Tolomeo desk lamp
Encyclopedia
The Tolomeo incandescent desk lamp is an icon of Italian
modern design
. It was designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina in 1986 for the Artemide
company. In its original configuration, it consists of a heavy base, two straight polished aluminum arm sections (each approximately 45 cm long), and a matte aluminum reflector head which can swivel 360º. Steel tension cables attached to springs hidden inside the arms complete the constant-tension structure. Tolomeo is the Italian version of the name Ptolemy. In the dot-com period, it became popular as a symbol of conspicuous consumption
and high design consciousness in high-tech companies as well as in architectural
and graphic design
offices. It won the Compasso d'Oro
design prize in 1989.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
modern design
Industrial design
Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
. It was designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina in 1986 for the Artemide
Artemide
ArtemideArtemis , in the religions of ancient Greece is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo. She was one of the most revered gods of Olympus and its origin dates back to ancient times. [1] In Roman times she was associated with Diana, while the Etruscans with the name...
company. In its original configuration, it consists of a heavy base, two straight polished aluminum arm sections (each approximately 45 cm long), and a matte aluminum reflector head which can swivel 360º. Steel tension cables attached to springs hidden inside the arms complete the constant-tension structure. Tolomeo is the Italian version of the name Ptolemy. In the dot-com period, it became popular as a symbol of conspicuous consumption
Conspicuous consumption
Conspicuous consumption is spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth. In the mind of a conspicuous consumer, such display serves as a means of attaining or maintaining social status....
and high design consciousness in high-tech companies as well as in architectural
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
offices. It won the Compasso d'Oro
Compasso d'Oro
Compasso d'Oro is the name of an Industrial Design award originated in Italy in 1954 by the La Rinascente company from an original idea of Gio Ponti and Alberto Rosselli. From 1964 it has been hosted exclusively by Associazione per il Disegno Industriale . It is the first and most recognized award...
design prize in 1989.