An electric lamp with a robotic looking anatomy constructed of rigid narrow metal pipe. The core has a canister with four circular indentations on its surface. Three top branches support magnifying glass-like lights. The bottom two extensions of pipe resemble legs bending at the knee with small discs at the ends laying flush to the floor.

See more objects with the tag , light, lamp, biotechnology, glow.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
2018	Work on this object began.
2019	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Electric Life, 2018

It was designed by Teresa van Dongen. It is dated 2018. Its medium is lamp. It is a part of the department.

This lamp is powered by electrochemically active bacteria that require regular feeding of acetate and water to survive. Inside a microbial fuel cell, bacteria emit electrical currents and exchange electrons with an electrode. The electrode powers 3 light-emitting diodes that produce a sustained, dim glow. The living lamp and its owner have a symbiotic relationship in which the lamp provides illumination, but only if the bacteria are nurtured.

It is credited Courtesy of Teresa van Dongen.

Leaf Light Task Lamp
aluminum, plastic, rubber, led.
Gift of Herman Miller, Inc..
2006-21-1-a,b

Table Lamp Table Lamp
mold-blown soda glass, brass, copper, wood (base), metal, wire.
Gift of Paul F. Walter.
2009-10-1-a,b

African American female model with eyes slightly closed standing with hands cupped at the front of her body and barefoot. She stands in the middle of a lighted pathway with black walls to the sides and gray background. She is wearing an assembled grayish irregularly lengthed tunic.

Project Coelicolor: Terroir 001, Assemblage 002
textile (terroir 001) and dust coat (assemblage 002) of silk and streptomyces....
Courtesy of Natsai Audrey Chieza.
NATURE.061

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Nature—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/4wUs7T/
Accession Number NATURE.046
Object ID 2318798871