Magic Circus Éditions Launches Sculptural “Balloon” Lighting Pendants
All the classic, creative elegance of traditional Venetian glassblowing meets the playful nature of the circus in a new line of lighting called “Balloon Collection.” Representing a collaboration between design brand Magic Circus Éditions and esteemed glassmaker Venini, these pendant lamps look a bit like confectionary delights dangling from the ceiling.
Envisioned by designer Marie-Lise Féry and brought to life by Venini, “Balloon” blends a little bit of decadent French cabaret style with the timeless look of mouth-blown glass. Each pendant lamp is fitted with an energy-efficient LED bulb and features a fluted shape, with either a brass or nickel base in polished or brushed finish. The two designs include the swirling “Canne” and the flower-bud-like “Spirale.”
“Tasty, playful, and wonderful, the new Balloon collection by Magic Circus Éditions defies gravity with haute-couture, weightless designs,” states a press release on the collection. “Are they giant beehives or helium-filled balloons from our childhood memories? This is the elegant fantasy world suggested by these mouth-blown creations featuring colorful and warped motifs crafted with exquisite fineness.”
“The fourth collection by Magic Circus Éditions was made possible by the brand’s alliance with Venini glassworks. Widely recognized as one of the greatest representatives of Murano glass artistry since it was founded in 1921, the company has lent the talents of its glassworkers to some of the most prominent names in art and design, from Ettore Sottsass to Tadao Ando.”
Coming in various shades of vivid red, cobalt blue, sunny yellow, and a range of pastels, the swirling stripes of the lamps really do evoke a vintage circus aesthetic and cute little wrapped candies all at once. Best of all, they’re sculptural and undeniably fun — a characteristic the modern design world could certainly use a bit more of. They don’t come cheap, though. you can find them for upwards of €5,000 each at fine lighting retailers like Eames.
Magic Circus Éditions founder Féry approached the project with a sense of humor, aiming to bring a little bit of fantasy into the world of high-end lighting. The designer’s approach to her work is to “use light to tell stories,” offering a new take to shift perspectives of what lighting can look like and achieve. Calling herself “a free-spirited antiquarian,” Féry is known for blending modern and retro elements for pieces that feel fresh and unique.
Venini was founded in 1921 by Milanese lawyer Paolo Venini, Venetian antiquarian Giacamo Cappellin, and Venetian artist Vittorio Zecchin, establishing a stylistic identity that embraces the avant-garde while mastering glassmaking techniques with the help of Venice’s most talented artisans. The brand shot to fame with its iconic “Veronese” vase, which remains its best-known work to to this day, and has been elevating the profile of Venetian glass around the world for nearly a century since.
The brand’s website explains that “countless artists have collaborated with VENINI, past and present. They’ve come from all over the planet to meet the mysterious charm of the fornace (kiln). Each encounter gives life to a cross-contamination between artisanship, Murano’s glassmaking heritage, avant-garde design, and the purest form of creativity. An endless adventure that embodies the identity of VENINI.”
