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Flap Flap Lamp thumbnail 2
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This object consists of 3 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Flap Flap Lamp

Lamp
1997 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Flap Flap Lamp appears to be flapping its wings and flying away, or at least elevating mysteriously above the table top. The effect is achieved by reinforcing the electrical cable so that it becomes a stiffened lamp stand. The lamp itself is just a very lightweight hollow polypropylene moulding, though it looks solid, and the conical shade clips onto the bulb. The surreal effect plays with our expectations by reinterpreting an archetypal form, in this case the shape of a standard little table lamp. The designers, a German duo known as Büro Für Form, are not the only designers to have played with this shape of lamp, which has been a popular design trope in the recent history of lighting. However, they are the only ones who have made it float.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Lamp Base
  • Lamp Shade
  • Lamp Shade
TitleFlap Flap Lamp (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Moulded polypropylene, reinforced electrical cable, electric light fitting and switches
Brief description
Lamp base and two lamp shades for 'Flap Flap Lamp', designed by Büro Für Form (Constantin Wortmann) and made by Next Home Collection, reinforced electrical cable, moulded polypropylene, electrical components, 1997
Physical description
White moulded polypropylene table lamp base and conical shade made of the same material supported on a reinforced electrical cable to give the impression that it is floating. The shade clips onto the light bulb.
Dimensions
  • Height: 66cm
  • Width: 78cm
  • Depth: 76cm
Gallery label
(01/07/2023)
Levitating lights

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s a gravity-defying lamp!

The people who designed these lamps wanted us to stop, look and think. How on earth can they fly?

The lamps’ shape was inspired by very typical models. But they have strong wires they can stand on, and are hollow and lightweight so they don’t topple over.

Flap Flap lamps
Designed by Büro Für Form for Next Home Collection
1997
Munich, Germany
Polypropylene, reinforced electrical cable and electrical fittings
Given by the Next Home Collection
Museum nos. W.12, 13-2005

[Young V&A, Imagine Gallery, The Living Room, long object label]
Credit line
Given by Next Home Collection
Subject depicted
Summary
The Flap Flap Lamp appears to be flapping its wings and flying away, or at least elevating mysteriously above the table top. The effect is achieved by reinforcing the electrical cable so that it becomes a stiffened lamp stand. The lamp itself is just a very lightweight hollow polypropylene moulding, though it looks solid, and the conical shade clips onto the bulb. The surreal effect plays with our expectations by reinterpreting an archetypal form, in this case the shape of a standard little table lamp. The designers, a German duo known as Büro Für Form, are not the only designers to have played with this shape of lamp, which has been a popular design trope in the recent history of lighting. However, they are the only ones who have made it float.
Associated object
W.13-2005 (Design)
Collection
Accession number
W.12:1 to 3-2005

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Record createdAugust 12, 2005
Record URL
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