A sparkling lighting collection, inspired by the flamboyant energy of Las Vegas
Italian artisanal manufacturer, MASIERO releases a glamorous new contemporary classic light collection called Vegas.
Nikaya is a designer and artist based in Berlin. With strong interests in materiality and the social dimensions of design, she is drawn to innovative projects which challenge existing processes and perceptions.
Vegas by MASIERO reinterprets iconic glass and metal art deco lights through marrying classic styling with contemporary construction techniques.
This collection is all about luxury and high-end. It is very in tune with the contemporary but also emanates a timeless quality. As the name suggests, this collection was inspired by the bold, eye-catching styles and flamboyant energy of Las Vegas.
The minds behind Vegas – Marc Sadler and MASIERO
The Vegas collection is the result of a collaborative effort between lighting design firm MASIERO, and industrial designer Marc Sadler. MASIERO is a lighting firm based in northern Italy, where its range is created completely in-house by skilled craftspeople.
Marc Sadler is a French citizen who was born in Austria, and currently resides in Milan. Having graduated in 1968 from the ENSAD in Paris, he is an industry veteran whose career has taken him across Europe, Asia and North America.
Sadler’s eclectic background and technical design prowess mean that today he works as a design consultant for a variety of companies across numerous industries. His work has been recognized with many international design awards, including four times being the recipient of the Compasso d’Oro ADI.
He is well known for pioneering innovative uses of materials. His design for a recyclable thermoplastic ski boot was released by Caber, developed and then patented. It went on to spend years as the most widely sold ski boot in the world. You can also find examples of his designs in the permanent collections of the MOMA in New York and the Beaubourg in Paris.
Materials & Techniques – Glass and metal come together by an invisible connection
This lighting collection brings together the two materials which are key for MASIERO: glass and metal.
Rows of transparent glass strips are perfectly positioned and attached around a metal structure. The creation of invisible eyelets and an ultraviolet gluing process allows the strips to be held in place without the need to drill the glass or use visible screws.
The bases, stems, and internal structure are made from metal which has been beautifully gilded in champagne gold leaf. Customers can also order other metal finishes to suit the look they desire.
Illumination comes from LED strip lights that run along with the frame and sit behind plexiglass to ensure it is easy to clean. Most models have dimmable LED lights.
Style & Aesthetics – Elegant and precious
This is an opulent and refined collection. The use of soft gold and a clear textured glass succeeds in giving it the desired classical feel.
The strips of glass look much like ice, but also precious and jewel-like when lit. It is sculptural and there is a sense they are suspended delicately on the exterior of the lights.
The band of the inner metal structure provides the lights with a clean geometric form. Seen through the glass strip the metal has a lovely rippled gold effect, which adds depth. This is most striking on the curved vertical wall lights where the light shines from behind on both sides.
Special heat process creates ‘rock’ effect glass
Each individual glass strip is completely unique. The ‘rock’ effect is created using a special process that deliberately deforms the thick glass pieces using heat. They each have a similar feel with imprisoned bubbles of air, yet no two will deform in precisely the same manner. It is a technique which the designer says gives the glass “an emotional allure that refers to the workings of the great glass masters.”
Design Memento – Commit to a concept and develop it thoroughly
The Vegas collection boasts an extensive range of individual pieces. The design of the overall collection is strictly unified through materiality and the repeated use of curved rows of the glass strips nestled over a gold band.
Pendant styles are available in single lights as well as circular clusters of three or five lights. The single pendants range from 12cm all the way up to 60cm in diameter, and the largest cluster is 80cm in diameter. Rows of pendant lights in rectangular alignment come with three, five, or seven drops. There are also variations with multiple vertical tiers. The longest piece is 175cm in height, with a fine and elegant 27cm diameter.
To stretch the length of dining tables or for use in billiard rooms, choose from sweeping oval shapes with vertical glass strips, or long tubular forms that run horizontally and echo the tiered drops. The collection also includes curved vertical wall lights and ceiling variations, plus an oval table lamp.
Experimentation and commitment to the design concept allowed this collection to be developed into an array of very refined shapes. This makes the range extremely versatile for use in both commercial and residential settings.
The writer’s comment – Sculptural and dramatic
The Vegas collection is dramatic and won’t take a back seat. It unashamedly wants to draw your attention but does so with a refined pizzaz.
Its strength as a collection lies in the range of individual shapes, which allow the creation of unique lighting compositions. The scale and variety make Vegas perfect for grand sculptural installations which will easily become the focal point of any space.
