Lighting in Design Q3 2018

I nternational N ews

The latest addition to inflatable lighting range

Measuring 5 m long by 20 cm wide, NEO by Airstar is inspired by the timeless aesthetic of neon tubes. As an inflatable lighting structure, NEO is easy to handle and set up, and can be either installed on the ground or mounted. Offering a powerful bright- ness of 8500 lumens, its imposing size makes it an ideal public lighting solution at events and music festivals, or as an integral part of a creative set. The idea came from Airstar's light design workshops and, in particular, from Jean-Pierre David, an industrial designer at Airstar. David began with the concept of self-supporting inflatable struc- tures and was inspired by everyday life: "It may sound odd, but the NEO concept could be described as a genesis of the Jedi light sabre and my grandmother's kitchen neon," he reflects. "Although relatively simple, it is truly unique in the marketplace: it creates extravagant and creative lighting effects. Event professionals can let their imaginations run free with the help of this fun and easy to use solution." NEO was successfully trialled at this year’s Solidays festival, a major music event in the Parisian summer calendar which wel- comes more than 200 000 punters over three days.

The latest work of Amsterdam-based designer Floris Wubben continues teetering on the line between Lighting collection made out of acrylic stone

Aiming to redefine the light switch, Israel- based Studioknob presents ‘Click’, a light fixture that turns on once anchored to a metal surface. Inviting the users to touch, change, and interact, the piece consists of two metal tips and a rope. The parts of Studioknob’s creation allow low voltage electricity to run through them. Thus, the rope metal connecting them, which is intertwined with LED lights, lights up once connected to the metal with a click sound. Click’s rope – which is available in different lengths – stretches, flows, drops, ties and twists between the metal surfaces in endless shapes and combinations and with each click a new phase appears. An interactive light fixture made of rope

functional object and work of art. The Crystal Twist collection of lighting is composed of HI- MACS acrylic stone, which looks as though it’s popped open like a refrigerated can of dough. The HI-MACS material is typi- cally used for sleek surfaces, like countertops, but Wubben chose to use it to make lamps with a raw, organic quality. While work- ing on the design he discovered that the material could be torn apart when it was heated. He created a tool that helped tear off the edges of the strips of acrylic stone and then wrapped the warm stone around a mould to create the spiral. To create the lamp, he layered the twisted stone so light would emit through the cracks and highlight the torn edges. The Crystal Twist collec- tion was developed in collabora- tion with Baars & Bloemhoff.

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LiD Q3 - 2018