Philosophical design
Storytelling adds depth and emotional added value to the design.
How was the idea conceived? Why these materials? How does a volcano in Iceland end up in a Belgian design story? Why the flashback to the 12th century? Read the story of the Katla here: how a myth is transformed into a lantern.
Katla is a design by Gilles Knaepen for Dôme Deco. He has a distinct vision of design: modesty enhances the product. This means minimalist shapes, understated colours, and timeless materials. The product becomes fascinating because of its background story. Then you discover the added value: the philosophical reflections on the design (process), the personal passions and experiences. The overarching theme illuminates how a dualistic perspective leads to a harmonic unity. One plus one equals three.
The lantern transports you to the mysterious landscapes of Iceland and the active Katla volcano. Its eruptions are attributed to the evil ghost of a woman from the 12th century. In short: Katla had magic trousers, or was it a belt? This allowed her to run at lightning speed. Then came the theft of the trousers/belt. Katla tracked down the thief and in a fit of rage, drowned him in a barrel. She put on the trousers, fled and disappeared without trace. According to tradition, into a crevice in the glacier. When the Katla volcano once again spews out lava and fire, this myth does the rounds again. The volcano erupting is a fit of rage.
This story places the Katla hurricane lamp in a different light. The circular metal structure alludes to the mountain, the open section to the crevice in the glacier. At the peak, the candlelight burns in a cylinder with an open top. All this symbolises the volcano eruption, the fire, the crater, even the caldera (a partially collapsed crater). The metal structure surrounds the glass cylinder, creating a height difference. You can use the same volcano to explain the materials. Glass, ice, metal, cold, fire, etc. Nothing is arbitrary
The Katla is available in 3 sizes and 2 shades for the metal and glass. You can put candles in it – and a flower arrangement. This too makes reference to the volcano: green (a fern) is the first sign of new life on cooled lava.
