Last name: Wästberg. First name is of little concern according to the manifesto: “Lamps for Neanderthal Man”. Yes, this is a lighting line that comes with a manifesto. The manifesto is brilliant and hilarious. The designs are mega functional and super cool.

Wästberg Claesson Koivisto Rune Table Lamp - w101 - photo: wasteberg.com

“Man appeared.
Man felt comfortable and safe around light sources he could control.
Man felt comfortable and safe for 300,000 years.

Man began to over-illuminate rooms and halls.
General lighting was calibrated for the areas that needed the most light.
Far too many areas received far too much light.
Man felt dazzled and irradiated.
Man no longer felt comfortable or safe.

One of the people affected (a Swede) started reasoning to himself.
What would happen if you softened general lighting, and used direct
lighting where needed instead? A more functional, more economic,
more energy efficient, more flexible and more aesthetic lighting solution
would ensue.
But entirely new demands were made of the new direct lighting.

Man started to experiment.
Man got scent.
Wästberg appeared.“

source: wastberg.com/philosophy

This is a new line for Gabriel Ross and we are thrilled to have it. These lights combine beautiful, simple, modern design with adjustable everything. These lights twist, turn and tilt in every direction – head and stem.

Wästberg lighting display in our showroom

Wästberg Irvine Table Lamp - w082

Wästberg Claesson Koivisto Rune Table Lamp

Wästberg Studioilse Table Lamp - w084

Wästberg Studioilse Table Lamp - w084 - detail

Wästberg Studioilse Table Lamp - w084 - base detail

View these, and the rest of the amazing Wästberg collection on our website, here.
Read the “Lamps for Neanderthal Man” manifesto on Wästberg’s website, here.

“In 1951 Isamu Noguchi visited the Japanese town of Gifu, known for its manufacture of lanterns and umbrellas from the mulberry bark paper and bamboo. Inspired by the lanterns illuminating night fishing on the Nagara River, Noguchi designed the first of his lamps that would be produced by the traditional Gifu methods of construction. He called these works Akari, a term meaning light as illumination, but also implying the idea of weightlessness. Extending the concept of illuminated sculpture that he developed during the 1940s in New York, Noguchi employed abstract shapes to unite the simplicity of Japanese aesthetics with the principles of contemporary art and design. More that home furnishing, Akari are light sculptures.

“With the warm glow of light cast through hand-made paper on a bamboo frame, Isamu Noguchi utilized traditional Japanese materials to bring modern design to the home. Like the beauty of falling leaves and the cherry blossom, Noguchi wrote, Akari are ‘poetic, ephemeral, and tentative.’ And he was fond of saying, ‘All that you require to start a home are a room, a tatami, and Akari.’ ”

View all Noguchi Lamps

 

Marcel Wanders, born in the Netherlands, has become famous for his fabulous creations in design.  One of my favourite pieces is the Skygarden Suspension Lamp.  It looks like a boring, plain, semi-spherical lamp from a distance, but if you have a chance – look up inside!

Inspired by an antique plaster ceiling in a former home, Wanders captured the essence of classical plaster design inside a modern, sleek exterior.

The Skygarden comes in two sizes; the S1 (w60cm  x h30cm), or the S2 (w90cm  x h45cm).  It is also available in 4 colours: Rust, Gold, White and Black.

Marcel designed the lamp for Flos, who still carries the lamp today.

Tizio LED

The Tizio lamp was originally designed in 1972.  Now redesigned in 2009 by Richard Sapper as a LED Tizio Version.  5 led bulbs using only 8 watts of power.  Equivalent to 55 watt halogen bulb.

Why hide the little miracle that makes it all happen?  Props out to those designers who bare all and assert the thing for what it is – a light bulb in a fancy vehicle… or best yet: not so fancy.  Bare bulbs are honest, straight up, industrial, and georgous! … so long as they don’t leave a million blind spots in your vision.  Here are some of my faves:

Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp, 1962 by Flos

Archille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu', Parentesi Suspension, 1970 by Flos

Jean Prouve Potence Lamp, 1950 by Vitra

 

Ernesto Gismondi Miconos Table lamp, by Artemide

Achille Castiglioni Taraxacum 88 S Suspension, 1988, by Flos

Achille and Pier Ciacomo Castiglioni, Luminator 1954, by Flos