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Moth Light

Light
1998 (designed), 1998 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This lamp is part of a collection called 'Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories'. Using the passion of the British for their gardens as a metaphor, the designers proposed prototype objects that examined the sense of alienation and frustration that lies beneath the surface of our personal relationships. Many of their solutions were witty and ironic, but the humour barely concealed a darker layer of anxiety. These prototypes are not intended to be mass-manufactured, but are intended to allow reflection on our relationships with objects, with nature and with each other. As such they show an interest in the conceptual content of designed objects that has inspired much innovation amongst contemporary designers.

This is called Moth Light and the designers described at as a game that only moths can play. Moths are hypnotised by light, but the motorised soft blades on this lamp gently brush them away so that the heat does not harm them. In this device nature and technology are, for once, in harmony.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Moth Light (assigned by artist)
  • Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Oak, pvc
Brief description
'Moth Light'; Light made of oak and pvc, designed by Dunne & Raby and Michael Anastassiades, 1998, British.
Physical description
Light made of oak with white pvc blades around the bulb; electric motor and cables attached at top
Dimensions
  • Height: 850mm
  • Width: 130mm
  • Depth: 130mm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
(2003)
Moth Light
A game that only moths can play

Oak, with electric light and motor
W.79-2002

Moths are hypnotised by light, but the soft blades on this lamp gently brush them away so the heat does not harm them. In this device nature and technology are, for once, in harmony.
Production
Attribution note: Commissioned by the British Council for exhibition in Prague
Reason For Production: Commission
Summary
This lamp is part of a collection called 'Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories'. Using the passion of the British for their gardens as a metaphor, the designers proposed prototype objects that examined the sense of alienation and frustration that lies beneath the surface of our personal relationships. Many of their solutions were witty and ironic, but the humour barely concealed a darker layer of anxiety. These prototypes are not intended to be mass-manufactured, but are intended to allow reflection on our relationships with objects, with nature and with each other. As such they show an interest in the conceptual content of designed objects that has inspired much innovation amongst contemporary designers.

This is called Moth Light and the designers described at as a game that only moths can play. Moths are hypnotised by light, but the motorised soft blades on this lamp gently brush them away so that the heat does not harm them. In this device nature and technology are, for once, in harmony.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
W.79-2002

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Record createdMarch 28, 2003
Record URL
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