Product news: these lamps by Nendo are made by pressing a glass tube to create a narrow gap that clamps the light source in place.

The glass tubes by Nendo for Lasvit look as if they have been pinched, and the simple fold in the material means that no additional structure is required to support the light fitting.

A suspension version hangs from the pinched section, while the light source of the floor lamp balances in the fold.

Each Press Lamp is unique, as the glass pieces are blown individually by artisans at Czech firm Lasvit's atelier. Photography is by Yoneo Kawabe.

In Milan earlier this year Japanese studio Nendo launched a series of glass vases with surfaces resembling patchwork quilts and teamed up with Italian designer Luca Nichetto to create a range of products including a scaly carpet and a knitted room divider.

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Here's a short description from Lasvit:

Press Lamps, created by Nendo for Lasvit in 2012 are pure and minimalistic and are all hand-blown by Lasvit’s glass masters. Each piece is uniquely formed, and represents a brand new and unusual technique in hand-blown glass.

Cylindrical swing lamps and free-standing lamps twisted at the light bulb’s entrance. The Press Lamp design is available in two types: a pendant lamp and a floor lamp.

In this design, glass tubes are pressed as though they have been pinched, and the light source is fitted into the narrowed space that results. Unusual in the fact that it does not rely on a metal form, the compression of the glass produces a soft, organic form and imbues each lamp with a singular appearance.

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The head of this lamp by London designer Klemens Schillinger can rotate freely without the interruption of wires.

Schillinger's Lamp 11811 is lit by LEDs inside a disc, which can spin on an axis in a full circle thanks to a series of elements that pass electricity through the metal structure.

A conventional power cable runs up the long thin stem from the base, branching into positive and negative through bows on either side of the disc.

The electricity is then transmitted to the LEDs via slip rings made from small copper tubes, which have permanent contact with aluminium holes in the bows.

Bespoke 3D-printed nylon parts sit between the metal parts to secure them in place. Other components are laser-cut from standard tubes.

The anodised aluminium light is designed as table and floor versions. Photos are by Leonhard Hilzensauer.

Recent lamps on Dezeen include a swivelling wall-mounted bedside light and a glass lightbulb with a tiny chandelier inside.

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Studio Wieki Somers travelled to Japan to research local customs, materials and craft methods that influenced the design of the seven floor lamps.

The Jin lamp evokes the flags used to identify Samurai clans. Designer Wieki Somers explains, "We wanted to create a contemporary equivalent of sixteenth-century Samurai flags translated into 'light poles' – a family of lamps."

Chuugi is based on the fabric used by geishas to protect their delicate skin from the harsh Japanese sun.

The dynamic composition of surfaces surrounding the light source of the Rei lamp is inspired by a traditional doll that appears to be dancing while holding several hats.

Bases for the lights are made from smooth polyester concrete with sections sliced off to reveal the material's crystalline composition, or from wood in a form that resembles a traditional altar.

Galerie Kreo previously exhibited a collection of objects by Studio Wieki Somers that look like they are covered in ice, and also featured the studio's work at the inaugural exhibition of its new Paris gallery, alongside products by Hella Jongerius, Marc Newson and Jasper Morrison.

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The following information is from Galerie Kreo:

The Galerie Kreo is happy to present its upcoming exhibition "mitate" from Studio Wieki Somers, opening on Friday June 7th 2013 until September 21st.

The new lighting collection of Studio Wieki Somers (Rotterdam) brings the pleasure of its evidence and oddity. As we move closer to the collection, the glowing figures become familiar—a familiarity in which we recognize the other. This sensation is not conjured by our everyday lives or background, but by our imagination and fascination for the otherness of a foreign culture, which seduces us as well as subdues our judgment. It is not the easiest form of seduction.

Larger than us, the seven floor lamps united under the name "mitate" fill and protect the gallery space, acting as flamboyant samurais. In Japanese, "mitate" signifies the perception of an object in a non-habitual way, to contemplate an object as if it were something else in order to renew its meaning and experience. An essential part of Japanese culture, the "mitate" principal was a cornerstone of ikebana art. In Western culture, Alfred Stieglitz taught us how to look at clouds with his photographic series Equivalents (1922–1935). Equally, Robert Fillou (known for his travels in Japan) stated, "Whatever you think, think about something else. Whatever you do, do something else." It is tempting to add in this context: "Whatever you design, design something else."

Since 2003, Studio Wieki Somers has personalized this philosophy in order to invent a breathtaking design practice, reworking the concept of "magic realism". Often inspired by ancient or mundane customs, its creativity imbues fantasy into the most common objects, promoting an enchanted perception of our everyday life. A bathtub becomes a small boat (Bathboat, 2005); a teapot is concealed by a rat's skull (High Tea Pot, 2003); a coat rack in a Museum becomes an interactive merry-go-round (Merry-go-round Coat Rack, Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam, 2009). Its previous lighting creations are wrapped in the same spirit: the ceiling light Bufferlamp (2002) emits the golden blaze of a harbor at twilight; the iconic Bellflower (2007) is weaved from only one strand of carbon and glass fiber; the frosty pieces from the Frozen in Time collection (2010) are instantly refreshing.

With Mitate, a game is played between the simplicity of the lamps and the sophistication of their Japanese forms, inspired by several trips to Japan in 2011 and 2012. From this travel and through research of local craft knowledge, Studio Wieki Somers collected sensations, materials and images. For instance: the enigmatic XVIth Century Samurai flags whose designs identified clans and demonstrated their unique powers, the production and use of which was a highly ritualized affair (Jin, Fabric Lamp). Wieki Somers writes, "We wanted to create a contemporary equivalent of sixteenth-century Samurai flags translated into 'light poles' – a family of lamps." Other inspirations for the Mitate collection include the fabric used by geishas to protect the light color of their skin from the harshness of the sun (Chuugi, Black Hole Lamp); the stone gardens re-enacting for the pleasure of the eyes the intensity of the world (Gi, Cord Lamp); the traditional doll who seems to be juggling with her hats (Rei, Shields Lamp).

Shown together and reflecting off another, each of these lamps possesses its own identity, displaying its specific surface, shape and chromatic colors while proposing a unique combination of technology and artisanal craft. What's more, each of these light totems illustrates one of the seven principles of the bushido samurai code of honor, from which they are named*. The materials of each lamp are chosen with care. Whether reflective or mirroring, absorbing or translucent, each material creates a distinct lighting style. The lamps are created from two different kinds of bases. The first is a wooden base resembling a traditional tokonoma altar, creating space for the organization of different objects; the second is made from polyester concrete with its edges carefully sliced, revealing the texture of the stone.

But let's not dwell on the matter any longer. The mitate effect is lurking. "Whatever you read, read something else."
– Clément Dirié

*Gi, the right decision; Yuu, bravery; Jin, compassion; Rei, the right action; Makoto, truth; Meiyo, honor; Chuugi, devotion.

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at Galerie Kreo appeared first on Dezeen.

New York 2013: this compact wall-mounted bedside lamp launched at ICFF can be swivelled to angle light where it's needed.

Rich Brilliant Willing's anodised aluminium LED light can be rotated 350 degrees on the wall and pivoted 180 degrees on a cradle to point in the required direction.

Either a flat circular cap for direct illumination or a frosted bubble that creates a diffused glow can be fitted over the bulb.

The design debuted at ICFF in New York last month, alongside a lightbulb with a tiny chandelier inside.

We filmed a couple of movies while in New York for our Dezeen and MINI World Tour - watch Stephen Burks explain how architecture and design are changing the city and see him give a tour of the High Line elevated park.

Recent lamps we've featured include chalice-shaped designs with orange glass shades above concrete bases and a set based on glass vats found in a milking parlour.

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Faudet-Harrison combined circles of aluminium in different shapes and sizes to form the lamps, which are manufactured and sold by SCP.

Each boundary light is composed of two spun aluminium circles, connected by small stainless steel fixings and hung from a white braided cable.

The inner circles are powder-coated in pebble grey with ends that curve gently inwards, while the outer circles are powder-coated in white.

The lamps are available in three variations - the 120 is a spotlight, the 300 is an ambient light and the 320 is both a spot and ambient light.

Boundary lights were on show at Clerkenwell Design Week in London last week. Other lights on show at the event included a pendant lamp made from twenty-six cable ties and lamps based on glass vats found in a milking parlour.

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Faudet-Harrison for SCP appeared first on Dezeen.