EUNIC PRESENTS:

NEW EUROPEAN DESIGN

CURATED BY JANE WITHERS

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL AT THE V&A 19–27 SEPTEMBER 2009

WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN THE UK Edison’s (the classic filament GLOSSARY: \\ In our industry it’s easy IN PRAISE design) is an extraordinary modern icon, but it is also extraordinary that a technology from the 1870s should INCANDESCENT OR GLS (GENERAL LIGHTING to talk about technology OF SHADOWS remain largely unchanged and unchallenged for well over a century, and its energy inefficiency (around 95% of the SERVICE) LAMP: but the aesthetic or energy used is emitted in heat with only 5% transformed The conventional household light bulb invented by Thomas into light) is indefensible. Yet the vociferous debate Edison in 1879. Incandescent lamps consist of a glass emotional side is hardly around the demise of the traditional incandescent bulb enclosure (the bulb) with a filament of tungsten wire illustrates that light is a highly emotive subject. inside, through which an electric current is passed. To be taken into account. // phased out by EU directive because of its environmental As well as raising some of the critical issues around inefficiency (over 95% is wasted in heat). MAGNUS WÄSTBERG, LIGHTING energy use, IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS is also about MANUFACTURER engaging with qualities of light that tend to get forgotten CFL: COMPACT : in the energy debate. Works were selected around three The modern CFL was invented by Edward E. Hammer in 1973. themes. The first is about the poetics of light and CFLs have an average lifespan of between 6000 and 15,000 illustrates the freedom that low-energy light sources can hours, between 8 and 15 times that of an incandescent lamp. \\ There are two kinds bring to lighting design. The use of mercury in most CFL lamps (between 1mg and of light – the glow that 5mg of mercury per bulb) means that they require The second grouping is more literally concerned with specialist recycling, which is not yet available through all illuminates and the lighting space, but also how we interact with light and local councils. its psychological and physiological effects. Since the that obscures. // invention of the light bulb, artificial illumination has been LED: LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE: associated with dynamism and productivity and we talk First invented in Soviet Union in the 1920s by JAMES THURBER (1894–1961) about a ‘switched-on society’. But as well as energy Oleg Vladimirovich Losev, the LED has a lower energy consumption, there is increasing concern around the social consumption and a longer lifespan than CFL or GLS lamps. and health effects of excessive illumination. RCA Research Typical lifetimes are from 25,000 to 100,000 hours, Associate Claudia Dutson highlights a growing body of depending on heat and current settings. At present, the \\ The office may be the evidence to suggest that high levels of light, the wrong chief criticism of LEDs is over the colder light they produce. colours of light and the separation from natural rhythms of most demanding environment daylight in the office have a negative impact on workers’ OLED: ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE: on a person’s physiology. Is health. Dutson argues that the commercial attitude towards OLED technology was first developed in the 1950s and IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS showcases works by European lighting and environmental ideology are in conflict. ’60s, though the first useable device was invented in the a uniform, brightly lit room designers who explore the potential of low-energy 1980s. OLEDs are a flat light source, emitting diffused lighting and alternative energy sources. The catalyst for The exhibition’s third theme addresses powering and the best place to be light from a potentially large active area. They emit the exhibition is the switch to low-energy lighting when alternative energy sources, and here again experimental white light that is brighter, more uniform and more the EU directive to phase out low-efficiency light bulbs thinking is progressing rapidly with solar and power productive and healthy? // energy-efficient than that emitted by fluorescent lights. comes into force starting September 2009. It is rare that on the horizon. The French eco activist group Clan du a design issue has such immediate implications for us all. Néon protests against the absurd energy waste of CLAUDIA DUTSON, ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART As well as stimulating experimental design, the illuminated advertising signs by simply turning them off TOTAL WATTAGE: changeover is provoking discussion around environmental and then posting films of its actions on the Web. As much Total electrical power in watts, which measure the rate issues. But this should be an opportunity to do more than as new light technologies, it is thinking about how we use of energy conversion. One watt is equivalent to 1 joule just change a light bulb. IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS aims to energy that is critical to sustainability and re-imagining of energy per second. \\ It’s not the quantity spur debate, exploring new thinking not just about lighting our future. of light, but the quality and energy use but also how we want to illuminate our COLOUR TEMPERATURE: lives. The title of the exhibition is borrowed from an Colour temperature can be quantified using a scale marked that makes a project into essay on aesthetics written in 1933 by the Japanese in ˚Kelvin. Lighting can vary in colour temperature between novelist Junichiro Tanizaki, in which he characterises the 2000˚Kelvin (warm) and 9500˚Kelvin (cold); the scale is a good light project. // bright lights of westernization as driving away the depth derived from the fact that the light emitted by heated and richness of Japanese culture. Aren’t we still in thrall objects produces a spectrum, which changes as the MARIO NANNI, DESIGNER to the modern obsession with brightness and excessive temperature rises. Low-temperature lighting is progressively illumination at the expense of a more human dimension warmer (more red/yellow), while high-temperature lighting and the poetic qualities of light and darkness? grows progressively colder (more blue). \\ will make There is no doubt that lighting is embarking on a period LUMENS PER WATT: people work themselves to of massive change. In the last decade it has changed The efficacy rating for electrical light sources to dramatically with the introduction of CFLs (Compact determine how much light they produce for each watt of death. // Fluorescent Lamps) LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) and energy they use. now OLEDs (organic LEDs), and arguably this is only AUGUST STRINDBERG (1849-1912) the beginning. LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: The length of time a light source will last. 3: LIGHT BLUB, 2008 6: DOODLE, SERIES 9: SOLAR LAMPION, 2004 11: LIGHT WIND, 2009. 14: FRAGILE FUTURE, 2006–9 EXHIBITS PIEKE BERGMANS 2009 PROTOTYPE PROTOTYPE DRIFT (LONNEKE GORDIJN (NETHERLANDS) PROTOTYPE DAMIAN O'SULLIVAN DEMAKERSVAN AND RALPH NAUTA) HULGER (UK) (NETHERLANDS) (NETHERLANDS) (NETHERLANDS) Light Blub is a giant light bulb that appears to be morphing into new Designed as a reaction against the A concept for a modern take on a Inspired by the windmill, Light Wind Exploring the amalgamation of nature forms, perhaps playfully symbolizing aesthetic of existing CFL products, Chinese powered by sunlight. is an outdoor light powered by wind. and technology, Fragile Future the end of the bulb as we know it. Doodle is one of a series of proposals While most solar lamps are left This free-standing wood, stainless combines an electrical system with to give a more sculptural form to outdoors, Solar Lampion is designed steel, and sail fabric structure has a real dandelion seed heads in a light MATERIALS: GLASS, METAL LAMP low-energy light bulbs. to be brought indoors at night. The propeller 2m in diameter and stores sculpture that grows over the wall BASE, TABLE lighting fixture incorporates 30 energy from every passing breeze to surface. LIGHT SOURCE: 24 LEDS LIGHT SOURCE: PROTOTYPE IN NEON, miniature solar panels arranged in convert to light by night. COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 2700k INTENDED FOR CFL PRODUCTION concentric circles and inclined at 30° COURTESY OF CARPENTERS WORKSHOP TOTAL WATTAGE: 15w to capture the maximum amount of MATERIALS: RAPID-PROTOTYPED GALLERY, LONDON LUMENS PER WATT: 65 7: BULB, 2009 sunlight to charge the lantern’s POLYESTER, STAINLESS STEEL, COTTON MATERIALS: DANDELION SEEDS, 1: ICE AGE CHAIR, 2008 LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 50,000 hours battery. Each solar cell is connected POLYESTER, SAND WIRE FRAMEWORK, ELECTRONICS, RADU COMSA (ROMANIA) BÁLINT BOLYGÓ (HUNGARY) to an LED. LIGHT SOURCE: 4 LEDS PHOSPHORUS BRONZE 4: W08, 2008 LIGHT SOURCE: 156 LEDS Bulb is an opto-kinetic sculpture that The Ice Age Chair is not a proper STUDIOILSE (UK) MATERIALS: VACUUM-CAST , 12: LIFE 01, 2009 COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 6000k chair, but a super-soft hideout for plays on the iconic image of the SOLAR CELLS TOTAL WATTAGE: 12w any common chair. Light diffuses incandescent light bulb, while using LIGHT SOURCE: 30 LEDS PAUL COCKSEDGE (UK) LUMENS PER WATT: LESS THAN 1 A modern take on the classic through the fibre around the chair’s an LED as the light source. The LED COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 8000k LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 20,000 hours , using what the shape and the chair itself disappears, light passes through a large rotating TOTAL WATTAGE: 30W Life 01 plays on the juxtaposition of designer describes as ‘simple honest reading as a negative image like a incandescent bulb that has LUMENS PER WATT: 18-22 light and water. A modern materials’: ‘Iron for its feelings of 15: LUCID DREAM, 2006 chair frozen in layers of old ice. a photographic image of the world LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 25,000 hours interpretation of a vanitas or still-life stability, reliability, trust; wood with printed on its interior surface. The painting, when a flower is placed in ERIC KLARENBEEK its warmth and life’. MATERIALS: POLYESTER FIBRE LAYERS, image is projected onto the the water the vase lights up from (NETHERLANDS) 10: CYCLO, 2006 WOODEN THONET CHAIR surrounding space. within. The stem acts as a conductor MANUFACTURER: WÄSTBERG (SWEDEN) LIGHT SOURCE: COMPACT PROTOTYPE of electricity activating a small Inspired by the magic of the soap MATERIALS: IRON, , BEECH, FLUORESCENT LAMPS MATERIALS: ALUMINIUM, STEEL, MARIE-VIRGINIE BERBET light source at the base of the vase. bubble, Lucid Dream plays on the MINERAL PLASTIC COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 4200k ACRYLIC, GLASS, MOTORS, As the flower withers, the light ability of glass to transmit light by LIGHT SOURCE: 12v (FRANCE) TOTAL WATTAGE: 24w ELECTRONICS slowly expires. internal reflection. Thus the light COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 3000k LIGHT SOURCE: 1 LED LUMENS PER WATT: 62.5 Cyclo is part of Berbet’s Analeptic source disappears and the light from TOTAL WATTAGE: 38w COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 5000k MANUFACTURER: FLOS (ITALY) LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 6000 hours project, exploring the physiological the LEDs is spread through the entire LUMENS PER WATT: 26 TOTAL WATTAGE: 3w MATERIALS: CRYSTAL GLASS, and psychological effects of light. surface of the bubble. LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 4000 hours LUMENS PER WATT: 27 FRESH FLOWER Berbet trained as a biologist before 2: LIGHT BALANCE, 2009 LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 25,000 hours LIGHT SOURCE: 1 LED studying design and uses light to MATERIALS: HAND-BLOWN CRYSTAL TOM FOULSHAM (UK) COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 2700k 5: GOLD F LIGHT, 2009 promote wellbeing. Cyclo consists of GLASS TOTAL WATTAGE: 3w MICHAEL ANASTASSIADES 8: SCATOLA DELLA LUCE, a desk blotter with activity sensors LIGHT SOURCE: 6 LEDS Light Balance aims to demonstrate LUMENS PER WATT: 65 and a rotating light with COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 4500k the energy wasted by a single (CYPRUS) 2009 LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 50,000 hours interdependent strips that switch on TOTAL WATTAGE: 6w General Lighting Service (GLS) lamp - MARIO NANNI (ITALY) and off in sequence. The sensors LUMENS PER WATT: 100 approximately 95% of the energy is A standard low-energy fluorescent detect the user’s activity levels and 13: CLAN DU NÉON LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 50,000 hours emitted as heat. The seated rider lamp is transformed into an object A portable reading lamp and vary the intensity of the light and the pivots on one end, counterbalancing a of refinement and beauty. illuminated plaything consisting of a (FRANCE) speed of rotation accordingly. If the 10m cantilever with a light bulb and sheath and inner drawer containing user is hyperactive, the light starts sail. The heat given off by the single MATERIALS: GOLD-PLATED the LED. The drawer slides between Le Clan du Néon, a French network turning fast and then progressively 400-watt incandescent bulb is enough STAINLESS STEEL the open and the closed position, of eco activists, protests against the slows, using hypnotic stimulus to to turn the slow merry-go-round. LIGHT SOURCE: COMPACT varying the light intensity. The beam senseless waste of electricity and induce relaxation. If the user is FLUORESCENT LAMP is cast onto the supporting surface nocturnal by the overcome by sleepiness, light centred LIGHT SOURCE: GENERAL LIGHTING COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 3000k through small windows. millions of shop signs left on over on the blue wavelengths is used to SERVICE LAMP TOTAL WATTAGE: 36w night. In France, every illuminated block melatonin secretion and TOTAL WATTAGE: 400w LUMENS PER WATT: 80 MANUFACTURER: VIABIZZUNO (ITALY) sign has to have an external switch increase wakefulness. LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 10,000 hours MATERIALS: PASTEBOARD for emergency use and the Clan uses LIGHT SOURCE: 1 LED this to turn off advertising and shop MATERIALS: RAPID-PROTOTYPED COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 3200k signs; it then posts films of its POLYAMIDE TOTAL WATTAGE: 1w activities on the Internet. Since it LIGHT SOURCE: LEDs LUMENS PER WATT: 60 started in 2007, groups have sprung LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 100,000 hours up across France and in the Netherlands. 16: QUEEN’S , 19: MEDUSA, 2008 INSTALLED IN THE SACKLER CENTRE 2008 MIKKO PAAKKANEN 21: BLOW LIGHT, 2009 FURTHER MEGAMAN TALK: PUFF-BUFF DESIGN (FINLAND) TOM DIXON (UK) INFORMATION IN PRAISE (POLAND) Inspired by the movement of a Blow Light is specifically designed to THE LAW: OF SHADOWS Challenging the traditional idea of a jellyfish, Medusa is made of fibre accommodate a low-energy Compact chandelier as a stately and weighty optic rods lit by high-intensity LEDs. Fluorescent Lamp, allowing the lamp EU DIRECTIVE: The EU measure, under the Eco-design for 23 SEPTEMBER, 1-2PM, appendage, Queen’s Chandelier is A microprocessor-controlled motor to give a strong directional light Energy-using Products Framework Directive, restricts the made of PVC pockets that moves the rods, so the through the clear base. Originally HOCHHAUSER AUDITORIUM, manufacture and import into the EU of 100W and frosted each contain an LED. Despite its size, expands and contracts in a hypnotic designed for the big Trafalgar Square SACKLER CENTRE, V&A incandescent lamps from 1 September 2009, with a phase it is extremely lightweight. motion. The movement can be stopped Giveaway in 2007, Dixon gave away out of lamps of lower wattage by 2012. at any stage, so the light can be 1000 free lamps to raise awareness of An event to accompany the exhibition, specially staged as MATERIALS: HIGH-GLOSS PVC, PLASTIC, frozen in different shapes. CFLs and promote sustainable design. part of the London Design Festival at the V&A programme. www.e-lumen.eu STAINLESS STEEL Sponsored by energy-saving lamp manufacturer Megaman, The EU’s outline of the phase-out, advice on the available LIGHT SOURCE: 145 LEDS MANUFACTURER: SAAS INSTRUMENTS MATERIALS: POLYCARBONATE the talk provides a platform for discussion around new lamp alternatives and some background on the legislative COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 3200k (FINLAND) LIGHT SOURCE: COMPACT European lighting design, with practitioners and experts process. TOTAL WATTAGE: LESS THAN 1w MATERIALS: SIDE-EMITTING FLUORESCENT LAMP exploring the impact of regulation change. LUMENS PER WATT: LESS THAN 1 FIBRE-OPTIC RODS, COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 3000k www.eup4light.net LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 50,000 hours MICROPROCESSOR-CONTROLLED MOTOR TOTAL WATTAGE: 11w Free entry. To reserve your place email EU website on findings from EC projects related to the LIGHT SOURCE: 16 LEDS LUMENS PER WATT: 52 [email protected] COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 5000k LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 15,000 hours Eco-design Directive on energy use for domestic lighting, 17: SHINE, 2009 TOTAL WATTAGE: 20w office lighting and street lighting. VYTAUTAS PUZERAS LUMENS PER WATT: 30 (LITHUANIA) LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 50,000 hours BATTLE OF THE BULB, FOR AND AGAINST:

Inspired by electric sea creatures, 20: SONUMBRA 2008 ban-the-bulb.blogspot.com Project promoting the withdrawal of the incandescent lamp. Shine uses electroluminescent LOOP.PH (RACHEL WINGFIELD technology. The glowing elements on the pad can be charged from natural / MATHIAS GMACHL) www.savethebulb.org sunlight during the day and then (UK/AUSTRIA) Set up to campaign against the withdrawal of the gleam until dawn. incandescent lamp, the group puts forward arguments Developed as part of the World Bank for preserving Edison’s lamp on grounds of light quality MATERIALS: PVC project Lighting Africa, Sonumbra is and environmental impact. LIGHT SOURCE: ELECTROLUMINESCENT a proposal for low-cost, low- POLYMER COMPOUND maintenance lighting for regions www.greenerlights.blogspot.com without access to the electricity grid. Blog commenting on sustainable lighting products and issues. Links to press debate on CFLs, mercury, energy use, etc. 18: CEZˇ LIGHT, 2009 An outsize parasol, by day it provides shelter from the sun. By night it PROTOTYPE lights up, using the energy collected SAVING ENERGY: OLGOJ CHORCHOJ in solar cells embedded in its canopy. (CZECH REPUBLIC) www.energysavingtrust.org.uk MATERIALS: ELECTRONICS, SOFTWARE, A non-profit organization that provides advice on energy- The CEZˇ light is a portable battery COMPOSITE ROD SUPPORT STRUCTURE saving issues and products. lamp charged by a photovoltaic panel. LIGHT SOURCE: SOLAR-POWERED Exposing the panel for four hours to (MAINS- www.megamanuk.com/energysavingtips/index.php sunlight should generate enough POWERED FOR EXHIBITION PURPOSES). Lamp manufacturers’ website gives tips on energy usage energy to provide four hours of and features an energy-saving calculator. illumination. ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: MATERIALS: HEAT-RESISTANT BOROSILICATE GLASS, SOLAR PANEL www.foe.co.uk/living/articles/ LIGHT SOURCE: 3 LEDS energy_efficient_light_bulbs.html COLOUR TEMPERATURE: 6000k www.foe.co.uk/resource/faqs/energy_lightbulbs.html TOTAL WATTAGE: 3-5w Friends of the Earth - information and debate on lighting LUMENS PER WATT: 12 and energy-saving. Also guidance on recycling CFLs. LIGHT SOURCE LIFESPAN: 50,000 hours www.greenpeace.org.uk/climate/light-bulbs Worldwide environmental organization that challenges environmental abuse - looks into climate change issues surrounding lighting. Organised by EUNIC London (European Union National SUPPORTED BY: Institutes for Culture) with the support of the European Commission Representation in the UK.

CURATOR: JANE WITHERS PRODUCTION: KATE BAILEY GRAPHIC DESIGN: BRAVO CHARLIE MIKE HOTEL LIGHTING DESIGN: DHA DESIGNS TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: EDDIE SMITH, EUREKA

THANKS TO:

V&A CLAUDIA DUTSON (ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART) MARTIN LUPTON (PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION)

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

CROMWELL ROAD, LONDON SW7 2RL T: +44 (0) 20 7942 2000

ADMISSION FREE

FOR MORE INFORMATION Your reliable www.eunic-london.org partner in rail maintenance www.londondesignfestival.com www.vam.ac.uk