WE ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE
Blown Glass Time-Light using bioluminescence as a light source
The project
Blown Glass Time-Light using bioluminescence as a light source.
THE CHALLENGE
Approaching our planet by being actively and respectfully part of it.
Building a relationship between the microorganism, the object, and the humans.
Designing a lamp that invites us to experience a moment of harmony and connection by contemplating time through a living light, in the dark. Protection of the microorganisms thanks to the use of glass as a material, assuring the culture the best living conditions.
Inviting the humans to establish a relationship with the lamp thanks to its transparency and the shape of the blown glass. Designing time through the light and the crafting of the glass.
THE SOLUTION
WE ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE converge the fluid of the sea, with the hot fluid of the glass, which results in a transparent unique shape, creating a strong and delicate bound between the content and the container.
These lamps could be a powerful learning tool to experience the beauty of nature through a unique encounter between biology, technology, and craftsmanship.
They will produce a family of three blown glass Time lamps, using bioluminescence as a light source. A fully sustainable production of light, giving an analogical escape from electricity and the digital world.
There is no Light without motion.
There is no Time without Light.
Through the specific crafter shape of the glass, we control the movement and design time.
AS A CEREMONY (Germany)
AS A CEREMONY is a lighting design duo based in Berlin. They work as lighting planners, researchers, and lighting product designers. AS A CEREMONY collaborates with architects, designers, and artists in the lighting field.
ARCAM-GLASS (France)
Arcam-Glass produces contemporary glass creations for designers, artists, architects, and private individuals. They support their clients from the research phase to the installation of the work, assisting them through every step of the creative process.
STORYTELLING
THE IDEA:
The project started as a research on the sustainable ways of producing light. We wanted to investigate the boundaries of sustainability within the domain of lighting. We stared to study the so-called sustainable lamps and bulbs and soon we realized that there is not real sustainability in the use of led or solar batteries, just to name a few. The environmental impact of anything we do as designers is unquestionable.
THE BIRTH OF THE PROJECT:
We wanted to explore a natural way of producing light, a real sustainable source and we rediscovered the bioluminescence as a natural light phenomenon. By studying the phenomenon, we learnt that there is no emission of light without movement, and movement means time. So, we understood the deep bound between, time, nature and light. There is no light without motion and there is no time without light and, as a consequence, our lamp then had to be a time lamp!
THE CREATIVE PROCESS:
The main challenge was to find a way to analogically induce the movement without the use any engine or electrical pump, which is why we came up with the idea of using gravity to generate the motion needed for our algae to shine. By doing this, we also define a strong bound between the microorganism, the light and the humans.
THE COLLABORATION:
Thanks to the help of worth we established a successful collaboration with Arcam glass. We worked together on the design details and different production techniques to give the algae the best possible shelter, that could – on one hand, protect them and guarantee the best living conditions and on the other one induce their movement and defining the time. Building together a multidisciplinary team has been not only of a big value for us but also quite challenging. We got to learn how to design with the glassblowing process and all its complexity resulting in a beautiful glass sculpture that protects, contains and allows our lamp to shine.
THE FUTURE:
We are not in this alone is part on an ongoing research project that sees bioluminescence as an alternative light source and how it can be incorporated in our future daily lives. With the help of WORTH, the project is ready to be experienced and tested as a first step of the ongoing development. We can imagine in the future to incorporate new forms of bioluminescence to the study as well as new shapes of lighting objects to be part of a family of lamps that could become more and more accessible.
THE MESSAGE:
This project is our reminder that we are not alone on this planet and that we are part of a chain, which we need to protect. It´s our tribute to our planet and celebration of nature, reminding us that life on demand as we know it, is no longer sustainable and that a change must come.We encourage collaborative work as a principle both between species as humans and between professionals as designers. The strength and the value of this project lies on the respect of nature, materials and other professionals. The shape and light resulting in our design is a consequence of this approach based on mutual respect and care.
