Bioluminescent Lamp by Teresa van Dongen

This glowing blue lamp is a conceptual design by Teresa van Dongen. The suspended lamp is composed of two brass weights and an azure glass tube.

Likeness to lightsabers and Dr. Manhattan aside, the design is an interesting move in eco-friendly lighting. The lamp eschews electricity, instead relying on bioluminescent octopus bacteria, which van Dongen calls “Ambio.” The bacteria naturally glow when moved, and the lamp “turns on” with a slight push.

As of yet, the bacteria die off after two days, so the design is still in development. In the future, the designers strive to find a feeder solution that will sustain the bacteria without overcrowding the vessel. The end goal is to create an installation that shows the environmental and aesthetic possibilities of biolume.