WOVEN FIBEROPTIC CHANDELIERS
by Emily Pilloton, 02/28/07
We’re die hard fans of both Dutch design and fiberoptic lighting here at Inhabitat, so it should come as no big shock that we were wowed by this gem of a light fixture designed by Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe. Currently hanging in the atrium at Amsterdam’s SKOR (Foundation Art and Public Space), the three fiberoptic “Lace Bobbin Lamps” provide stunning light without the use of lightbulbs. Instead, their light is delivered via a remote power box — and of course we like to imagine that this type of fiber-optic chandelier would go perfectly with a fiberoptic sunlight device such as the Cold Lamp. We love the juxtaposition of the high-tech fiberoptic technology and the man-made woven aesthetic. Leave it to the Dutch to be both forward-thinking and nostalgic at the same time. Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe have been collaborating since 1997, and are part of the Dutch design force Droog.
+ Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe
After reading this article I had to read your mission statement to see if this design fits what it is you are trying to promote. I really don’t think it does. First, to say it does not use light bulbs is fairly silly given the fact that the design uses fiber optics and it’s night time. Second, how much useful light is given off by this design. I suspect that a lot of energy is used to get the effect while not giving off a great deal of workable light. I have no problem calling it art but I can’t call it functional.