Designed to give light and hope amid one of the world’s longest lockdowns, the Kai’a Hanging Lamp by young Filipino visionary Chini Lichangco was recognized with the Best in Use (Product) Award at the 2021 London International Creative Competition (LICC).

Established in 2006, the LICC aims to reward the freshest and most progressive talents from across the globe who have exemplified their skills in the fields of Architecture, Photo/Video, Art, Graphic, Interior, and Product Design in the professional and non-professional categories.

Among thousands of entries, the Kai’a Hanging Lamp from the non-professional division captured the attention of the jury members and industry experts.

The piece was conceptualized and created to transform the innovator’s pandemic anxieties into a manifestation of hope. “As an artist boxed within the four walls, I had to divert and pour my energy into creating something positive,” Lichangco explained.

“Its soft warm glow mimics the veil of light trickling under the ocean,” she described. “It enthralls the viewers and wraps them under a deep-sea serenity – under the ocean secured from the storm above and portraying life safe from peril.”

The lighting fixture embodies the design philosophy of the Industrial Design graduate from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts.

The artist apprenticed under the multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobonpue in Cebu, wherein she furthered her knowledge in design philosophies and experience with the diverse types of materials and.

For the Kai’a Hanging Lamp, Lichangco relied on biomimicry to form the installation. With sustainability in mind, she minimized the usage of plastic products and by-products during the design phase. Instead, she reimagined pieces of parchment paper as scales, intricately placed along the body of the structure.

“My 2021 has been a whirlwind of ups and downs but we remain always grateful!” she beamed. “This is a call that whichever situation we’re in, don’t lose hope and keep moving forward.”

Lichangco is currently starting her own studio in Manila.

Discover more about Lichangco and her creations on her official Instagram account @chinilichangco (https://www.instagram.com/chinilichangco/?hl=en). For orders and inquiries, email chinilichangco@gmail.com.