IMPERMANENCE: LIGHT, TIME & MOTION
‘Impermanence’ is rooted from the belief of phenomena condition, where the conclusion to an experience – whether psychological, social or even physical – is coherently a transcendence into another identity or mode of being, bearing in mind that there is nothing that ultimately cease to exist. This means that creation is always in the process of deconstruction, and what is being destroyed is always coming to be, not simultaneously or separately, but dependently.
Imagery board for design direction
Translating Impermanence into a contemporary context, its transcendental nature parallels the notion of time. Time is unceasing and an end of a time is the start of another, like a cyclic occurrence, such as day and night, or birth and death. Time is an indicator of motion, and the project believes that motion could stir one’s consciousness towards the transience of time through his or her senses (Figure 14). This theme also exhibits an organic manifestation in terms of the inherent quality brought about by the impermanence of things.
INTENT & DIRECTION
Mirage, as the name suggest, is a lamp that explores the element of light, time, motion and water, and plays with the optical occurrence created with from light and water. An organic light form of subtle variance that echoes emotion, the light becomes transient yet unceasing, celebrating the ‘moment’ of phenomena experiences with its user.
Referencing the spiritual philosophy of Impermanence, Mirage seeks to awaken one’s sentient state through the synthesis of nature and technology.
FINAL DESIGN
Harnessing both the fluidity of water and the lustrous light, the lamp is not simply a lamp, but a piece of instrument that reminds and prompts the user into timed interludes. Incisively designed to enrich the experience and provoke the consciousness of the simple need for a breather from work through the motion of rippling water.
A positive disruption, the therapeutic quality of the water motion is translated and brought into an urban environment and being injected into the daily life.
Mirage provides an indirect lighting where the light is reflected and projected onto the desk for a diffused and gentler light quality.
Mirage is a system by itself whereby an integrated timer would activate a synchronized miniature fan unit, causing the surface of the encapsulated water to undulate and thus projecting the analogue effect onto the table top through the light source.
Mirco-conroller is programmed and connected to both the fan unit and the remote sensor encased in the steel box within the concrete base.
User could set the time interval for rest via a simple mobile application that wirelessly synchronizes to the receiver of the integrated microcontroller, which then activates the fan unit to trigger the water motion, hence the timed projection of the water effect.
Fabrication process
Working prototype of Mirage functioning as a floor standing task lamp for the table.
Mirage prototype functioning as a reading lamp, which could be placed next to a couch.
Mirage on exhibition in Art Science Museum @ Marina May Sands Singapore
