One day I sat there thinking about my younger days and what I missed the most. It was the simple family outings that were most prominent…I miss those days. Often my family and I would visit the pasarmalams (night markets) where we would casually stroll around soaking up the sounds of hawkers pushing their wares, music playing loudly from portable cassette players, laughter of children, the smell of food being cooked at the roadside stalls…it was a feast for the senses.
Almost everyone in those days used pressurized kerosene lamps, it was the norm. At dusk it was common sight to see stall owners preparing their kerosene lanterns. It was like a ritual, pressurizing the tank via the hand pump, striking the match, preheating and adjusting the pressure…and finally…light. The lamps were used everywhere. Not only were they necessary as a light source but they significantly contributed to the mood and environment of the pasarmalam. The humble kerosene lamp…without it there would have been no pasarmalam for me and my family.
Kandil is my modern day interpretation of the humble kerosene lamp which aims to capture the essence and spirit of the original lamp which is seldom seen today. Reminiscent of the original, one has to charge the lamp by pumping…periodical pumping is then needed to maintain light which is now powered by a cleaner and more sustainable power source. Primarily made from wood, Kandil reflects a craft-like approach encompassing a certain texture, richness and heritage, suggesting a link between who we are and what we have. For the old it should bring back memories and perhaps for the young it will be a new experience to be remembered.
Kandilo is the sibling which utilizes the more conventional incandescent light source…softly glowing…never forgotten.
‘Kandil’ was designed for the “Imprints: Designing from Memories” exhibition by The Little Thoughts Group held at the National Museum of Singapore (4 Dec 2010 – 1 Jan 2011).
Lee Leong Chye is one of the founders of the Singapore based product design collective ‘Little Thoughts Group’.
Following the success of their first product design exhibition in 2009, the Little Thoughts Group featured their second exhibition entitled “Imprints: Designing from Memories”. The exhibitionwas held in collaboration with the Singapore National Heritage Board with the theme revolving around the exploration of heritage and culture in product design and the notion of “Singapore Design”. Take a ride back in time and marvel at how the wonderful memories of 19 designers have been creatively renewed into innovative modern-day keepsakes.
