First presented during Milan's Euroluce at the 2013 Salone del Mobile, Michael Anastassiades' String Lights, created for Flos, generated an immediate buzz over their deceptively simple design. Rather than try to hide pesky lighting cables, the Wallpaper* Handmade collaborator embraced them. Using 12 or 22 metre cords made from Kevlar reinforced coaxial cable, the wiring was used to draw neat, precise lines across a clean space, almost like an Etch A Sketch, finished off with discreet cone, or sphere-shaped pendants in matte black aluminum.
Anastassiades originally conceived the string lights in eight different configurations. But the Cypriot designer continued on a design bender well after the launch, churning out infinite ideas on how the lights could be hung. 'He was sending us over new configurations every day - it was like, "Oh my God,"' laughs Flos CEO Piero Gandini. 'We were losing our heads.'
As the lamps hit Flos stores worldwide this week, the company has issued a special design booklet to help consumers untangle the String Light's features. Not only does it give a breakdown of Anastassiades' formations, but an app for smart phones and tablets gives further details on how to set up the lights. The app also includes a profile on Anastassiades and his various work projects, as well as a dimmer function and on/off switch that can be operated by Bluetooth, Android or Apple remote control application.
The genius lies within their deceptively simple design. Rather than try to hide pesky lighting cables, Anastassiades embraced them
Using 12 or 22 metre cords made from Kevlar reinforced coaxial cable, the wiring is used to draw neat, precise lines across a clean space
Anastassiades originally conceived the lights in eight different configurations...
...But the Cypriot designer continued playing with them long after their Salone del Mobile 2013 launch, churning out infinite ideas on how the lights could be hung
As the lamps hit Flos stores worldwide, the company has also issued a special design booklet to help consumers with installation
The beautifully realised book showcases the finished look. The result is almost like an Etch A Sketch, finished off with discreet cone, or sphere-shaped pendants in matte black aluminum.
When two lamps are paired, the outcome is especially eye-catching
Detailed design drawings show options for installing each style, as well as how to display multiples.
To untangle the String Light's key features further still, Flos has designed an app for smart phones and tablets, offering details on how to set up the lights. The app also includes a dimmer function (featured right) and on/off switch that can be operated by Bluetooth, Android or Apple remote control application
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