6
Some things in life happen unexpectedly. And sometimes
something that is supposedly unimportant goes on to
become something really big. When Walter Schnepel came
across early woodcuts by the artist Wilhelm Wagenfeld
in 1976, he knew nothing about a lamp that would lay the
foundation for his company TECNOLUMEN.
Whether it’s about lights, silverware,
door fittings or rotary switches;
the focus is always on high quality.
Manufactured in Germany from
high-quality materials and with
diligent craftsmanship, it is true to
the original and made with the
same dedication and enthusiasm as
nearly 40 years ago.
WA 24 is a table lamp that was
designed in 1920. Its captivation lies
in its reduction to its basic elements,
making it elegant, functional,
uncomplicated and also timeless.
And undisputedly, it is one of the
most famous Bauhaus objects
today.
Walter Schnepel discovered it
during one of his many visits to
Wilhelm Wagenfeld’s studio. It was
simply standing there, gathering
dust, and it had no manufacturer.
“Why had he never had it produced,”
Schnepel asked. Wagenfeld replied:
“Why don’t you do it?” And this
is exactly what Walter Schnepel did.
This was by no means an easy task,
since the production of lamps
had never been a part of his portfolio
until then. However, he did know
everything about asserting himself.
Although suppliers were unreliable
and furniture stores were not
interested – nothing could deter the
art collector from selling the lamp.
Some technical changes had to be
made and cables and sockets have
been changed over the decades.
Details had to be adjusted, and each
change first had to be approved
by Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Eventually,
250 pieces were produced.
And nobody showed any interest.
He placed advertisements in the
art magazine ART and in SCHÖNER
WOHNEN. Within only three weeks,
the lamp was sold out. This is
what one calls a promising start.
In 1980 Walter Schnepel founded
TECNOLUMEN and started serial
production.
Today TECNOLUMEN is one of
the best-known manufacturers
of original Bauhaus models. The first
edition of WA 24 was followed
by various versions, in addition
to co-operations with other Bauhaus
artists. Establishing contact was
not always easy. With Marianne
Brandt, for example, only an indirect
form of exchange was possible, as
her home was in Eastern Germany.
Despite all this, Walter Schnepel
secured the rights to her works –
and as a token of his gratitude, he
sent the Wilhelm Wagenfeld lamp to
GDR museums in individual parts,
which were cleared by customs
without being unnoticed. Her and
others workpieces, such as the
BST 23 floor lamp by the Hungarian,
Gyula Pap, or the HP 28 ceiling
lamp by Hans Przyrembel have
meantime become collector’s items.
And this was not limited to the lamps
alone. Founded in 2002, the sister
company TECHNOLINE offers
door and window fittings, switches
and supplementary accessories –
designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld,
Walter Gropius and other Bauhaus
designers.
”It’s this symbolic character of the
Wagenfeld lamp that fascinates me most.”
Walter Schnepel
