A pair of adjustable 'Spyre' table lamps, 2016

“In the process of developing the Spyre we made some scale models in the studio using magnets in the joints – 'they would make great desk lights – let's do some. No, let's not, we'll ask Ingo to do it. He knows so much more about lights than us'. Luckily Ingo's response was immediately enthusiastic. We exchanged geometries with Ingo and his team, and we had a meeting in Milan where we saw a very impressive prototype of the light. It's great that Ingo kept the magnet connections, and great that there's a nice warm light that can be pointed anywhere, upwards, on itself etc. The sculpture doesn't 'see' now, but it throws light on things.” Ron Arad, London, June 2016

The concept for this light is derived from a larger sculpture which Arad conceived for the Royal Academy courtyard as part of their 2016 summer exhibition. The original ‘Spyre’ sculpture was 16 metres high and made from weathered steel that concealed its internal mechanisms. Each segment moved at different speeds which ensured that the installation’s unpredictable postures were never repeated. A camera was positioned at the tip of the structure and it relayed live footage to a screen on the façade of the Academy.

This lot is sold with a certificate of authenticity signed by Ingo Maurer and Ron Arad.