For those of you who like interior objects that combine extravagance with classical shapes, Adam Wallacavage‘s colorful Octopus Chandeliers are the ultimate design choice. Adam’s incredibly detailed surreal works haven been shown all around the globe, including São Paulo, Rome, London, Miami, Los Angeles, Vienna and New York. In combination with the right wallpaper, Adam’s striking chandeliers make for a fanatstic underwater world, or if you prefer  pink, you get Barbie’s dreamhouse meets bizarre techno grotto, but the longer you stare at his spectacular lighting creations, the more alive they seem. Born in 1969, Adam attended the University of Arts in Philadelphia and received a BFA in Photography in 1995. But working as a commercial photographer didn’t satisfy his artistic senses. So in 2001 he taught himself how to sculpt. The art of ornamental plastering has since been his passion and Adam’s one of a kind tentacle chandeliers are wildly popular now. After casting the forms, the artist paints them with pigmented epoxy resin, iridescent powders, and even glitter.

In a perfectly surrealist manner, his works end up making the originally monstrous, look like something playful and pretty. Watch the imaginative interior designer talk about his work process in his impressive Philadelphia home and studio, which serves as his living sketchbook:Octopus Chandeliers by Adam Wallacavage These dramatic octopus chandeliers by artist Adam Wallacavage evoke an earlier era of Victorian gothic adventure and further prove that cephalopods are having their moment. Wallacavage constructs the light fixtures using traditional ornamental plaster techniques and hand paints each one. They look especially cool hung along with his custom designed sea-kelp wallpaper (his limited edition wallcoverings are available from Curio) as shown above for an installation at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Adam Wallacavage was born in 1969. He currently lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he received a BFA in Photography in 1995.

In 2001, Wallacavage taught himself the art of ornamental plastering and began making octopus shaped chandeliers. His chandeliers have been exhibited in galleries in São Paulo, Rome, London, Miami, Los Angeles, Vienna and New York. In 2012, Wallacavage had a solo exhibition at the Philadelphia Art Alliance titled Shiny Monsters. His chandeliers have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine and TIME Magazine. Beyond making sculptural works, Wallacavage is also an accomplished photographer. In 2006, Gingko Press published Monster Size Monsters, a book documenting fifteen years of his photography.> > Adam Wallacavage I am a photographer, sculptor, mold maker, silkscreener, carpenter, interior designer. I like doing all kinds of different things. I bought an old house in South Philly 6 years ago and have been renovating it into some sort of crazy Victorian fun house. Through this process, I started making plaster chandeliers that look like octopuses.

I am now represented by the Jonathan LeVine gallery in NYC. I also shoot photos for Swindle Magazine and enjoy spear fishing in Wildwood, NJ. I have a book out from Ginko press called “Monster Size Monsters” and it is a 15 year retrospective of my photography. You can buy it through Jonathan LeVine gallery website. This is a photo of Ed Templeton I shot that I totally made trippy in the photoshop. chandeliers growtopiaIt was shot in this crazy field near Ed and Deanna’s house. multi coloured chandelier tescoIt was fun watching Ed lurk around shooting photos of kids doing things.chandelier obstacle equitation This is my friend, MC Bat Commander of the band, The Aqua Bats. I have been friends with Mr MC Bat Commander for a while before I ever knew he was even in a band.

He used to be a child star, I didn’t know that either til Jim Houser told me. Anyway, I invited him over my house for dinner and Cobraman showed up all pissed, I mean Hissed, and spoiled the chill super rad atmosphere. I shot this photo of myself when I was in the war. It was my job to protect the watch tower at the Fairmont prison. I did a really good job and later, Peace prevailed and flowers grew. I shot this photo of Earsnot and Steve Powers art directed it. I like dropping names. I am friends with Jayson from Plastic little and the old bass player from the Buzzcocks Some kids or some “ironic” “street artist” wrote this on a wall in NJ. I thought it was funny. The real image is in color. This one is black and white. This is the dude from the band, Slayer. I shot photos of them on the stage. Normally you are not allowed to do that. I was allowed for a couple of songs and it was really special. I like this photo because these guys are funny even though I don’t know what they are talking about.

Jayson is pouring beer on his head and it looks like “the bling” or whatever it’s called. Yes, I am showing off and if I had a baby, the photo of the baby would be here. I shot this photo of my studio while working on my show at the Jonathan LeVine gallery. This was during one of the Fort Thunder shows at Space 1026. I shot this photo of Ryan Dunn at a CKY concert. Ryan can’t do things like this anymore. He has wrecked himself too good over the years. This is a chandelier I made in collaboration with jewelry designer, Tarina Tarantino. I made this in school a long time ago. I named my book after its’ title cause I liked it 15 year retrospective of my photography. Designed by the great Tony Smyrski. Published by Ginko Press and compiled by Roger Gastman.Octopuses collect shells and other objects they find on the sea floor and take them back to their caves to arrange and rearrange them. Think how much work you could get done with an eight-legged cephalopod as your interior designer.

OK, they’re not so much decorating as they are creating protective fortresses (also called gardens, a fact that inspired Ringo’s “Octopus’s Garden”). Still, octopuses’ spatial intelligence and love for shiny things only enhances their creeptastic charm.The Philly photographer is most famous for his stunning chandeliers that look like octopus tentacles. At once baroque and bizarre, the ornate fixtures look like they could squirm to life with the flip of a switch. Wallacavage is a bright light in the field of objet de art chandeliers, but his works are typically “price upon request” sorts of deals, likely to cost the average Joe an arm and a tentacle (one is priced around $6,000). Stores have gotten in on the act, though, offering interesting chandeliers in a retail setting. Anthropologie sells a $1,800 Tea Time Chandelier. The piece mimics traditional design but is made out of old tea cups and utensils. The trend of repurposing items into new designs seems made for chandeliers.

Browse Etsy for some really interesting upcycled light fixtures. Chandeliers made from deconstructed bike rims, wheels and spokes by Texas’ ReMain Designs are noteworthy ($75 to $700). Also cool are vinyl records Blacklick artist David Gobeli shapes into hanging light pendants ($36). Gobeli sells his work through a line named after his dog, BasilicusJones. ) or find other works by Gobeli at EcoFlora or SoBo Style in Clintonville. As for hanging these bad boys, pendants and chandeliers dangle, give or take, 30 inches above a tabletop. But who says it has to be over a table? Surreal lighting begs for surreal placement. Try setting it up in an unexpected spot in a room. And, unless you have an electrician’s background, trying to hang one of these alone will leave you wishing you had eight arms yourself. Leave the installation to a professional. ∙ Objects of Desire is a bi-weekly column that explores the items Columbus shoppers crave. Follow Jackie Mantey on Twitter at @Jackie_Mantey.