Shiro Kuramata was only 56 when he died in 1991. Today his work is recognized as some of the most representative and creative of international design. An example of the enormous acclaim Kuramata received both at home and abroad is the distinguished Ordre des Arts et des Letters he was awarded by the French government in 1990. While his designs followed neither Western nor Japanese precedents, they did reflect a certain Japanese aesthetic. Kuramata was truly a pioneer in contemporary design.

During his creative life, Kuramata produced more than 180 furniture forms. Although he used numerous subjects and materials, one very important facet of his work was his preoccupation with "opposing" or "eliminating" gravity.

The lighting fixtures that he developed in 1972 give an impression of a white cloth placed on the ground. It represented a revolution in lighting, with each of the light shades differing slightly in shape from the others. The light appeared as a piece of cloth rising of its own accord, seeming to defy gravity, while successfully replacting the image of a cloth with light itself. Every piece is individually formed. The process involves four craftsmen, who are specially trained to shape this unique design.

UL Approved. One 60W incandescent bulb, medium base. Shade is Acrylic, opal color.

Item		Description		Highbrow price
U-S-472		k-mama lamp		$780
U-S-473		k-baby lamp		$480