Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, the creative minds behind the design firm Roman and Williams, have long infused their creations with personality and warmth, often describing their light fixtures as family members with unique charm and quirks. Their profound dedication to lighting design, cultivated over 22 years, is now celebrated in an extraordinary exhibition in New York titled “A Certain Slant of Light.” Housed in a Queen Anne–style warehouse, the installation highlights the duo’s innovative designs while paying homage to the elegance and complexity of light itself.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Designers: Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch
Location: Queen Anne–style warehouse, 6 Harrison Street, New York
Exhibition: A Certain Slant of Light
Firm: Roman and Williams Guild
Inspiration: Emily Dickinson’s poetry
The exhibition centerpiece is an awe-inspiring presentation of 100 meticulously crafted lights from Roman and Williams Guild, the studio’s product division. Suspended from the triple-height ceiling, these fixtures transform the space into a cosmic tableau reminiscent of a star-filled night sky. Each piece in the collection possesses its own distinct narrative; for instance, Woodrum emits a weighted presence with its wooden slotted shade, and Oscar, with its brass finish, exudes an approachable and vibrant disposition. Standefer and Alesch’s work is a testament to their ability to blend aesthetics with engineering—a dynamic combination they are passionately drawn to.
“A Certain Slant of Light” is not just an exposition of exceptional craftsmanship but also a poetic reflection on the changing seasons. Standefer, inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poetry from her college years, found the exhibition title within the evocative descriptions of light in Dickinson’s works. This seasonal motif enhances the experience, offering visitors a radiant escape from winter’s bleakness, enveloped by a canopy of luminous designs that conjure the enchanting ambiance of an illuminated night sky.
The exhibition includes a suite of newcomers alongside the iconic established designs, introducing pieces such as the Axil pendant, an exquisite cousin to the Oscar, featuring glass diffusers and a vintage-crafted polished brass shade. The collection also boasts the Seed, with its rich aubergine glass contrasted against a robust cast-bronze chain, and the elegantly carved Petra pendant of alabaster. Additionally, the Dahlia table lamp, with its classic alabaster shade, embodies a timeless aesthetic that would resonate with Dickinson’s refined sensibilities.
“A Certain Slant of Light” invites the public to experience this mesmerizing harmony from the heavens above, free of charge. Visitors are encouraged not only to admire the lights but to engage with the artfully curated environment by lounging on Roman and Williams’s furniture. This interactive element fosters a serene space for contemplation, harmonizing the design pieces with the soft, ambient light streaming through the historic arched windows, symbolically capturing the fleeting beauty of nature’s transitions at 6 Harrison Street.
This exhibition stands as a celebration of Roman and Williams’s illustrious journey in the realm of lighting design. It captures the duo’s dedication to exploring the interplay between art and functionality while affirming their role as luminaries in the field. Alesch and Standefer’s collaboration brings forth an enchanting narrative of light that is not only seen but felt, a crafted universe where each design is more than a fixture—it’s an engaging character in their ever-expanding “family tree.”
