Core77
e
Light Light's Sublime Levitating Lamps
By Ray Hu - Sep 30, 2011
Designer Angela Jansen of Design Academy Eindhoven recently collaborated with engineer Ger Jansen on a pair of skeuomorphic LED lamps that they're currently selling as Light Light. Their website knowingly notes that "It is uncommon for engineers to find good domestic applications for their technology... and it is likewise rare for designers of consumer objects to embrace cutting-edge technology wholeheartedly." Which, of course, is "perhaps what makes the cross-pollination of ideas between Angela Jansen and Ger Jansen so remarkable."The Light Light series creates an incredible visual conversation piece. It is like an optical illusion, yet one that is kind to the eyes and easy on the mind. Once you know how it works, it is still fascinating to behold. It is timeless, classical and, at the same time, contemporary.
Bombastic copy aside, the products speak for themselves. A handcrafted wooden base complements the semi-conical "lampshade" of the "Silhouette," while a glass base underscores the modern form of the cylindrical "Eclipse." Both of the lamps themselves are covered with matte black fabric, while the lighting element consists of LEDs and mirrors (the new 'smoke and mirrors,' as it were), and are activated via touch dimmer.
Some assembly required (illustrated below, not above):
In short, Light Light is (the first?) commercially available electromagnetic levitation—as in MagLev, like the high-speed trains—application for household lighting, developed (and patented) by Ger Jansen. Requisite video below:
Again, per the designers: "...this handcrafted lamp can be dimmed but never ignored. It's what's missing that makes it so special. This is definitely a case of 'less is more.'"
Any way you slice it, Light Light is a pretty sweet:
More videos here.
Ray Hu
Formerly an editor and currently a contributor to Core77 (among other publications), Ray brings a broad interest in popular culture, media, and technology — alongside an abiding passion for art, music, and cycling — to his practice as a journalist and critic.
9 Comments
-
Shut up and take my money!!!!Report as spam
-
I think this is awesome! Maglev never ceases to fascinate me.!Report as spam
-
good but when you turn it off should be close and then when you turn it on elevate leting the light out!Report as spam
-
would a reverse module large levitate a car? or is the *top* also an electro magnetic , if the *top* is dormant it could be the surface of say a remote control toy ,perhaps if the application could be reverse.!Report as spam
-
It's not the first; these magnetic floating globes have been around for a while.
(you'll have to copy the URL since html is disabled)
http://www.amazon.com/Fascinations-Levitron-Stellanova-Globe-Blue/dp/B00021UJVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317695608&sr=8-1!Report as spam -
Overdesigned waste of resources, if you ask me. Sure, it looks cool, but that doesn't make it good.!Report as spam
-
Does it light up?!Report as spam
-
aaaaaaaaand a new way to waste energy!Report as spam
-
Bet you didn't know you could do that with string? Pretty cool, huh?!Report as spam
Continued Reading
-
By Rain Noe - Sep 16, 2011
Philippe Malouin's Dervish Updates the Ceiling Fan
I'm loving London-based designer Philippe Malouin's Dervish ceiling fan and lamp, inspired not only by the titular whirling dancers of Istanbul, but by an automated car wash:...While inside [an automated car wash] I couldn't help but notice how the car wash brushes completely alter their shape from flimsy drooping hair...
-
By Ray Hu - Sep 02, 2011
London Design Week 2011 Preview: Argonaut Collection by Athanasios Babalis & Christina Skouloudi
Athanasios Babalis and Christina Skouloudi, independent industrial designers based in Thessaloniki, Greece, recently collaborated on a collection of six objects that were inspired by the myth of the Argonauts.This year, they decided to work together in order to create objects with clean but intense sculptural forms, with respect to the...
-
By Ray Hu - Sep 02, 2011
Things That Look Like Other Things: "Cindy" Lamp by Giorgio Bonaguro
It's a Friday before a long weekend, at least here in the U.S., so Bonaguro Giorgio's "Cindy" lamp makes for a nice quickie before the break.Photos by Sergio BiancoGiorgio insists that it was inspired by the "remembering the typical abat-jour," or lampshade, though his toke take is made of Pyrex.It...
-
By Ray Hu - Aug 31, 2011
Not Just the Same Old Sheet (of Steel): New Work from John Beck
Hot on the heels of the J.L. Lawson steelworking video we posted earlier this week and subsequent debate about the material and craft, John Beck sent in a couple new lighting and furniture designs. The Illinois-based "Hand Maker" is, according to his own felicitous phrasing, "tired of seeing the same...
K
{Welcome
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
K
Reset Password
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
