Revolutionizing Illumination: Anarkhos Design's 'Muse'

Winner of the Golden A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2013

Anarkhos Design, a team of innovative designers, has created a unique lamp named 'Muse'. The design is inspired by the teachings of 'Won Buddhism', which states that there are no absolute qualities in our universe. This philosophy led the team to give a paradoxical quality to 'light' by giving it a 'physical presence'. The spirit of meditation that it encourages was a powerful source of inspiration used to create this product; embodying the qualities of 'time', 'matter', and 'light' into a single product.

'Muse' is not just a lamp; it's an experience. The design consists of a luminaire that contains a quantity of water that constantly evaporates and condenses within a contained vessel. The condensed droplets of water disturb the surface of the water at regular intervals to alter the quality of light that fills the space. By introducing a quality of 'time' to light, Anarkhos Design has given it 'form'. In essence, they are able to 'fill up' a given space with 'nothing' (无). It is the expression of the union of 'nihility' and 'fullness'.

The lamp is constructed using a full body copper housing with hot soldered joints and a vessel made of hot blown glass with a copper rim. The lower vessel and the condensation lid are joined together by a ‘screw fix’. The ‘Vessel’ is joined together by a copper latch for ease of disassembly. The lamp houses a 100 Watt incandescent bulb as the sole source of light and heat.

However, the design of 'Muse' is not just about its physical properties. The quantity of water to be contained, the wattage of the bulb, and the temperature of the installation space will all affect the interval of the condensation droplets. This means that each installation can be tailored to customize the ‘mood’ of the space to be created. It's a design that interacts with its environment and its users, creating a unique experience each time.

The design of 'Muse' posed several challenges for Anarkhos Design. The team had to find a form follows function aesthetic that was simple, durable, and easy to assemble. They came up with two solutions, each with its own unique aesthetic and functionality. The first design focused on creating a timeless aesthetic with a single point of condensation. The second design was simpler to construct and had multiple points of condensation, creating a 'raindrop' effect.

This innovative design was recognized with the Golden A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2013. The award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.