What a good idea. This is a show stopper and sure to spawn imitations. We are surprised that it hasn't been done before... by Ingo Maurer, for example.
Designed by Afroditi Krassa, "World View is a virtually weightless lighting fixture.Constructed from a cluster of 91 LEDs suspended from a silver helium balloon and anchored by a spool at floor level, World View proves the simplest, most humble materials can reach great heights."
Indeed. It will be available in through Innermost early next year and will cost @ $600. (Gizmodo) MGR
PS. Has anyone noticed that Gizmodo is inluding home furnishings in their weblog lately? What's that about?
Also proves, apparently, that the "simplest, most humble materials" can also reach great heights in price point and retail mark-up.
We knew someone would kick it off by complaining about price . . .
Kyouei has balloon lights for 2900 yen. I don't know how much that is, but I suspect it's a lot less than $600. Or, if flashing's your thing, ChemLite (www.chemlite.com) has balloon lights for twelve bucks a bag.
Chris-- I'm not usually a price-whiner. Just pointing out the irony of their own choice to put this high-ticket item in the realm of "humble."
They're not the only ones combining lights and balloons. Now "Balloominators" actually make the latex balloon light up, flash, and even change colors.