning room. one dual portrait of the lamp and a chair. a large portrait. a large close up. will set up in the stair well. maybe the bathroom too? and maybe in the empty china cabinet. cant be an odd number though... another dual portrait with the plates too? yeah. yum.