Lamp

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Fernando Laposse as part of Nature by Design: Cochineal.

For Lapossse, locality and historical context take center stage in every object he designs. Here, he explores the rise and fall of two important Mexican commodities—cochineal and sisal by recovering the beauty and utilitarian qualities of each material. Once widely used for a variety of goods, cochineal and sisal fell into disuse with the invention of chemical dyes and plastic. In this whimsical lampshade, sisal, commonly employed for ropes and fishing nets, is transformed by the cochineal dye typically reserved for the most sumptuous fabrics to produce a delicate balance of color and textures.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Nature by Design: Cochineal.