- 30 -
- 31 -
The Calathea collection – An ode to Nature and New
Beginnings
The leaves of each of the Calathea species have different
shapes, distinct curvatures, that best suit their needs of
sunlight.
Many subspecies in the Calathea family are known as
“prayer plants” because their leaves open and close
throughout the day, in a movement reminiscent of
the joining of human palms in a prayer or meditation
posture.
The pieces of the new collection intend to transmit this
subtle, elegant, and delicate movement, through the
different curvatures presented by the leaves of these
plants. It is these curved lines that, as in Nature, make
each of the pieces of the new collection unique, that
give movement to the pieces and bring them to life. In
this new collection, each leaf is unique, different from
all the others. They are reflections of the uniqueness
produced by Nature, in which each leaf carries its own
“fingerprint”, unrepeatable.
In addition to movement, the shapes and textures of
the Calathea’s leaves are also particularly distinctive
elements of these plants and one of the reasons for
choosing this botanical species. Some species, such as
the Jungle Velvet, have leaves with a velvety texture,
that helps reduce the surface area exposed to the
elements, and that gives them a soft and delicate touch.
These traits are transversal to the entire new collection,
in an alliance between delicacy and uniqueness.
The path defined for the Calathea collection goes
beyond the art and design created for each piece. Our
intent was that this collection would serve as a model of
awareness and example as to why we should not think
of Nature as something infinite and endless, but as a
living organism that, if not properly cared for, may end.
More than the inspiration for the collection, we want
Calathea to be an inspiration to a new beginning and
an environmental awareness that should be part of our
daily life and existence. And this has been a constant
concern, not only for the design team, but for all of
Serip, which has always kept in mind this important
message.
How it all began
In a time when all the news showed that Nature was
recovering in the absence of humans, with the reduction
of air and road traffic, Calathea came to my mind, as a
symbol of strength and resilience, but also of delicacy
and sophistication. And, thus, blossomed the idea of
creating a collection that would have Calathea as the
protagonist.
The creative process began with a few sketches.
We wanted, above all, to capture and replicate the
movement of the foliage, instead of having something
INTERVIEW WITH
- MIGUEL PALMA -
DESIGNER
flat and static. We decided to complement and support
the Calathea leaf with some branches, whose shapes
came from samples taken in the same forest where the
inspiration for this new collection first came to me.
In all of Serip’s creations, the aim is to craft a stylized and
often even more realistic representation of Nature and
all its organic elements. We often say that we look at the
development of pieces as if we were making a sculpture.
Only then do we devote our attention to lighting sources.
What are the distinguishing features of the pieces in
the new collection? What colors and shapes make up
this new collection?
I think the most distinctive features are fluidity and
movement. The constant interweaving and segmentation
into thinner trunks give the pieces an uninterrupted sense
of continuation, as if the form is continually growing or
being born anew. It’s curious, because the name Calathea
conveys the notion of a “fresh start”, “turning over the
leaf”, which is what Calathea does naturally when it’s
dark. It’s customary to give this type of plant to those
who are starting a new stage in life. The name of the
plant evokes the notion of a new beginning.
Our pieces are more than just lamps or works of art: they
are a fusion between the artistic, the beautiful and the
utilitarian.
