Streaming Edison: 21st Century Luminescence

Unlike certain eras of 20th Century design such as Art Deco, Futurism, Modernism, and Post Modernism, Post-Millennium lighting design is not easily identified by a single ‘trend’ or ‘look’. Streaming Edison is not an encyclopedic survey of every significant post-2000 light, or designer, or manufacturer, however the 40 fixtures displayed here are representative works from both smaller scale production, primarily from Canada, and large scale manufacturing from well-known international designers and manufacturers. Even within these distinctions of smaller and larger scale production are found expressions of the individual approach of the designer and a reflection of specific manufacturers’ philosophy, be they intentionally artisanal, or feats of technical prowess.

The most significant change in lighting since the year 2000 is the demise of the incandescent light bulb (the official nod to Mr. Edison’s patent), which has been globally legislated out of production, in favour of more ‘eco’ (green and economical) bulbs such as LED, CFL and other energy efficient lighting systems. The quality and colour spectrum of light has changed as a result. The intension of the Streaming Edison exhibition is to focus attention on the distinctions in approach, design and light provided by these works, within an atmospheric environment, while introducing our audience to some of the key designers currently at work in this field.

• Arturo Alvarez
• Anony
• Michal Maciej Bartosik
• Bomma
• Bover
• Brothers Dressler
• Tom Dixon
• Dyson
• Koncept
• Ingo Maurer
• Partisans
• Quasar
• Ridgely Studio Works

Esther E. Shipman
Curator, Architecture & Design
Cambridge Art Galleries, Idea Exchange

Special thanks to klaus, Eurolite, Founded by Garcia, and Furco Electric Inc. for their support of this exhibition.