Celebrating the Makers of Derbyshire: Curiousa & Curiousa feature in Derby's Museum of Making's dedicated events space
A row of Classic Bowl Pendant Lighting hangs above the bar area in the Museum of Making’s dedicated events space. Pictured here in Teal and Blush
If you pay a visit to Derby Museums’ Museum of Making, situated in the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, you might spot some bespoke lighting made by Curiousa & Curiousa in the Museum’s dedicated events space, the Italian Mill.
Their striking, handmade Classic Bowl pendant lights capture the space’s natural light, featuring alternating shades in Teal and Blush that illuminate the slate coloured bar area. Complemented by a copper backdrop the lights perfectly tie up the room’s post-industrial theme with a luxurious modern touch.
Curiousa & Curiousa also features in the ‘Make Works Derby and Derbyshire’ project at the Museum, a resource that aims to help people to discover skilled manufacturers and makers within the region.
In the video playing in the exhibition area at the museum, visitors get an insight into the hand blown glass process - here being fashioned into one of our iconic designs by a skilled glass-blower
Curiousa & Curiousa’s founder and Design Director, Esther Patterson, is glimpsed at work in the Wirksworth based design studio
In the initial stages of this film-making project, a small team of volunteer filmmakers visited the Curiousa & Curiousa HQ to record a short informational video that now features on the project’s website. There is also a Make the Works installation at the Museum of Making, featuring the company's own video and those of other makers and businesses.
A number of digital screens display the various videos, encouraging visitors to select which of the makers they want to find out more about. The project is a great way of showcasing the skills and creations of local craft and maker businesses in the area and Curiousa & Curiousa were thrilled to be given the opportunity to support, and be included, in such a unique project.
Janine Derbyshire, Head of Visitor Experience at Derby Museums, explains why she got in touch with Esther back in March 2020 in anticipation of the Museum’s opening: “When looking at the fixture and fittings for the bar in the Italian Mill, we wanted the space to look as designed and considered as the rest of the architecture in the building. Therefore, a palette of colours and materials were brought together to reflect the taxonomy of materials used in the galleries.
"We also wanted elements to be bespoke and represent local makers and the perfect example of this, was in our selection of pendant bowls to illuminate the bar. Rather than purchasing off the shelf lighting, we approached local makers Curiousa & Curiousa as they were represented on Make Works Derby & Derbyshire: an online directory mapping local makers and manufacturers in different regions.
"In their listing, Curiousa & Curiousa outline their bespoke design and production processes when working with hand-blown glass in a vast range of styles and sizes. When visiting them to capture this film, we were captivated by the vibrant colours and intricate details of their designs, alongside their attentive approach to working with customers. This relationship allowed us to commission bespoke items that were individual, handmade and exquisite in design.”
If you would like to talk to the Curiousa & Curiousa team about a bespoke lighting commission then get in touch on +44(0) 1629 826284 or email on studio@curiousa.co.uk.
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Photography: Top and bottom, Jenny Appleton Photography © jennyappleton.co.uk, all others, Andy Taylor-Smith andytaylorsmith.com