jean-baptiste durand reveals 'experience of light' collection of lamps

french designer jean-baptiste durand reveals ‘experience of light ‘, a collection of three sophisticated lamps. using different materials and chemical reactions, the pieces unfold a completely original experience of light.

light captured by mist

the light of ‘lampe brume’ is captured by mist and comes to life through this natural reflector, although it is unbodied and impalpable. the peaceful agitation of water becoming mist is set as a chemistry experiment and creates a lively and warm light. at the bottom of the vase made of borosilicate double-wall glass, a nebulizer system turns water into mist.

‘lampe brume’, detail

‘paysage transparent’ is a lamp entirely made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), using the ‘lumisheet’ technology as lighting surface: when the lamp is turned off, PMMA slabs are completely transparent, while switched on, the bumps of micro-machined thread catch the light coming from the LEDs on the edge of the panels. a geometric landscape rises from the panels as if they were lying on a giant rock.

‘lampe brume’, exhibited

called ‘soleils’, durand’s third lamp sets two ‘suns’ on a ring that rotate at a 24-hour rhythm. at 00:01, the two spotlights are at the bottom left of the base — they diffuse a slightly red-tinted light, like a sun at dawn. through the day, light gets whiter and reaches its zenith at midday. as it gets closer to the evening, the light turns progressively to a light orange. the spotlights end their cycle at 23:59 and go back to their initial position. 

‘paysage transparent’, rectangle and disc version

‘paysage transparent’, single disc version

‘paysage transparent’ vs le cervain summit, alps

‘soleils’, exhibited

video by jean baptiste durand

‘soleils’, front view

‘soleils’, rear view

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edited by: maria erman | designboom