50|PROTAGONISTA Javier Mariscal: hEDonIsM, optIMIsM AnD syMboLIsM Javier Mariscal, who was born in Valencia in 1950, has developed his professional career in Barcelona. The Medi- terranean culture of both cities is revealed in his work: he has inherited the hedonism, optimism and symbolism that characterise his designs from it, as well as the vibrant range of colours and his poetic approach. Before dea- ling with projects from a multidisciplinary point of view became a recognised value, his professional activity was already highlighted by moving from one discipline to another without complexes, thanks to his untiring curiosity and his passion to innovate to contribute to make everyday life more interesting, easier and friendlier. The creation of Estudio Mariscal in 1989, made up of a team of specialists who closely collaborate with him, allows him to deal with integral projects. Mariscal has international projection and great media repercussion due to the fact that he knows how to communicate directly with the general public, as does his work. His great speciality is drawing, therefore his attitude when faced with any commission is an artistic one, using a universal, timeless language which adds value, uniqueness and emotion to his projects. His boldness parallels the great challenges he has taken on, from the mascot for the Barcelona Olympic Games to the overall design of an extre- mely luxurious hotel or the creation and direction of the film Chico & Rita. idea. It was a very enterteining pro- cess, because one saw the artist in full essence announcing what it has just created, later there comes the ingenierización and the prototipado, two processes that give body to the design and to the physical accom- plishment of the product. These two processes are exquisitely technical and delicate, that they consume a lot of time. What are the characteristics of Lotek that other lamps don’t have? Javier Mariscal: The light doesn’t need to be blue, but having that kind of orange such as a sixty-watt lamp. It must have perfect move- ments, we also need it to be cold and that can you pet it. It must be a friend of the computer, because it’s a bit of a complement. Next to the computer you have your small lamp. And at the same time, I would like it to be ... well, that you see sixty lamps and looks normal to you. Well, at the end Lotek lamp has gone out and for me it is great because it is real, it is true, it has a function, there have been many production problems. The price was