A COLLABORATION OF MIDWEST PROPORATIONS

When two Minneapolis creative powerhouses—Jackson Schwartz of HENNEPIN MADE and Victoria Sass, founder of Prospect Refuge —join forces, you can expect something extraordinary. Their latest project, the ONTOLOGIA lighting collection, doesn’t just catch your eye; it sparks conversation.

The handblown glass globes, suspended in sculptural arrangements of cords, metal, and mahogany spheres, immediately draw attention. But the real magic of this collaboration lies beyond aesthetics. For Sass, this isn’t just about creating beautiful lighting; it’s about fostering a relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit. Her first venture into lighting design aimed to evoke a deeper connection, where each piece of the Ontologia series forms a two-way dialogue with its environment and the people who live within it.Thanks to Hennepin Mades craftsmanship, the collection brings Sass's vision to life. Each light has its own personality, mood, and story to tell—transforming them into more than functional objects, but into art pieces that engage, interact, and evolve with their surroundings.

Sass believes that it’s the pieces that challenge us and evoke the “full spectrum” of emotions that truly stand the test of time. By fostering an emotional connection to objects, she aims to discourage disposability.

So, how do you keep people emotionally invested in the objects around them? Her answer: "It's like a life partner. If there are no surprises, you won't stay engaged." While these lights may require a bit of investment in connection, Sass laughs and reassures, "I don't want to stress people out—they’re also just beautiful lights."

Part of that engagement starts with the choices in selecting forms and finishes. The collection offers four glass colors, three cord colors, and three metal finishes—raw, oiled, or oxidized copper, plus four powder coatings. There are also four distinct pieces: a sconce, floor lamp, chandelier, and a table lamp lovingly dubbed the “baby blob.” Sass envisioned the table lamp to feel almost like a pet or a child—something you’d want to pick up and nurture. The chandelier's glass “blobs” can even be lowered onto a table, offering a soft, candlelight-like glow.

The glassblowing process leaves a "historical memory" in the piece, with variations depending on the temperature, glass thickness, and the glassblower’s own mood that day. The result is a unique shape every time. 
Everything, from the glass to the fabrication, was crafted in-house at Hennepin Made—except for one small electrical component. As Sass puts it, "They have this amazing ability to do anything."