Desk lamp c. 1935 - 1940

Peter Pfisterer’s Desk Lamp is made of metal and other materials; it’s an example of how artists are working with industrial materials, almost playing with them. It’s all about how things are put together. The way that light interacts with the materials is so important here. Look at how the glow from the lamp is both diffused and contained by the metal casing. The cylindrical form creates a soft, even light, while the metal frame provides a stark contrast. It gives off a cool, almost futuristic vibe. The lamp uses simple shapes, like rectangles and cylinders, and arranges them in a balanced way. It reminds me of the Bauhaus movement and the idea of form following function. It’s like Pfisterer took the basic elements of a lamp and distilled them down to their purest form. It’s a conversation about design, utility, and the beauty of simplicity, like a conversation between generations of artists and designers. It's a great example of how art and design can overlap, raising questions about how we live and work with everyday objects.