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Bubble

Light
2001 (designed), 2006 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is one of a group of lights made by Mathmos and given to the V&A Museum in 2005. Mathmos frequently commissions designs from progressive young designers, and develops innovative technologies for its products.

The Bubble light, designed in 2001 by Aaron Rincover and manufactured and retailed by Mathmos, uses LEDs within a sealed silicone ball to form a rechargeable and fully portable light that can be used both indoors and outdoors. The tactile sphere responds to the squeeze of a hand and is symptomatic of a recent design trend towards playful objects that respond to their immediate environment.

Available in a variety of colours, (this example is orange when illuminated), the Bubble light has been widely exhibited and has received a number of awards including the Decorative Light Award from the UK’s Light Magazine in 2001.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Light
  • Charger
TitleBubble (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Silicone sphere with internal LEDs
Brief description
'Bubble' light and wall charger, designed by Aaron Rincover in 2001 and manufactured by Mathmos in 2006.
Physical description
Spherical portable and rechargeable silicone encased light.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 85mm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Mathmos
Historical context
This object is sold by retailers worldwide including MOMA (New York), the Conran Shop (UK, USA, Japan & Paris) and the Design Museum shop (London). The design was awarded IDEA (Industrial Design Excellence Award) from the Designers Society of America 2001, was commended at the D&AD awards 2001 in the UK, recieved Red Dot 2001 in Germany and the Decorative Lighting Award from Light Magazine 2001, UK. This model (but not this example) was also shown in Brilliant at the V&A in 2004.
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
This is one of a group of lights made by Mathmos and given to the V&A Museum in 2005. Mathmos frequently commissions designs from progressive young designers, and develops innovative technologies for its products.

The Bubble light, designed in 2001 by Aaron Rincover and manufactured and retailed by Mathmos, uses LEDs within a sealed silicone ball to form a rechargeable and fully portable light that can be used both indoors and outdoors. The tactile sphere responds to the squeeze of a hand and is symptomatic of a recent design trend towards playful objects that respond to their immediate environment.

Available in a variety of colours, (this example is orange when illuminated), the Bubble light has been widely exhibited and has received a number of awards including the Decorative Light Award from the UK’s Light Magazine in 2001.
Collection
Accession number
W.4:1, 2-2006

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Record createdSeptember 8, 2006
Record URL
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