Handmade Portraits: Lightexture

Pazcal

Story by Pazcal

Published on Oct 12, 2010 in Shop

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(Sound by Marcy Hokama; Music by Rouslan Karimov and King Dancer)

Ceramics by Artist Sharan Elran

I’d like to think of this as a film about romance. I set out to shoot a light-hearted tale and much to my surprise, found a love story instead.

Yael Erel and Avner Ben Natan were in the same class in high school and never gave their relationship much thought. Then life separated them: she became an architect in New York City and he traveled the world, living in the Himalayas and then at an old summer camp in Israel, surrounded by a pecan field, campfires and an outdoor kitchen. A couple of decades later, Yael came for a short vacation to Israel where she and Avner met again at a New Year’s Eve party.

“He was living in a fantastic, surreal environment,” Yael describes. “Then, we met for dinner under a full moon in the field he called home. Avner was living on his own terms. It felt like the right way to live — having your latte in the middle of the field. His philosophy was the less rent you pay, the more time you gain! How can you make more time for yourself to do what you want to do? That was why I was shocked when he decided to come live in New York.” “For me,” recalls Avner, “it was the furthest place where I could imagine myself. It is a creative place with numerous talented people. There are so many people living together in peace and it’s inspiring. For me, New York was a good transition to make art.” Together, they both explored their creativity, even creating a band together — their music, created with band mate Rouslan Karimov on glockenspiel, accompanies this film.

HP_lamp.jpg

Steamlight Desk Lamp by Lightexture

But the inspiration for their partnership began when Avner decided to make a bedside lamp for Yael from a vegetable steamer. With her expertise in architecture, they began making more complex lamps. It wasn’t long before they established themselves as Lightexture. Now they share a studio, building lighting fixtures and light installations. Occasionally, they draw upon the talents of a very talented ceramic maker, Sharan Elran. Their lighting fixtures are intriguing and touching, and are like little creatures spreading a warm and intimate glow with extraordinary shapes. Light connects people, elements, and even life.

When i came to film, they had a baby who couldn’t wait to come out. Amit was born at 31 weeks — 9 weeks before he was supposed to — weighing 1000 grams (2.2 pounds). Avner and Yael were making constant trips to the hospital, where Amit was under medical treatment to help him breathe. As of this blog post, Amit has been released from the hospital. He has returned home with his little oxygen supply and his parents sing to him all day long. They are continuing to make light.

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