Page of Proposal for Lighting Fixtures 1911

This is a Page of Proposal for Lighting Fixtures made around the turn of the century by John S. Bradstreet and Company. The marks and notations on this proposal look like they were made with a typewriter, the designs, however, are lovingly hand-drawn. There’s something very satisfying about the materiality of this piece, the way the paper has been folded and worn. The artist has included lots of information, which seems very pragmatic, but the handwriting, the quick but elegant sketches of possible light fittings, are playful. Look at the bracket on the right hand side. The attention to detail is lovely. The physicality of the pen on paper in that particular flourish makes me think of Hokusai and his sketches. It's these small moments of care and attention that give the piece its warmth and depth. Ultimately, it’s the fact that this is an ephemeral, working document that elevates it from a design document into a work of art. It celebrates the everyday, and captures a moment in time.