There has always been a strong connection between our state of being and the light that accompanies it. Closely related, I believe they support, enhance and complete each other, like the lyrics and the rhythm of a song. Light sets the tone of our thoughts and the intensity of our heartbeats.
Imagine yourself in a room where the light is strong, luminous, icy. Our mind immediately travels to a state of alert, activeness, and concentration. Harsh and cold, our mental and physical state respond and adapt to it quickly, waking up our senses and becoming aware of every stimulus.
Now picture yourself surrounded by a soft, warm illumination. Subtle, golden and even hazy. Our head transports itself to a feeling of cosiness. Almost hugged by the light, we feel serene, relaxed. We find an instance for our thoughts and for ourselves only. At that moment, where the light is gently beaming around you, bringing a tender gleam to the room, and we’re accompanied by our activity of choice, calm fills not only the space, but our systems.
Whether it is with a movie, a book, a TV show, a conversation with your loved one, a cold drink, a hot tea, a fun snack or an intricate meal, calm comes in all its shapes and forms, in all its varieties and typologies. A touch, a sound, a visual, a taste, a smell. But, whatever trigger it may be, they all flow into the same sea of serenity.
A universal sensation experienced by all of us, we feel at ease when our surroundings and our bodies come together and converge in a gentle harmony. Our thoughts slow its pace, our articulations loosen up, and as the light becomes hazier, our heartbeats do too. We can unwind and enjoy a moment where the rest of the world shuts down. Like the light of a candle that slowly consumes itself, our bodies decompress and rest to its core. Under that exact premise, Item: Enso and Atelier Marquardt have conceived their new collaborative collection, One More Hour. Composed of four sculptural limited-edition candleholders, the series honors the life of a flame – letting it burn fully, without waste.
In One More Hour, candlelight is meant to be lived in, and lived with, until its very end. Cradling the last inch of wax, the collection honors the ritual of hosting, extending the fleeting moment when light still dances, and finally dies off. Like the light that hosts our calm and brings us to our deepest nature, here, each piece explores the interplay between ceremony, decay and design – an ode to presence, patience, and the slow burn.
