Foscarini
93
Caboche
Gregg
Binic
Plass
Buds
Nile
Filo
Madre
Gioia
Chiaroscura
Foscarini
Chap. 2 — The defi nition of an identity
its use of materials, shapes and colours
which are completely different from the
original design.
This skilful restyling of the classic table
lamp also continues in the design of the
more recent Nile model (2021), which,
compared to Buds, emphasises its specifi c
function as a decorative lamp by choosing
the combination of glass and marble as
materials. Pairing these two different
materials is reminiscent of what the designer
previously accomplished with Lumiere by
combining aluminium and glass. Nile is a
sculptural shape resulting from the merger
of two intersecting volumes which appear to
defy the laws of gravity: a hand-blown glass
diffuser, open on either side, and a polished
black or matt white marble base. The base
and diffuser, with their different inclinations,
are successfully linked together thanks to an
invisible game of weights, positions and
joints that creates a dynamic overall effect,
where the technological component,
although present, is not perceived, as
visually smaller as the presence of a cable
and a lamp holder. Regardless of the
geometric abstraction, the composition
is somewhat subtly fi gurative and iconic,
so much so that the designer himself stated:
“When I looked at the item, it reminded me
of the famous bust of Egyptian queen
Nefertiti; this is what inspired the product’s
name: Nile”.
Sketch showing how the light is cast up and
down from both open ends of the large blown
glass diffuser.
About shedding light
Nile /2021 — design Rodolfo Dordoni
93
Rodolfo Dordoni pictured in his studio in
Milan in 2021 with one of the fi rst Nile lamps.
