ingo maurer: biotope + johnny b.butterfly

'spirits flying high', an exhibition of ingo maurer's newest pieces is on show at spazio krizia
for milan design week 2011. included in the installation are 'biotope' and 'johnny b. butterfly',
two new designs that represent the elevated mood with which the studio has approached their
ideas and objects over the last year.



overall installation
image © designboom


'biotope', a new project that had captivated maurer takes center stage at the exhibition. standing
four meters tall, the vibrant green structure appears to be full of life, inviting the viewer to
continuously discover new elements and objects. hand-made insects - each a work of art on their
own - flutter out of natural sponges which conceal the source of light and filter the colorful and
diverse lumens that are emitted from it.



detail of natural sponges
image © designboom



lizards and insects are strategically placed throughout the piece
image © designboom



different sponges add a dynamic range of textures
image © designboom



butterfly
image © designboom



detail of insects
image © designboom



light peeks through the sponges
image © designboom



image © designboom



the piece tapers towards the bottom, giving it a more natural and organic shape
image © designboom



a small model sits below the object
image © designboom



model
image © designboom



table lamp versions
image © designboom



'biotope' and 'johnny b.butterfly'
image © designboom


the exceptionally detailed insects, created by an american artisan gave birth to 'johnny b. butterfly',
a small limited series of pendants. butterflies and dragonflies dance around an over-sized light bulb,
wrapped with a frosted strip of telfon to create a whimsical and light-hearted fixture.



'johnny b.butterfly' light
image © designboom



a frosted teflon band wraps around the bulb to diffuse the light source
image © designboom



insects float off of the light bulb
image © designboom



detail of butterfly and the shadow it casts
image © designboom



detail of insects
image © designboom



insects line the over-sized bulbs
image © designboom



overall bulb
image courtesy of ingo maurer



detail of butterfly
image courtesy of ingo maurer



detail of dragonfly
image courtesy of ingo maurer