IN-EI, Japanese for "shadow, shadiness, nuance," is a new lighting collection created by Issey Miyake and his research and development team "Reality Lab."
The art of lighting has a conceptual and technological heritage at the Miyake Design Studio, dating back to 2010, when Issey Miyake and Reality Lab introduced "132 5." IN-EI Issey Miyake was born from a collaboration with Artemide marrying their lighting expertise with Reality Lab's innovative approach to the material and design.
The lighting collection includes free-standing, table and hanging lights. Each lampshade is created using 2D or 3D mathematical principals, where light and shade harmoniously alternate. Miyake's unique folding technology creates both statuesque forms as well as sufficient solidity.
The project revolves around a fabric derived from entirely recycled materials, a re-treated fibre made using PET bottles, that diffuses the light in extremely interesting ways. The bottles are processed using an innovative technology that reduces both energy consumption and CO2 emissions up to 40% when compared to the production of new materials.
The structure of the recycled material, together with an additional surface treatment allows these shades to perfectly keep their shape without the need for internal frame, and to be re-shaped when needed. They can be easily stored flat when not in use.
Issey Miyake's artistic vision, applied to the new 3D mathematical process, combines the Japanese tradition of light with Miyake's unique ability to translate tradition into modernity. Artemide animates these sustainable and striking shapes using LED lighting, today's most relevant sustainable technology.
"When you see them, you can't help feeling moved; when you understand them, you are full of wonder seeing a future we thought unreachable and couldn't imagine this beautiful," commented Ernesto Gismondi, founder of Artemide.
