Lamp by William Aitken
WILLIAM AITKEN AND
William Aitken lived in his car for a ; year. ‘lt had a telly. cooker. double . bed — all the luxuries of life.‘ What kind ofcar was it? ‘A deux chevaux. I used to jaunt all over in it. When I was at college I redesigned the interior ofthe car so you could live in ' it.‘ Nothing like basing your work on i life‘s experiences. ‘I thought it would be useful for students. Unemployed ‘ people need a fixed address to collect their dole cheque. so unfortunately it wouldn‘t be much good to them.‘ I Aitken‘s project illustratesthat i
design need not necessarily have an s élitist tag. ‘I‘m interested in the other ! side ofthe market too‘. he says. But for many designers. particularly those who are not able to make up their own designs for practical reasons. even getting to the prototype stage can be difficult without money. Many are forced to leave this country, which has yet to
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realise the full potential of its exhibition. part of Glasgow Style designer talent throughout the consumer spectrum. and take their work elsewhere to more enlightened places— Italy being in the forefront. Trained at (‘arlisle. Dundee and Glasgow School of Art. Aitken himselfis offto Australia in two weeks with a new portfolio of work l
piece that might not look immediately functional. But as he explained there are reasons to illuminate other than reading or finding your way. Standard lamps
As the Glasgow Style Exhibition gets under way at the
Third Eye Centre, The List talks to four designers, each with their own special contribution to the city’sreputation.
DESIGNS 0N GLASGOW
Fortnight. Aitken is leaving behind a
and street lamps do that. His lamp relaxes. creates an atmosphere. ‘A light to be in at the end of the day.‘ he
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says. Lifting up the stone ball which is cool and pleasant to hold. releases a halogen light which repeats the sphere on the ceiling and fills the room with moonlight. ‘1 really enjoy this one myself.‘ says Aitkcn. ‘which is rare because I'm always wanting to go on and develop.‘
llis ‘Flagstone‘ is a thoughtful lamp. showing great sympathy towards hectic modern life and providing a calm focus for our interiors. It is this search for understanding the lifestyles of today and the way we see our environment which is the trademark of the young designers.
The MA course at (ilasgow School of Art is part of this new wave of thought and after only two years under the guiding hand ofJulian Gibb (designer with Memphis. Milano. journalist and critic for Design and other specialist magazines and course leader) is already making its impact known.
Janice Kirkpatrick was on the course. as was William Aitken. She
The List 17— 3o ()ctobefi1