Dear curious reader,
Lately, I’ve been hit with a wave of extraordinary talent from whoever that passes through here. I never saw myself as someone who had any special gift. Always been a follower, law abiding, individual who loves organisation, spreadsheets, structure. You tell me what you want, and I’ll make sure the operation runs smoothly. I move within the confines of a system. I don’t dream big. I don’t think I know how to dream big. Sky is the limit? What’s that? Unless you count cleaning and packing the same things over and over again a work of art. Then maybe yes, I have some skills I guess.
Maybe it’s the way that witchy books have wormed their way in my heart this halloween season, allowing me to see that every single person possesses a kind of magic that you simply cannot replicate. But you know what the most insane thing is? That they shrug it off and say that it’s no big deal. It’s simple really, but my question is this - how do you look at something, as basic as paper, and come up with something so enchanting?
(photo credits: sam)
Pei Zhi is a researcher by day. I’m convinced, she is paper witch by night. We had a lamp hanging by the foyer that came with the house when we took over. Scratches and holes, it had run its course. We thought about changing it, but it’s also the first thing that illuminates your path. The power of a warm welcome. All the lamps we’ve seen fell short. It was time to replace it and yet nothing seemed quite good enough. Still, we had to take it down, stripped it till its metal skeleton and asked if she had any ideas.
“I can try” she said. The audacity to downplay her attempt to fix it because not only did she managed to retain the initial structure that had already fit the space, she elevated it. Breathe new life into something we thought was a gone case. Same, same but oh so very different. Here’s where the magic begins.
Unless illuminated, it is simply a plain garlicky shaped lamp. When night falls, and you want to leave the light on for when you return, it glows in the most spectacular way. The intricate veins of every crinkle, every crimped edge is magnified. At first glance, it’s like confetti. Your average terrazzo pattern. Reminiscent of our kitchen counter top and it dawns on you that it's meant to be a reflection of that. Maybe it is.
On second glance, it’s goldfish weaving through the algae in a pond. Or at least, that’s my interpretation of it. I don’t want to tell you what to see. The beauty of this entire thing is you’ll take away what you want to. How it’ll make you feel. How long you want to linger before you notice a new detail you haven’t yet discover. Just that this is here now, and it is my new favourite feature because today, this is what I see.
ash
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