Truant may not have a definitive signature
style, due to adapting collections based
on the clientele's specifications, he does
manifest a signature ethos; an adherence
to originality. “The important thing for me
is to propose models and not follow a trend
slipstream already marked by others,” he
says. “The problem is that many small and
medium-sized companies are waiting for
a 'leader' company to trace the path and
then cue up to follow in their wake when
they see that a trend is profitable. If you
have projects that are not in the fashion
loop, these 'follower' companies will never
develop a project for you.”
Dogmatic obedience to trends does not
occupy Truant’s thoughts, rather, he strives
to find his own path and build an alternative
fashion trend, which may be more appealing
to those looking to separate themselves
from the crowd. If there was a current
stylistic model that the designer follows,
it would be an exploration of researching
archetypal, simple forms with traditional or
new materials. He expands upon this notion:
“I love light with gradient shades, or a linear
lighting system rather than a spotlight. I
like to take forms from the past that came
from our imagination, such as the armillary
spheres, giving them a contemporary flair.”
In terms of creating alternative trends while
still exploring stylistic and technological
trends Truant is interested in, he emphasisesthe benefits of designing luminaries using
a modular system due to the “variations in
measurements, shapes and types of light
that it allows.” In addition to this, he is a
strong advocate for the use of LED and OLED
due to the way it allows for an enriched
perception of light.
Truant emphasises his vision for the future
telling darc that he has future plans to
collaborate with product designer Noa
Heim on light installations. However, his
immediate plan is to continue working on
a number wall lamps for hotels, Bricky and
Shot, and on table lamps Bougie and Ghos
Candle that make use of a rechargeable
battery.
When asked what he believes are integral
elements to good interior design, Truant
continues: “The key elements are always
the same: attention to the customer’s needs
and budgeting restrictions, but with the skill
and authority to inject their own elements
of creativity and create something unique.”
For Truant the study of light is both a
rational and logical process, but also one
that borders the threshold of hopeful
fantasy. “Light is an impalpable material,
closer to dreams than any other material,”
he says. “We insist on studying it as a
phenomenon - that is good, but if want to
understand it and use it we must dream it.”
Instagram: @lorenzotruantOpening spread The Dawn pendant produced by Intra
Lighting is a subtly elgeant luminaire with a hidden
LED strip allowing for a pure light diffusion.
Next page. 1&2. The Futon by Intra Lighting recreates
a circular perimeter of light with sound absorption
panels at its core. 3. Olympic for Fabbian, a ring of
light that is both direct and indirect. Sufficient by
itself, but enhanced more so when chained together.- Armilla, also for Fabbian, which makes use of
glass blowing techniques and meteal rings to support
the lamp. 5. A closer look at Dawn in situ. 6. Levitas
is Truant's latest project in waiting, a bubble of
transparent glass that magically holds a sphere of
white light inside.
This page A closer look at the award-winning Dawn
pendant made in collaboration with Marino Furlan for
Intra Lighting.
042 INTERVIEW