Members Only
Please join as a member and click "Members Only" to read more complete articles and exclusive content.
Beyond Aesthetics: Unearthing the Deeper Philosophy and Emotional Flow of Light and Shadow
Immersed in near-total darkness, the visitor steps into an exhibition where subtle sources of light pass through delicate black mesh, creating a gentle, immersive glow. Each nuanced expression and posture is clearly projected against a crisp white backdrop, as the contours of faces and muscles are magnified by their shadows. Suspended by fine wires, these beautiful faces sway in a silent dance, shifting between a sense of intimacy and an inexplicable strangeness. Through their delicate interplay of light and shadow, these pieces capture the emotional threads that connect individuals to one another. Moving through the carefully orchestrated exhibition path, one gradually uncovers the evolving perspectives of Spanish artist Arturo Alvarez—from his reflections on the environment to the transformation of his creative vision.
A Passion for Nature and a Dialogue of Light and Shadow
“In my case, it’s impossible to separate emotions from past experiences, travels, or all the meaningful conversations I’ve had. Ultimately, I internalize everything and express it in the form of sculpture.” Indeed, in signature works such as Leria and Human, Arturo Alvarez employs stainless-steel mesh and metal components to examine the dynamic relationship among light, shadow, and personal sentiment. His luminous sculptures bristle with vitality, often probing the complex ties between nature and human perception. Drawing inspiration from Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Bauhaus, Alvarez’s practice transcends aesthetics to illuminate the invisible bonds among all things—awakening deeper emotions and reflections within each viewer.
Alvarez’s affinity for nature was evident from an early age. Influenced by his grandfather, a carpenter, he began carving his own wooden toys, thus making wood a lifelong companion. Intrigued by how natural elements evolve over time—much like people do—he channels this fascination into his art. Equally captivated by light and its interplay with shadow, color temperature, and ambiance, Alvarez found further inspiration in Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows, prompting him to explore the ongoing dialogue between brightness and darkness.
Throughout his creative process, Alvarez maintains a craftsman’s ethos while weaving humanistic values into his design concepts. Guided by curiosity, he sought a material that would allow light both to filter through and to reflect. After extensive research, he developed the groundbreaking Simetech®, a material offering extraordinary plasticity. Together with painted stainless-steel mesh, wood, and polycarbonate, these mediums enable him to craft singular, hand-made sculptural artworks. Beyond pushing the limits of conventional lighting design, Alvarez pursues sustainability in every facet, intent on forging an emotional resonance between light, shadow, and the human psyche.
Endless Possibilities in Art and Design
Known for his fierce independence and relentless pursuit of innovation, Alvarez refuses to be confined by conventional frameworks—a stance reflected in his career trajectory. In 2014, feeling overwhelmed by commercial lighting demands, he realized the need for greater creative freedom and fresh professional challenges. Delving into diverse techniques and materials, he began to address the humanistic themes he had always cared about, using light and shadow to evoke emotion. Take the Leria Table lamp: a metal mesh dome rests on a circular platform, with electromagnetic principles allowing the sculpture to float and rotate endlessly. In the process, the mask’s eyes seem to open and close in a playful dance of reflection. Meanwhile, the Human Chandelier represents a collective of individuals joining forces to project light, investigating concepts such as communal strength and tribal unity.
“I never transitioned from designer to artist—I’m simultaneously a designer, artist, and craftsman,” Alvarez says. Preferring not to be labeled, he instead draws on multiple domains that inevitably shape and inform one another. From early decorative-arts-inspired lighting to the fusion of geometric forms and feminine imagery, and finally toward today’s deeper explorations of interpersonal relationships, Alvarez’s three-phase evolution has naturally propelled him into a position of global influence. His novel lighting sculptures have garnered worldwide attention, underscoring the harmonious coexistence of art and design.
Exploring Natural Materials and Abstract Forms of Expression
Alvarez’s works shine in numerous international venues, ranging from galleries in Barcelona, Madrid, London, and New York to Michelin-starred restaurants, the Harvard University library, and leading corporate offices worldwide. Presenting his sculptural light pieces across cultures has spurred him to reflect on diverse traditions, infusing his art with a knowledge-based ethos of respect and inclusion. For instance, when referencing certain Eastern cultures, he recognizes that depicting human figures demands deep reverence—an insight that steered him toward more abstract expressions, albeit ones still anchored in natural elements.
In 2024, OSTI Lighting presents Light and Shadow, Alvarez’s first major exhibition in Asia. The show traces his journey from a youthful preoccupation with the natural environment to the evolving introspection that now characterizes his work, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in light as a medium for emotional flow—a silent yet profound resonance of the soul. Ever-curious, Alvarez acknowledges that he seldom charts a defined path: much like the natural elements he admires, his work progresses organically. Even so, he envisions ongoing experiments with new materials and a gradual embrace of more abstract forms of personal expression.
