Form Plus Function

Ingo Maurer Oh Mei Ma White



Contemporary lighting is generally characterized by simple, clean lines and an overall uncluttered look.
Being the style of the present, contemporary design is, however, dynamic and constantly evolving and allows room for lots of
creative ideas of the moment. Contemporary lighting is therefore a lot different today than it was 50 years ago when modernism
was in its infancy and there was a clear focus on pure functionalism.
Today we see a vibrant mix of creative ideas in contemporary lighting that reach from urban chic to industrial functionalism,
Tuscan charm to stark minimalism.
Contrasts are welcome. We see stainless steel paired with crystals, handmade paper with concrete and other eclectic mixes
of textures and materials.
Track lighting and recessed lighting are frequently used to light a room in contemporary style, accompanied by individual "Wow"
pieces like a contemporary chandelier with a sculptural presence or a striking floor lamp.

Ok, so there are people, who take photos of castles and wildlife on their trips, I get carried away with – light fixtures. I walk into a store or a restaurant and just have to take pictures! Munich was a paradise for me. Great lighting EVERYWHERE.

This cafe in Munich had a row of one of my favorite pendant lights over the counter: The Brera pendant light.

Shaped like an Ostrich egg  the Brera pendant light from Flos takes its name from an altar piece by Piero della Francesca from the Pinoteca di Brera in Milan. The egg hanging over the virgin Mary’s head is probably the most famous egg in the entire European art history.

Achille Castiglione designed the Brera family of lights that includes a pendant, a wall light, and three floor lamps  in 1992 when he was 74 and still fully active in his  creative career.

The Brera does not just stand out for its name. It is a beautiful classic piece with a strong presence. It has an  acid-etched opaline glass diffuser that distributes the light in a very even manner.

The top diffuser support  has its own unique profile that lends a graceful quality to the overall design.  The casually draped cord adds its own charm to the Brera Suspension.

This design masterpiece was designed by Achille Castiglione in 1992 and has found its home in many residences, offices , restaurants – and cafes all over the world.