Transmission is an illuminated wall mounted sculpture which creates different effects depending on the use of its integral lighting, external illumination or both.
By day, the piece has a distinctive character where surface reflections play a dominant role and mesmerising visual distortions alter the sense of depth. By night, the piece takes on a new identity when illuminated; it is transformed into an interplay of shadows and light.
The piece was designed and made by David Tragen and takes his passion for flowing, curved forms to a new level. It was inspired by the Op Art movement and in particular the curve paintings of Bridget Riley. “I wondered what would happen to the waves in her early work when they left the canvas and how I could play with the 2D visual illusion by introducing a third dimension.”
The name, ‘ Transmission’, comes from the movement of wave energy, flowing out from the centre and then dissipating as it progresses to the edge of the concave surface. It also refers to how gentle ambient lighting is created from its central ring, travelling outwards over the peaks and troughs and beyond. It is made in cold cast bronze (a mix of resin and bronze) or cold cast aluminium and measures 425 x 425 x 80 mm.
The light diffuser is cast in semi-translucent resin with a pearlescent finish and the warm white LEDs provide gentle ambient lighting similar to that provided by a 25W incandescent pearl light bulb.
The piece is suspended from a stainless steel back plate and can either be hard wired directly into the mains or plugged in with the decorative cable and knurled metal cable holders on show.
Transmission is handmade and made to order by the British furniture designer and artist in his rural workshop in Cheshire, UK. He is also available for bespoke commissions.
