2 min read
Artist and designer Lily Clark masterfully blends nature's rhythms with precision engineering, interpreting California's landscapes into mesmerizing, architectural water features for the home.
LA-based artist and designer Lily Clark draws her inspiration from the landscapes of California. Marrying the delicate flow of water with the enduring strength of basalt, crafting fountains that resonate with the state's natural beauty.
Clark's keen observations capturing the nuances of nature, from the intricate patterns of the Walker Lane Fault to the polished beach cobbles of La Paz, Baja, influence the lines, smooth surfaces and geometric shapes that distinguish her signature fountains. Her designs are a tribute to nature's hydro artistry, such as spiraling streams, and they skillfully manipulate the sound and movement of flowing water into elegant architectural forms.
In her approach, Clark prioritizes precision, a reflection of her passion for engineering. She meticulously drafts her designs in granite, concrete and ceramic, shaping slabs of clay to match each template before seamlessly joining the pieces. The surfaces remain unglazed, offering a textured contrast to the glossy water.
Raised near the concrete reservoir basins of Los Angeles, water serves as the central muse for her creations, emulating the intricate systems used to control and direct it. Her hand-built fountains have become miniature replicas of the dam systems and waterways that inspired her.
Road trips through Tecopa Hot Springs, near the Mojave Desert, cemented a dry earthen aesthetic in Clark’s work. A residency in Japan, where she focused on the meditative qualities brought about by the movement of water, solidified an ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) component to her designs. ASMR is a physical response to gentle stimuli, often resulting in a tingling sensation and inducing a calming effect. This very effect is palpable in Clark's creations.
“People can experience the benefits of water whether they’re near the ocean, a lake, river, swimming pool or even listening to the soothing sound of a fountain.”
Marine biologist and author of Blue Mind, Wallace Nichols
Clark's designs show just how deeply water can relax and rejuvenate us, proving that the 'blue mind' – a concept that being in or near water puts people in a mildly meditative state – is more than a placebo effect. A recent study supports this, showing that good health is more prevalent the closer one lives to a coastal area. Mimicking this phenomenon through biophilic design like Clark’s water elements is essential in supporting a healthy home.
Her latest collection, featured in 'House & Garden' (a two-artist exhibition in Los Angeles showing works by Lily Clark and Analuisa Corrigan), reflects the inspiration of light and space artists like Lita Albuquerque and Helen Pashgian. The indoor garden incorporates stones sourced from Whitewater Quarry adjacent to Palm Springs. The artist dedicated six months perfecting the immersive experience, evoking both somatic and psychological experiences while ensuring the harmony of water flow and sound.
Clark is currently working on her largest piece yet, a 2,400 pound basalt water feature commissioned by gry space. This showpiece will make its home in the urban oasis of DASU Studio, which opens this summer in Los Angeles. A fitting homecoming for the local artist.
Photography: Lily Clark
4 min read
Studio AMOS is a British craft studio led by Annemarie O'Sullivan and Tom McWalter. Their work is rooted in the ancient craft of basket making, and they grow and harvest local materials to make functional objects, furniture and lighting. Earlier in the summer, we paid them a visit.
5 min read
On a recent trip to the UK, we had the chance to meet designer, craftsman and environmentalist Sebastian Cox, to learn more about his studio and have a tour of his workshop.
