Airswitch Tc thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Airswitch Tc

Lamp
2004 (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 2006. Mathmos frequently commissions designs from progressive young designers, and develops innovative technologies for its products.

The Airswitch Tc lamp was developed by the Mathmos Design Studio in 2004. The user can control the light level by the position of their hand. Passing a hand vertically over the lamp bowl turns the light on or off. Raising or lowering a hand above the bowl makes the light brighter or dimmer. Infra red sensors inside the lamp pick up the movement.

The lamp is sold with coloured glass inserts which rest within the bowl and can be changed as desired. This particular example is accompanied by a blue glass insert.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Lamp
  • Filter
TitleAirswitch Tc (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Acid etched mouth-blown glass
Brief description
'Airswitch Tc' lamp with blue glass filter, designed by Two Create (Lucy Nunn and Tobie Snowdowne) in 2004, manufactured by Mathmos in 2006.
Physical description
Acid etched mouth blown glass lamp shade, lighting mechanism controlled by proximity detector.
Dimensions
  • Height: 235mm
  • Diameter: 390mm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Mathmos
Historical context
The Airswitch Tc light (although not this particular example) has been exhibited at the V&A exhibition Touch Me (2004), Skin II at the Vitra Design Museum (2006) and Gift of the Year (Contemporary Home Accessory) (2005)
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 2006. Mathmos frequently commissions designs from progressive young designers, and develops innovative technologies for its products.

The Airswitch Tc lamp was developed by the Mathmos Design Studio in 2004. The user can control the light level by the position of their hand. Passing a hand vertically over the lamp bowl turns the light on or off. Raising or lowering a hand above the bowl makes the light brighter or dimmer. Infra red sensors inside the lamp pick up the movement.

The lamp is sold with coloured glass inserts which rest within the bowl and can be changed as desired. This particular example is accompanied by a blue glass insert.
Collection
Accession number
W.7:1, 2-2006

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Record createdNovember 15, 2006
Record URL
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