Carbidlamp 1940 - 1945

This is J.C. Nienaber's 'Carbidlamp'. Its unassuming form hints at its powerful role in illuminating the darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The lamp's cylindrical body surmounted by a straight pipe evokes a sense of uprightness and forward gaze. Consider how similar vertical shapes--columns, obelisks, spires--have been symbols of strength and enlightenment for centuries. Just as the lighthouse pierces the night, so too does this lamp fight against the darkness, a universal symbol of ignorance and fear. The lamp reminds us that the creation of light is not merely practical but also a deeply psychological act, reflecting our primal need for understanding and clarity. This lamp is more than a tool; it is an assertion of human intellect against the obscurity of the unknown.