Central Saint Martin’s graduate Marcus Kane has developed a self-powered light that uses kinetic energy to generate 15 minutes of light at a time.
Tempo is a circular wall light with an internal mechanic motor inside, powered by a user-operated counter-weight. When you pull down a tab on one side, it raises the weight on the other side. As the weight slowly falls, it generates kinetic energy in the motor inside, which powers the light, until the weight reaches the floor.
“As the weight returns to the floor and moves past the light, the quality of light changes, emphasising the relationship between time and light,” explained Marcus. “This is also shown in the visual language of the piece, its movements and weights are derived from the grandfather clock.”
The piece was created for a final year project in collaboration with lighting brand Artemide, who briefed students to create sustainable products that fit their ‘human light philosophy.’
“I wanted to look for a way to challenge our concept of how sustainability can be achieved, but also how to incorporate it into products,” said the designer. “Mechanical mechanisms are often overlooked despite having much to give.”
The light is designed for places where lighting is required only temporarily such as in corridors, staircases and bathrooms, and while falling asleep.
“It is this point that helps push the idea of being conservative with our energy use,” said Marcus. “We are coming to a point in time where we will need to change our current methods of power, Tempo was my step in this direction and it is a pathway of design I believe will definitely need to become more prominent.”
Tempo was shown as part of The Intelligent Optimist during the London Design Festival – a show that sought to counter novelist Howard Jacobson’s claim that “I have never met an Intelligent Optimist.” A statement from Central Saint Martin’s explains: “The Intelligent Optimist exhibition goes to the heart of everything we do at Central Saint Martins. The work of our students is almost by default optimistic – why design the world as a worse place? – and is always shot through with a canny intelligence. The Intelligent Optimist has never been needed more than in the current era of political and social despondency. We are all looking for alternative visions, but not naively hopeful ones. In their various combinations of wit, rigour, lateral thinking, sensuousness, ingenuity, social engagement and all round intelligence, these Central Saint Martins graduates provide a brilliant riposte to Jacobson’s claim.”
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- interview :: made by michael
- interview :: nordvink
- interview :: james molkenthin
- interview :: richard hardy
