LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

LIGHTNESS – THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

New York 2017 – Is there a light after Donald Trump? In Canal Street, the Colony independent design community founded by Jean Lin, showcases LIGHTNESS – THE FULL SPECTRUM, an exhibition responding to “dark times” with a positive message of levity and brightness.

RELATED STORIES: Read more about 2017 New York Design Festival on Archipanic…

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

“The all-white exhibition is a reminder for all of us to continue to seek substantive beauty, love and lightness in our world, our communities and our lives.” Says Jean Lin to Archipanic. Guests walk in a white space showcasing lighting, textiles and objects by independent New York designers.

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

LIGHTNESS – THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

On show mushroom-shaped sculptures made of felt and plaster by Colony, neon and stone pendants by Farrah Sit and silk and mohair textiles by Hiroko Takeda. Allied Maker created alabaster luminous totems while Erickson Aestetics presents a chrome cloud design in fiber glass silver mirror enamel.

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

In summer 2016, Colony’s designers met up with an optimistic spirit and “decided Lightness was a theme we could all tackle with proficiency and vigor”. But after Trump’s election Lightness drifted far from their minds.

RELATED STORIES: Read more about architecture and design related to the new US President…

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

“We were enveloped in a darkness created by the divisive and vitriolic tenor of our country and our world. Colony Co-op meetings and correspondence became a place for shared anger, fear and ultimately support.”

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

But a proactive attitude took over and the Lightness concept grew strong. “Despite Trump, Lightness continues to unveil itself to us as we grow our community, our businesses and find our footing in this new world. We hope this exhibit will be a source of inspiration and levity.”

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

Founded and curated by Jean Lin, Colony is a community of independent furniture, lighting, textiles and objects designers coming together on a New York City stage to celebrate American design with an international audience.

LIGHTNESS - THE FULL SPECTRUM @ Colony, NYC. All photos: courtesy of Colony.

All photos: courtesy of Colony.

PINTEREST: Explore a full spectrum of lightness in our dedicated board.