The Background:

Origins:

Myth says Emperor Ming from China had a scholar go to India to get Hindu scriptures after having a dream in 230 BC. This was when the first paper lantern was created. The paper lantern was created for the temple that Ming wanted to create to hold all these scriptures. They are supposed to be created to worship Buddha. This work was instigated or created by IKEA.

Created:

There is no specific name associated in the creation of the paper lantern. The Chinese created the paper lantern. They are primarily used by the monks and for festivals. They are symbolic as well as artisanal. The designer for the VATE Paper Lantern from IKEA is M. Vinka and S Heimis.

Audience:

Emperor Ming as well as the artisan who created the paper lantern probably put emphasizes on the lantern being for spiritual and ritual use. The lantern was most likely for Buddha, or their all mighty figure and those who want to celebrate. The audience for both IKEA and the two designers are people who are looking to decorate and more specifically light up their homes. People who are looking to buy lighting and also decor for a reasonable/ cheap price.

Goal:

The goal for everyone who possesses or holds a lantern is very much the same. The lantern is meant to illuminate and to act almost as piece of art. From the many ways the paper lantern has been adopted, the root of its nature remains the same. The goal for each of these people is to provide a lighting solution that is easy to purchase, assemble and maintain. The item comes with necessary assembly material as well as instructions to clean. The item itself does not come with the light blubs but provides information how what blubs to purchase.

Intent:

The intended use of the lantern is spiritual and ultimately to illuminate. As the lantern still holds true to its primary purpose, the lantern has adapted and been used as decoration, to celebrate and to illuminate. The intent of the work is listed on the website. The key feature emphasized is to give a soft mood light. Care instructs are provided as well, dust the lamp with a duster. All necessary information including product description, environmentally friendly handling, assembly PDF and measurement and weight are provided.

The Experience of Interaction:

Feedback:

Provide a diffused light, to decorate, set a mood, create an ambiance, and ease the mind, engaging to look at

Control:

To turn off and on, to hang or to stand, plug in or plug out and move without much strength

Adaptivity:

Move around, bring place-to-place, light, adjustable, can take apart and put back together fast and easy

Creativity:

Comes in different shapes and sizes, maneuverable, can change the color of the bulb inside, change the color or design of the rice paper

Co-Creativity:

Similar or same assembly process

Productivity:

Brings light to a room, adds to fill space, draws the eye

The Analysis:

Real Uses:

The real use of the works is to illuminate and create an aesthetic feel. People do use the paper lantern differently. Some use the lantern as a object to keep and uphold its use, while others might use the paper lantern in a ritual and let them go into the sky. Either way the lantern does provide an aesthetic much different than any other light fixture.

Overall Success:

The work successfully achieves the originator's goal. The lantern is used to encompass light whether it be natural or artificial. The intended use is to bring a diffused light to a space whether that is inside or outside. The maker of the VATE IKEA lantern is extremely true. The lantern stands, holds a figure, purpose and lights up a room. The two designers who created the VATE seem to have that idea in mind as the metal structure that comes with the rice paper structure calls for E27 400 WATT light bulb. It does fulfill its real uses to an extent. As the lantern has been adapted in many ways, the idea of sustainability and increase in usage by having the “modern” lantern electrically powered rather than natural allows users to keep the beauty and reuse the idea of a paper lantern rather than let it go. The IKEA lantern is a bit more industrial and probably heavier than the original.

The Conclusion:

The work maintains a serene light. Paper lanterns hold true to still being an art whether they are heavily decorated for religious ceremonies or solid colors for home decoration. They add a light hearted and soft light to the mood of the environment, which it stands. I believe particularly for the IKEA lamp, there is much success in the online information as well as the intended use and purpose. Another success is how the object has been transformed and can hold new shapes and even new fixtures. The package and light itself provide for an easy and light feel, which holds true to the actual product. Some flaws of the object may be seen in its material and how easy the material can collect dust. The paper lantern is made for higher sustainability and a longer time use when looking at the IKEA product. Another flaw might be the need to use artificial light rather than natural. This could also damage the product if anything were to happen with the bulbs inside the lantern.