{"id":1935678,"date":"2026-05-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1935678"},"modified":"2026-05-14T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:00:00","slug":"mirei-monticellis-hand-woven-banana-leaf-lamps-swell-between-material-and-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1935678","title":{"rendered":"Mirei Monticelli\u2019s Hand-Woven Banana Leaf Lamps Swell Between Material and Movement"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-9.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A dynamic sculptural lamp by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in hues of cream and light green\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission. Photo by Juan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Mirei Monticelli\u2019s Hand-Woven Banana Leaf Lamps Swell Between Material and Movement<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-05-14T17:07:33-05:00\">May 14, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-craft\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/craft\/\" rel=\"tag\">Craft<\/a><a class=\"category-design\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/design\/\" rel=\"tag\">Design<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/jandres\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Jackie Andres<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F05%2Fmirei-monticelli-banaca-lamps%2F&amp;title=Mirei%20Monticelli%27s%20Hand-Woven%20Banana%20Leaf%20Lamps%20Swell%20Between%20Material%20and%20Movement\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"474066\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Milan-based Filipina designer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studiomirei.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mirei Monticelli<\/a> creates biomorphic lighting fixtures that toe the line between sculpture and utility. Undulating outward and glowing from within, the artist\u2019s works feel as if they are alive, quietly dancing wherever they stand or hang.<\/p>\n<p>These gestural, biodegradable structures are crafted with hand-woven <em>Banaca<\/em> fabric made from <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abac%C3%A1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Abac\u00e1<\/a>, a fiber that grows abundantly in Monticelli\u2019s native Philippines. The artist\u2019s studio works directly with a community of weavers in the Bicol province at the southeastern end of Luzon, sharing with Colossal, \u201cWe\u2019ve developed the material together over time, so it\u2019s not just sourcing, but a relationship.\u201d <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-11.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1636\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-11.jpg\" alt=\"A dynamic sculptural lamp by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in hues of cream, green, and indigo\" class=\"wp-image-474067\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>The laborious act of <a href=\"https:\/\/ecokaila.wordpress.com\/2012\/02\/06\/how-to-make-abaca-fiber\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">harvesting Abac\u00e1 fiber<\/a> has long been communal. From gathering the wild plant\u2019s towering stalks and stripping them layer by layer to sun-drying bundles of knotted thread and hand-weaving the strands into functional textiles, the necessity of human connection has always been part of the process. <\/p>\n<p>The term <em>Banaca<\/em>\u2014coined by Monticelli\u2014combines modern elements of design with a heritage technique that has been passed down for centuries. Monticelli\u2019s contemporary subversion of a material so deeply engrained within Philippine culture further emphasizes the works\u2019 metamorphic and dynamic presence. \u201cHuman rhythm is what gives the material its character, and it\u2019s also why every piece feels alive when it\u2019s lit,\u201d says the artist.<\/p>\n<p>Monticelli\u2019s practice also incoporates techniques that echo garment construction and fashion. The artist shared that many of her methods are also learned from her mother, a fashion designer. Draping, volume-building, and creating shape are present in Monticelli\u2019s lamps, underscoring a bodily essence within their surging forms.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, the artist unveiled an installation titled \u201cPleasure Garden\u201d at Milan Design Week, and often collaborates with interior designers, hospitality partners, and architectural studios to create immersive spaces. Find more from Monticelli on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mirei.monticelli\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1704\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-2.jpg\" alt=\"Three dynamic sculptural lamps by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in a cream hue\" class=\"wp-image-474070\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-4-960x545.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\" title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_caption=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-4-960x545.jpg\" alt=\"An installation of dynamic sculptural lamps by Mirei Monticelli. Light glows through sheer textiles in hues of cream, indigo. and purple\" class=\"wp-image-474072\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Juan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\" title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_caption=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2368\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-8.jpg\" alt=\"A dynamic sculptural lamp by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in cream hues\" class=\"wp-image-474075\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Juan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1269\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-3.jpg\" alt=\"A dynamic sculptural lamp by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in hues of cream, green, and blue\" class=\"wp-image-474071\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\" title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_caption=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-7.jpg\" alt=\"An installation of dynamic sculptural lamps by Mirei Monticelli. Light glows through sheer textiles in a cream hue\" class=\"wp-image-474074\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Juan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-5.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\" title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_title=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\" data-rl_caption=\"Photo by Juan Padilla\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1632\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-5.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of an installation of dynamic sculptural lamps by Mirei Monticelli. Light glows through sheer textiles in a cream hue\" class=\"wp-image-474073\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Juan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-13.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1472\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-13.jpg\" alt=\"A dynamic sculptural lamp by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in hues of cream and lilac\" class=\"wp-image-474068\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474066\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1439\" height=\"1210\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mirei-1.jpg\" alt=\"A dynamic sculptural lamp by Mirei Monticelli with light glowing through sheer textiles in a cream hue\" class=\"wp-image-474069\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hide advertising<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite articles<\/li>\n<li>Get 15% off in the <a href=\"https:\/\/colossal.shop\/\">Colossal Shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Receive members-only newsletter<\/li>\n<li>Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-options is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join us today!<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113464\">$7\/month<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113463\">$75\/year<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-chalk-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\">Explore membership options<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"20\" height=\"21\" class=\"wp-image-327872\" style=\"width: 20px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/arrow-left.svg\" alt><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/05\/feel-free-exhibition-joy-machine\/\" rel=\"prev\">Next article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission. Photo by Juan Padilla Mirei Monticelli\u2019s Hand-Woven Banana Leaf Lamps Swell Between Material and Movement May 14, 2026 CraftDesign Jackie Andres Share Email Bookmark Milan-based Filipina designer Mirei Monticelli creates biomorphic lighting fixtures that toe the line between sculpture and utility. Undulating outward and glowing from within, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1935678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1935678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1935678"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1935678\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1935678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1935678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1935678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}