Stefania Vola's Cobra: A Lighting Revolution

Golden A' Design Award Winner Transforms Lighting with Innovative Design

Stefania Vola, an acclaimed designer, drew inspiration from the Möbius strip, a non-orientable topological figure, and the cobra, a symbol of power and grace. The result is a unique lighting fixture that evokes the figure of a cobra, with its LED lighting casting a looming shadow of a cobra head on the wall or around the room. The Cobra is available in both wall and table versions, with dimensions of 190mm(W), 130mm(P), and 515mm(H).

The Cobra's unique properties lie in its simplicity and elegance. Crafted from black or white carbon fiber, the design is a perfect blend of form and function. The light source is strategically placed in the base, which not only illuminates the room but also highlights the artistic value of the object. It's a design that is as much a piece of art as it is a lighting fixture.

The production of the Cobra required a blend of technology and craftsmanship. The lamp is made from carbon fiber, with painted steel parts, and features LED lighting that is dimmable. The design was realized in Italy between 2011-2012, with the help of resin modeler Michele Garofalo.

The Cobra posed several design challenges, the primary one being the creation of an iconic sign with emotional value using the Möbius strip. The use of carbon fiber was particularly suitable to express the formal movement. The choice of placing the light source in the base, leaning on it as on a pedestal, ironically shows the artistic value of the object, generating a play of light and shadows.

The Cobra is not just a lighting fixture; it's a design revolution. It was awarded the Golden A' Design Award in 2013, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. The award recognizes products and ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, Stefania Vola's Cobra is a testament to the transformative power of design. It's a lighting fixture that transcends its function, becoming a piece of art that illuminates not just the room, but also the limitless possibilities of design.