Octo lamp 2005

Seppo Koho crafted this Octo lamp, and it lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The form of the lamp reminds me of a gourd, or maybe even a hot air balloon. Imagine Koho in his studio, carefully selecting each strip of wood, bending and shaping it just so. What kind of mood was he in while he was making it? Was he listening to music? Did he labor over the construction? Look at how the thin strips curve, allowing light to peek through the openings. I'm fascinated by the way Koho balances the solid and the void, creating something substantial out of seemingly delicate parts. It reminds me of the way Eva Hesse approached sculpture, with a similar emphasis on repetition and organic forms. There’s a conversation happening between artists, across time and space. Each one building upon the ideas and innovations of those who came before, isn't it nice to think about? This lamp is not just a source of light, it's an invitation to see the world in a new way.