KIPINÄ
A SPARK
Kipinä, meaning a spark in Finnish, explores primitive and historical ways of making and controlling fire and how those methods and interactions can be brought into modern lighting. Fire needs constant care, and so do these interactive objects. Through these experiments I am exploring the controlling of electrical light through unusual but intuitive and playful ways. Product family consist four different approaches and prototypes all inspired by fire.
Fire has played a big role in my life. I’ve spent most of my summers on a small island in an ascetic Finnish summer house with no modern comforts such as electricity or running water. Fire for me means a source of light, energy for cooking, heating the house, or boiling water for cleaning. Today, when everything works so obviously and effortlessly, interacting with objects, in this case lights, creates a bond between the objects and user. To me, it’s a celebration of light.
KIPINÄ - A SPARK 2019
CANDLE
In this approach I am using a candle more precisely the flame of a candle as a switch and as a timer for electrical light. When the candle is lit the light is on. Turning the light down happens by blowing the candle out. Candle measures time and it works as a visual narrative to recognize how much time is left. It also works as a reminder to turn the light off when leaving the house
FLINT
Fire is a chemical reaction requiring some input of energy – a spark or a spasm of heat to begin the process. With this approach a spark will activate and switch the light on. In the beginning of the fire making process, blowing oxygen into the fire is often needed. Increasing the brightness and extinguishing the electrical light happens by blowing, simulating the natural behaviour of fire.
HAND DRILL
Fire can be created through friction by rapidly grinding pieces of wood against each other. By rubbing hands together around the spindle, downward pressure and spinning creates potentially heat and the glowing coal can be used for making actual fire. Turning the electrical light on happens by spinning the wooden dowel. Electrical light will react to the speed of the spindle and increases at the same time. When certain level has been reached the light is on. After a while the same interaction needs to be repeated, otherwise the light will slowly dim down.
MATCH
Modern matches were invented in early 19th century. The interaction is similar to a flint, only instead of the flint and piece of steal striking a match against the side of the matchbox will create fire. Compare to a flint and steel, matches are relatively safe option to create fire. A Match is a wall switch for controlling general lights or pendant lights. Turning the lights on happens by striking a match and adjusting the brightness happens by blowing.
