Award of Merit:

Edward Linacre Studio and Danielle Brustman for Meteorite

Meteroite is the first major collaboration between Edward Linacre and Danielle Brustman, created as 1 of 5 finalist pieces selected in the Australian Furniture Design Award exhibition, as part of Melbourne Design Week by the NGV.

About the Project

Meteorite is a modular illuminated sculpture, design to adapt to any space. The sculptural form is inspired by the trajectory of a meteorite’s fall from outer space and the transformation into cone-like shapes as it passes through earth’s atmospheric layers and eventually collides with the earth’s surface. Meteorites entering the Earth’s atmosphere encounter intense heat that melts, erodes and reshapes them into conelike, aerodynamic forms that aid their travel towards Earth. The varying angles of the cone-shaped meteorites dictate the direction and flight path in which the cones travel. At 35 degrees, the cone will travel through atmospheric layers in a straight line whereas a cone with an 80 degree angle will fall from side to side. 

The light is a poetic response to these dynamic encounters and refers subtly to speed, light, geometry, physics and transmutation. Along with drawing inspiration from these events, the design speaks to the notion of adapting and changing form to optimize circumstances in flux. Unlike any other time we have lived through, humans are being forced to shapeshift and adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions. These past two years have forced us to adapt and change our lives dramatically to survive as a species. Frighteningly, this may be asked of us more and more as we move further into climate change and resulting ramifications on our planet. 

Both metaphorically and literally speaking, we are being forced to shapeshift and adapt swiftly. This piece offers a metaphor for the audience to consider our position on the planet and to provoke ideas pointing towards conscientious and adaptive ways of living and being. The scale of the object has it’s own effect in a space, felt and seen only by standing next to it. The piece towers over a human and has an effect of making one feel small. This tangible and physical experience of scale supports the conceptual premise of the work by reminding us how small and vulnerable we are as humans on the planet. 

The cones meet at a central point as do two colour spectrums which indirectly suggests a moment of impact, perhaps a meeting of atmospheric conditions and a meeting of ideas. The geometry is repetitive where shapes and subtle chromic shifts illuminate the theatricality and performative aspect of design objects within domestic space. 

The unique colour gradient of the light is informed by colours found in cosmic and astral spectrums. In exploring colour palettes for this piece we have imagined a colour spectrum that a meteorite might pass by on its journey through outer atmospheres towards Earth. We have incorporated hues drawn directly from scientific space photography and interpreted them in my selection. 

Apart from the German Tridonic LED module, 100% of the components of Meteorite are manufactured within Victoria, and all materials are 100% recyclable.

Category: Use

Designers and Project Team:
Danielle Brustman
Edward Linacre