Hiih Gallery Handmade Paper Lights

click thumbnails for larger pics

Putting together yesterday's Weekend Guide, we came across Portland-based Hiih Gallery's handmade paper lights for the first time and fell hard. Wow, these lights are gorgeous—more like sculptures, really, than lamps—and they're handmade from start to finish, using natural materials including local beeswax and walnut dye. Of course the artists do a good deal of commissioned work, but many designs are readily available for purchase, and even for event rental. Imagine how magical at an outdoor wedding! See more after the jump...

Many of the Hiih (pronounced "Hi Hi") designs resemble natural forms, mostly marine and floral-inspired: pendants that dangle like jellyfish or seaweed; ceiling fixtures with paper petals layered around a bulb to give an ethereal glow. The artists make their own paper, dyeing it with soft colors and sometimes embellishing with paint.

Visit Hiih Gallery's site for many more photos, and for purchasing and rental information. Bay Area residents can meet the artists at Berkeley's Metro Lighting on Friday, April 24, from 5-7pm and Saturday, April 25, from 10am to 5pm.

Comments (6)

Oh my god! Are those the same lamps from this previous AT post? Finally!!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/house-call/house-call-crescent-heights-going-away-party-los-angeles-075272

posted by Alexis9 on April 17th 2009 at 8:56pm
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Haha Alexis9, "Oh my god!" was my same reaction. These are AMAZING! I'm absolutely in love with the first one, these are little slices of whimsical fantasy heaven.

posted by sarrazak on April 17th 2009 at 10:21pm
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The work is beautiful, but there is absolutely no indication on the website or the associated Flickr group how much an average light would cost. I hate that.

posted by storyscribe on April 18th 2009 at 11:43am
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Yeah. What's the price range...hundreds or thousands?
Beautiful.

posted by Betian on April 19th 2009 at 10:31am
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So in love with these. I would love to have!! Sure they are way expensive though.

posted by Botany on April 19th 2009 at 4:25pm
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Betian - I used to live down the street from their gallery, and IIRC the lights ranged from $50 to $400, depending on size, intricacy, etc. That was a few years ago, though, so the prices may have shot up in the meantime.

posted by FiatLex on April 20th 2009 at 1:36pm
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