Prometheus ILight: A Unique and Interactive Pendant Light

An Innovative Design by Ionut Sur

The Prometheus ILight is a groundbreaking pendant light that combines art, design, and technology to create a truly unique and interactive lighting experience. Designed by Ionut Sur, this project draws inspiration from Greek mythology and the story of Prometheus, who stole knowledge from the Gods to share it with mankind.

What sets the Prometheus ILight apart is its use of two basic geometrical shapes: the sphere and the cube. The sphere represents Prometheus' light of knowledge, encapsulating it within a protective shell. When the light is turned on, the sphere opens up, revealing the warm light that symbolizes the fraction of knowledge shared with mankind. The exterior of the sphere is covered with wood veneer, representing the first step in understanding, while the interior is adorned with gold foil, symbolizing the complexity and true nature of knowledge.

The cube, on the other hand, represents the source of knowledge, the Gods themselves. Fitted with a strip of LEDs, the cube generates cold, pure light, symbolizing the boundary between the two levels of existence and perception. The contrast between the warm light of the sphere and the cold light of the cube creates a visually striking and thought-provoking experience.

The realization of the Prometheus ILight involved a meticulous design process and the use of advanced technologies. The sphere, with a diameter of 60 cm and a segment height of 37.08 cm, is deviated using the Golden Ratio, resulting in a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing form. The motion of the opening segments is generated using a spring return actuator, commonly used in ventilation and air conditioning systems. The actuator is connected to a master spur gear, which turns five pinions, opening the segments in a synchronized manner.

The Prometheus ILight also incorporates a black acrylic cube as the ceiling cup, which houses the strip of LEDs. The cube is constructed using a ratio of 7/30 in relation to the sphere, ensuring a harmonious visual balance. The base material used is acrylic, assembled using adhesive welding, and the exterior of the sphere is covered with Wenge veneer, adding a touch of elegance to the design. The interior of the sphere is lined with 24K gold foil, which acts as insulation from the heat generated by the light bulb.

The interaction with the Prometheus ILight is simple yet captivating. When the light switch is turned on, the actuator and spur gears open the five segments, revealing the warm light from the sphere. When the power is turned off, the spring incorporated in the actuator closes the segments without the need for electrical power, ensuring a maintenance-free and seamless experience.

Although the Prometheus ILight is not yet available in physical form, a working prototype will be unveiled in the coming month. This design project posed several challenges, particularly in finding a reliable and simple system to power the motion of the segments. The system needed to be maintenance-free, compact, lightweight, and capable of closing the segments without the use of electrical power.

The Prometheus ILight has received recognition for its innovative design. In 2013, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Lighting Products and Fixtures Design category. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that exhibit outstanding creativity, technical skill, and resourcefulness, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.