_210.jpg "tian xia artemide")
Light is a cardinal element for any environment, from habitation to work, from museums to shops. The introduction of colour in lightning aims to create a specific atmosphere, e.g. to stimulate creativity or reduce stress. Also, shaping a space with coloured light could be a perfect way to improve a dull and minimal room. Architects and designers have lately been focusing on the use of colour, as shown by a very interesting issue of the Italian magazine Area, (’Colors’, no.85, March/April 2006). An example of such interest is the production of multi-coloured lights by Artemide, which came up with pieces like ‘Metacolor’ (by Ernesto Gismondi, 2001) and ‘Tian Xia’ (by Carlotta de Bevilacqua, 2004). Metacolor is part of Artemide’s My White Light series (2006), a project which “allows users to pass from the world of white light to the world of colour (…) by turning the remote control around” (via Artemide). Basically the idea is to give the choice of modulating colours according to one’s mood, or specific use. Something similar to ‘Mediterraneo‘, multicolored chandelier designed by Gaetano Pesce.
[Pictured on left ‘Metacolor’, right ‘Tian Xia’, by Artemide]
This post reminds me about a project I saw on Targetti Light Art Collection website few years ago.
Colore mobile by Werner Klotz (1998)
\”During a recent stay in California, I used to walk almost every day to a spot where a redwood tree feel over a creek. Using this tree as a natural bridge I could reach a littel meadow with lots of blooming flowers. Often in this area the weather is changing and shifting a lot. Sunshine is interrupted a few times in minutes by clouds coming from the waterfront of the Pacific Ocean. I was fascinated by one of these flowers, a beautiful red orchid. It was dark red in the shadow and almost light red in sunshine. Through the changings of the light by the weather there was a permanent pulsation in the color of the flower. It seemed almost like a flashing living organ - like a muscle or an heart. In my project the color red gets extended to blue via white and violet. The viewer can steer this color cycle by his body motion. When he comes closer and moves in front of the object the color will change and shift. If the viewer remains, the color cycle will stop his movement. So it is possible to choose and select the color of the cycle the viewer wants. This is the difference between my initial impression with the flower: I could watch - the nature was playing the game\”.