In a remarkable convergence of traditional artistry and contemporary sustainability, the PET Lamp project, under the visionary guidance of Spanish designer Álvaro Catalán de Ocón, has introduced its latest collection, "Gurunsi." This initiative masterfully reinterprets the ancestral basket-weaving heritage of northern Ghana, particularly from the vibrant community of Bolgatanga, transforming it into striking modern lighting installations. For over 14 years, PET Lamp has been dedicated to integrating discarded PET bottles into these rich weaving traditions, creating a unique design language that respects cultural roots while addressing environmental concerns.
Ghanaian Artisans Weave New Narratives in Light
The "Gurunsi" collection draws its profound inspiration from the indigenous Frafra weaving techniques and the distinctive architectural forms characteristic of the Gurunsi people's adobe-and-branch compounds in northern Ghana. These lamps beautifully echo the organic, undulating shapes and rhythmic construction found in these traditional structures. Each piece is meticulously crafted by master artisans from The Baba Tree, ensuring that every lamp possesses a unique character, with subtle variations in pattern, curvature, and tension that unmistakably bear the mark of its creator's hand and the inherent beauty of hand-woven basketry.
Central to the innovative design of each woven lamp is a recycled PET bottle, which is not merely a symbolic addition but an integral structural component. This bottle ingeniously serves as a conduit for the electrical wiring, allowing the light source to be positioned beneath the woven surface. When illuminated, the light delicately permeates the intricate weave, casting fascinating textures and shadows that become a focal point, rather than the light fixture itself. As de Ocón articulates, the "Gurunsi" collection introduces a novel typology to the market, one that skillfully plays with both light and shadow, creating the illusion of a large, floating fabric that projects captivating shadows onto the ceiling.
This innovative approach represents a harmonious blend of environmental consciousness and cultural preservation. By ingeniously incorporating plastic waste into functional art, PET Lamp provides a practical solution to a pressing global issue, all while upholding the profound integrity and timeless techniques of traditional weaving. The PET bottle transcends its original purpose, becoming a crucial connector that unites material, structure, and illumination, enabling these exquisite lamps to shine without compromising the authentic essence of the craft. Through this project, ancient skills are celebrated and given a new lease on life, demonstrating how design can bridge past and future, tradition and innovation, in a truly luminous way.