If the shape and movement of the Yakuza Lou chandelier by Eddy Sykes looks familiar, think back to the paper fortuneteller games you may have used as a kid to impress friends with your ability to predict the future.
The handmade chandelier is based on expandable surface articulation: the origami design allows the chandelier to unfold to nearly twice its size. Within the folding planes are delicate glass bulbs that reflect off the brass surfaces and shine through the perforations within the pattern.
Sykes explains the range of light and movement:
"When the chandelier is closed, the lights are off and hidden. When the chandelier is turned on, the source lights 'unfold' and begin to increase illumination in sync with the expansion of the piece. A special dimmer control increases lighting wattage so the level of light is related to the size and position of the chandelier itself.
The lighting is brightest when the chandelier is fully open. A programmable remote controls both the lighting and the action so the level of light can be adjusted independently of the sculpture itself.
The user can have the light intensity relative to the chandelier over the course of a few seconds to a few hours, gradually illuminating a space to create an experience akin to a time lapse film of a flower blooming or a snowflake forming.
A simple 12-volt motor that opens and closes the chandelier is integrated into the fixture, so no special wiring is required."
