Designer Arik Levy opens two shows in California

A closer look at the many white, neon lights and their cables. It resembles a neuron network.
’Between fire and ice’ installation by Arik Levy at the Luminescence exhibition at Santa Monica Museum of Art. Photograph by Kelly Barrie/SMMoA
(Image credit: Kelly Barrie/SMMoA)

Industrial designer, Arik Levy, is having a very busy May indeed with two shows opening simultaneously in California.

Kicking off the Levy love-fest is a light show at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. 'Arik Levy: Luminescence' distills his fondness for the abstract, not to mention his background in dramatic stage design, with a presentation of light sculptures made from unexpected materials.

Like up-ended bunches of flowers, clusters of thin fluorescent bulbs dangle over polished stainless steel table that, in turn, reflects the light in dazzling shards. From certain angles, the entire piece resembles a magnified snap shot of an overactive neuron network, an electrical energy of storm as one reviewer put it. We'll admit that it's probably not the most energy-saving lighting source for your average bachelor s pad, but 'Luminescence' is nothing if not eye-catching.

Over at Sunset Boulevard, the Eighth Veil gallery is the stage for Levy's 2008 collection 'Absent Nature' in which he continues his explorations with the raw, rock form. Blurring the line between furniture and art, the series of irregularly hewn blocks are made from blackened wood, stainless steel mesh and stainless steel that's been polished to a mirrored sheen.

Many white, fluorescent bulbs are hanging from the ceiling and scatter the light across the room.

The floor and bench reflect and scatter the light across the room. Photograph by Kelly Barrie/SMMoA

(Image credit: Kelly Barrie/SMMoA)

A closer look at the many white, fluorescent bulbs and their cables. It resembles a neuron network.

From certain angles, the installation resembles a magnified snap shot of an overactive neuron network. Photograph by Kelly Barrie/SMMoA

(Image credit: Kelly Barrie/SMMoA)

A closer look at the many red, fluorescent bulbs and their cables.

Another of the three ’Between fire and ice’ installations, made from thin flourescent bulbs. Photograph by Kelly Barrie/SMMoA


(Image credit: Kelly Barrie/SMMoA)

White papers with black geometrical shapes drawn on them are displayed on the wall. There is one black and one reflective asymmetrical structure on the floor.

Works from Arik Levy’s ’Absent Nature’ collection, on show at Eighth Veil. Photograph by Ben Goddard

(Image credit: Ben Goddard)

A series of asymmetrical structures are set on the floor. The light from the window casts a shadow on them so they all look black.

The series of irregularly hewn blocks on show are made from blackened wood, stainless steel mesh and stainless steel that’s been polished to a mirrored sheen. Photograph by Ben Goddard

(Image credit: Ben Goddard)

Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.