Draga & Aurel Freeze Moments of Light in Lucite at Design Miami

If you thought design studio Draga & Aurel were done capturing the essence of light through furniture, think again. The dynamic duo, Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, unveiled yet another mesmerizing collection at Design Miami in collaboration with Todd Merrill Studio, proving once more that Lucite and light refractions are their ultimate muse. Featuring Ribbon Pendant Lamps, a Flare Dining Table, and a Flare Cabinet, the new pieces are a continuation of the studio’s signature exploration of light, color, and transparency. With each creation, Draga & Aurel blur the boundary between art and furniture, crafting pieces that prompt observers to pause and marvel as if standing before a rare work of art.

The Ribbon Pendant Lamps feature a curved ribbon of acrylic resin that drapes elegantly over an LED-lit capsule. Opaline inserts and vibrant neon colors, reminiscent of laser beams, are suspended within the Lucite, eternally capturing fleeting light refractions we might serendipitously encounter in everyday life. Thanks to the transparent quality of the material, the Ribbon lamps present as two overlapping parallel surfaces, offering an experience that shifts depending on your perspective. The interplay of color, light, and material goes beyond the mere utilitarian function of lighting a space – it’s an effect that feels closer to observing art in a gallery.

To expand on their Flare series, Draga & Aurel went to greater lengths in designing the Flare Dining Table. Like its predecessors, the design uses layered sheets of colored Lucite to create a dynamic play of light and refraction. Inspired by the mastery of color by artist Jiyong Lee and the acrylic sculptures of Vasa Mihich, the studio freezes brilliant flashes of color within the transparency of Lucite, further enhanced by the table’s geometric angles. The result is a striking piece that transcends its original purpose to become an enchanting, artful experience.

Rounding out the Flare collection, the the Flare Cabinet is a storage solution elevated to artistry. Its rounded metal frame offers a beautiful contrast to the transparent Lucite doors, which are assembled from sheets of varying shapes and thicknesses. The reflective surfaces amplify the experience of bent light, creating a hypnotic effect as you interact with it. Transparent, colorless Lucite legs lift the sideboard off the ground, lending a sense of lightness to the piece despite its expansive size.

Draga & Aurel’s latest collection once again demonstrates their ability to immortalize ephemeral moments of light and color through furniture. By blending thoughtful design, artistic inspiration, and expert craftsmanship – with the help of their team of master artisans from Lake Como – the studio invites us to see light not as something static but as an ever-changing phenomenon, refracted, reflected, and frozen in time.

To learn more about Draga & Aurel’s latest collections, visit draga-aurel.com or toddmerrillstudio.com.

Photography by Federica Lissoni.