the mercure lamp by lucie le guen uses its own inclination to turn on

the mercure lamp by lucie le guen uses its own inclination to turn on
all images courtesy of lucie le guen design

the ‘mercure lamp’ by french designer lucie le guen, turns on and off depending on its own inclination. influenced by the mercury tilt switch, the lamp uses small steel marbles to create light. when tilted towards the base, marbles complete the current needed to illuminate the bulb. 

made of blown glass with the inner workings visible, the object evokes both preciousness and functionality. rather than simply flip a switch, the light forces users to interact in a poetic and playful way.  the ‘mercure lamp’ is on display at the 2015 saint etienne international design biennale, from march 12th to april 12th.

mercure lamp – switched off 

as the object is tilted, marbles within slide towards the base

mercure lamp – switched on 

mercure lamp – glass reflections 

steel marbles make the necessary connection to illuminate the bulb

the object is made of blown glass  

‘mercure’ is on display at the 2015 saint etienne design biennale

glassblowers’ studio

mould of the inner glass wall

mould of the outer glass wall

The outer wall of the lamp inside the furnace

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