Illuminating Legacy: Mathmos Marks 60 Years with Sabine Marcelis
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the iconic British brand Mathmos, known as the inventor of the lava lamp, has collaborated with multi-disciplinary designer Sabine Marcelis for a limited edition version of its classic Astro lava lamp. Sabine Marcelis is recognised for her innovative play with light and colour, which she has seamlessly integrated into this special edition design. The collaboration encapsulates a modern, minimalist aesthetic while retaining the enchanting nature of the traditional lava lamp.
For this project, Marcelis introduced her signature minimalist design approach to the Astro lava lamp by utilizing white and a single soft matt color to offer a contemporary touch to the product. The metal base and cap of the lamp are painted matt white, and the bottle, housing the yellow lava, is etched to create a softening and blurring effect on the moving lava. The packaging is also designed in matt white with spot-varnished details, and a white fabric cable with a translucent switch and plug completes the design. The branding is subtly done, with only a bespoke white limited-edition sticker underneath the lamp displaying the number of the edition out of the 600 pieces produced. Marcelis aimed to create a serene and aesthetic piece that could be both a living accessory or a collector's item, with her design exuding calm and purity.
The uniqueness of this design lies in its ability to embody a blank canvas when turned off, and only upon being turned on does the color within the lamp become apparent. Marcelis's design emphasizes the mysterious allure of the lava lamp's liquid material, enhanced by etching the bottle to veil the lava, subtly showcasing the movement and diffusing light for a pleasant atmospheric effect.
This limited edition lava lamp is one among five other collaborations Mathmos has planned with various creative individuals from the fields of design, music, and photography, as part of their 60th-anniversary celebration. Each collaboration, including Marcelis's, is strictly limited to 600 pieces, each handcrafted in Britain and priced at £130 / 150EU, including delivery. These unique pieces are available exclusively on Mathmos' websites, launched weekly every Thursday from 28th September, as part of a series of collaborations to bring fresh perspectives to the classic Astro lava lamp while honouring Mathmos's rich history and enduring appeal in the world of pop design.
