Markus Haase, Medusa, DE, 2024

Haase continues to push the boundaries of his oeuvre with his latest work of functional art, Medusa. This striking LED light sculpture epitomizes Haase’s inherent understanding of classical materials as he creates a seamless composition of onyx, marble and bronze with an intricate lighting design that calls to mind the mythological figure’s storied beauty and implicit danger.

Haase is one of the only artists working today in lighting design who is himself capable of this level of stone and metal work. The design eschews an impressive sense of fluidity, movement and levity from the dense materials of marble, onyx and bronze thanks to his mastery over both material and process. Haase hand carves marble to form a marble mosaic base perfectly fitted to the bronze illuminated sculpture. The cool tones of marble and onyx are contrasted by the warm glow of the bronze nodding towards Medusa’s monstrous transformation and enduring allure.

Haase’s dexterity in combining hand carved stone and cast bronze with dynamic LED technology defines a new artistry for the twenty-first century. This design brought a new level of challenges as the LEDs twist around the sculpture in every direction, yet Haase remained intentional in fitting the onyx around the chandelier’s serpentine arms so the light shines in a uniform and targeted direction. The encased dimmable LEDs offer a warm perennial glow that is softly emitted through the stone.

Inspired by classical and European art history and architecture, the work embodies the wild power and bold strength of the mythological anti-heroine its name pays tribute to. Each branch of the chandelier harnesses the imagined potentiality of untamed movement of Medusa’s famed wild mane. The serpentine tendrils, crafted from bronze, wind gracefully outward, their metallic sheen catching and reflecting ambient light creating an illusion of perpetual movement.

In 2013, Haase launched his first series of sculptural design exclusively with Todd Merrill Studio. Since then, his work has attracted the attention of designers, critics, and collectors worldwide. Haase creates unique works of art, sculptural pieces of furniture, and lighting design that demonstrate his sculpting virtuosity through his works that imbue wood, metal, and stone with a remarkable sense of fluidity and movement. Carved wood and marble assume the qualities of drapery, while his dexterity in combining these elements with dynamic LED technology defines a new artistry for the twenty-first century. As Todd Merrill describes, “Markus Haase is not making a piece of furniture or lighting that looks like art… He is a sculptor making art that serves functional ends.”

As Haase works on a commission basis, custom designs may be requested.

Bronze, Onyx, Marble, LED
23h x 104w x 40d in
58.42h x 264.16w x 101.60d cm