seoyesweus's blog

Believe it or not, this shadowy 'light sculpture' is made from a single sheet of folded fabric. This is made all the more impressive by the fact that the fabric itself is made from recycled plastic bottles.

IN-EI, which literally means "Shadow, Shadiness, Nuance," is a collection of futuristic-looking lights conceived by Japanese fashion designer Isser Miyake for Italian lighting company Armetide.

"When you see them, you can’t help feeling moved; when you understand them, you are full of wonder seeing a future we thought unreachable and couldn’t imagine this beautiful," says Armetide founder Ernesto Gismondi.

The lights have been developed as part of an ongoing design process by Miyake's research and development team Reality Lab. Called 132.5, the process uses a mathematical program with 3-D geometric principles to turn single pieces of folded fabric into three-dimensional garments or sculptures.

The fabric from which the lamps are made is derived entirely from recycled materials. Internally illuminated by LED Lights, the material diffuses light in an interesting and unexpected fashion, resulting in subtle layers of light and shadow.

The lamps hold their shape without the need for an internal frame but can just as easily be folded flat, making them easy to transport and store if necessary.

The collection recently scooped up the iF Product Design Award for 2013. The lamps are on show at the Issey Miyake boutique at 11 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris, until 30 June as part of city-wide festival Designer's Day.