[2] Strangler Fig Growth Animation
A strangler fig is a parasitic plant typically found in a dense, tropical environment. It evolved to adapt to the nutrient competitive environment by entrapping its victim with it’s ariel roots, limiting growth and stealing it’s nutrients. As the host tree dies and begins to rot away, the aerial roots of the fig remain, leaving a beautiful intertwining pattern forming a hollow cylinder.
[3] Hollow inside of the Strangler Fig [4] Example of Lamp Shadow
My upcycle project aims to display both the beautiful and deadly aspects of this tree by replicating the intertwining pattern on a lamp shade. When the lamp off, the beautiful pattern of the fig will be in full effect. However, when the lamp is illuminated, light will only shine through the cracks of the fig’s roots, leaving the room with an eerier feeling and showcasing the darker side of this plant (similar to the design displayed in the image above). This aesthetic stood out to me because I enjoy finding beauty in nature. I recall being both captured and perplexed the first time I saw one of these trees while hiking, and I now fail to refrain from climbing them every time I pass by.
[5] Example of Lampshade [6] Drawn Example of Strangler Fig Pattern
For this project, I anticipate finding a lampshade that is cylindrical/conical and white/soft white from GoodWill or other thrift store. If I cannot find a suitable lampshade, I will make it using a thick gauge wire and recycled/second hand fabric. For the aerial roots, I will attempt to replicate wrap a similar pattern to the one I drew above around the lampshade. I plan to make this root system out of either papier-mâché or clay. If I make it out of papier-mâché, I will use wire to trace the pattern of the roots, then create the general shape of the roots using aluminum foil. After establishing the general shape of the root, I’ll cover the aluminum foil in painter’s tape to make for a smooth surface. After applying the papier-mâché to the tape (using a water, glue, and recycled paper mix), I can dry, sand, and paint the surface. On the other hand, if I make the root system out of an air-drying clay, I would use wire to trace the pattern of the roots, before covering it in clay and shaping/texturing it to my liking. Once shaped and dried, I could then paint the roots.
[7] Possible Recycled Material Options
An addition I may choose to make is adding the canopy of the tree to the lampshade as well. I’m not sure if I want to incorporate this element or not because I worry that without it, it will be hard to identify the roots as belonging to a tree, however, if I add it, it may dampen the lamp’s light too much. A work around for this could be to add fairy lights in the canopy of the tree. That way the fairy lights will make up for a loss of light from the lamp. If I make the canopy, this will also be made of wires extending from the top of the lampshade. I’ll then glue a recycled green fabric in bunches to the wires or use green painted/translucent recycled plastic (e.g. from disposable water bottles) to the wires to give the same effect.
Citations:
[1] Kelly Goetsch, 2024, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kellygoetsch_theres-something-deeply-poetic-about-the-activity-7097177609452613633-rGLd/
[2] Denny Lesmana, 2023, https://dennylesmana.medium.com/what-is-the-strangler-fig-pattern-1560443b8459
[3] Trees of Um, 2015, https://umtrees.wordpress.com/2015/10/20/strangler-fig/
[4] Michael Molitch-Hou, 2013, https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/trick-of-light-transforms-room-into-eerie-forest-with-3d-printed-lamp-cover-16874/
[5] Lux, N/A, https://www.luxlampshades.com/products/plain-linen-empire-retail
[6] Drawn by myself
[7] Carole Zeller, 2021, https://www.naturalhomebrands.com/blogs/wacky-wednesdays/wacky-wednesday-most-recycled-items
[8] Wikipedia, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangler_fig
4 Comments. Leave new
Hi Eric, this idea is sweet! I’ve never seen a plant like this so thank you for teaching about the strangler fig. The way this parasitic plant has evolved to to this is super interesting and creates very interesting plant shapes and patterns. I’m excited to see your final lampshade and I really like that the lampshade will actually cast patterns into the room. Do you plan on doing anything with the lamp itself or just the lampshade?
Hi Cole, thanks for the comment! This plant has definitely stood out to me. I hope I’ll be able to replicate it well and create that cool pattern effect when the lamp is turned on. That’s a great point about the lamp itself, when I was looking for a suitable lamp/lampshade I realized that the piece might look a bit out of place if the lamp itself wasn’t also designed. I’m thinking that I might try to extend the lampshade to the base of the lamp. I’m going to experiment with some paper types to see if I can match the translucence so that it’ll fit naturally.
Hi Eric! This concept looks so cool! Figure 4 is absolutely insane, I had never seen a lamp designed in such a way! Sounds like you have a solid plan (and backup plans) figured out. I personally think it would look great even without incorporating the canopy (if you want to avoid blocking light), but if you do include it, I definitely vote for a more transparent fabric being used! Were you planning on decorating the rest of the lamp in any way? Or focusing purely on the lampshade? Excited to see how this comes out!
Hi DawnMonique, I’m planning to tackle the canopy last in case I’m satisfied with the design as is. One problem I worry I might encounter if I use some green transparent fabric is that the light might project the green color throughout the room. I’ll experiment a bit to see if that’ll be an issue and how I’d like to handle that aspect of the design. Initially, I was planning to focus solely on the lampshade; however, it may detract from the design by not having a fittingly decorated lamp. I have a few ideas of how I may choose to go about this (either a papier-mâché casing or some lampshade extension). I’ll be sure to provide an update of my experimentation and what I choose to go with in my future posts!