Like all of willowlamp designs, typically lighting and chandelier designs, this art piece was designed by Adam Hoets and handmade by skilled artisans in Cape Town, South Africa from our signature, patented ball-chain system using durable natural materials mainly steel sheet-metal and metal beaded chain.
Willowlamp was tasked with interpreting and re-imagining the design intent at the original flagship Cathedrale restaurant in New York, based in East Village and which is well known for its theatrical décor. In particular the wire mesh ceiling installation that was installed at the New York venue, created by the Italian artist Eduardo Tresoldi. The background inspiration for the flagship restaurant was from The Fillmore East, which was originally a synagogue that became a theatre and then a movie venue. Iconic Rock ‘n Roll legends went there before big venue culture started, which was why the themes of the church, cathedral, theatre, and glamour come through in the interior design in an abstracted sense such as graphic interpretations of posters, textured walls, dramatic draping to achieve a sense of gritty materiality throughout the space.
This idea of a Theatrical Rock venue inside a glamorous Cathedral was to be one of the main driving themes that informed the design. This potent brand concept was the key to creating the heightened sense of drama for this restaurant experience. What inspired me was an understanding of how one’s surroundings are more than just a backdrop but are inextricably linked and connected to and heighten the theatre, drama and events of our everyday lives. We created two designs for this project. The main dining piece is 12,8m x 3.9m in area and the bar piece is 9m x 2.6m. Between them they use approximately 60,000m (60km) of metal beaded chain and combined weigh 3.5 tones!
