Exhibition: Bernotat&Co

Radiolaria

by Bernotat&Co Design Studio

1 Oct 2014
1 Jul 2025

A series of eleven lamps made of 3D-knitted textile with glow-in-the-dark effect, inspired by microscopic organisms and the phenomenon of bioluminescence. When the light is switched off, the Radiolaria leave a mysterious green afterglow. Each lamp has a different shape and size. Are they bacteria? Plancton? Plant seeds? Or maybe planets?

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Radiolaria Lamps - These lamps are inspired by the lithographs by German biologist Ernst Haeckel. Bernotat&Co

With:

The pattern of each Radiolaria lamp is composed of platonic solids, as geometry lies at the basis of many natural forms. The main source of inspiration was the work of German zoologist and philosopher Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919), who published over 100 detailed illustrations of animals and sea creatures in his book Kunstformen der Natur (‘Art Forms of Nature’) in 1904. The overriding themes of the Kunstformen plates are symmetry and organization in nature. Among the notable prints are many radiolarians – unicellular organisms that produce intricate mineral skeletons –, which Haeckel helped to popularize among amateur microscopists.

Information

Radiolaria by Bernotat&Co Design Studio
Open during the opening hours of our restaurant

Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijkspark 6, Amsterdam
The installation is located in the Haeckel Kamer on the ground floor of Mediamatic Biotoop.

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Radiolaria switched on - Made from woven and knitted 3D spacer fabrics, which are normally hidden inside products and not used for optical purposes Marleen Sleeuwits

With: Bernotat&Co
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Radiolaria installed in the Haeckel Room - These lamps are inspired by German biologist Ernst Haeckel's lithographs. Anisa Xhomaqi

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Radiolaria switched off - When the light is switched off, the Radiolaria leave a mysterious green afterglow

With: Bernotat&Co

Videoprojection for http://www.bernotat.eu/

Find yourself submerged in an underwater world where organisms keep appearing and disappearing. During the Salone del Mobile in Milan 2014, Bernotat&Co present their installation MIKRO/MAKROKOSMOS, featuring the Radiolaria, a collection of lamps made of 3D-knitted textile with glow-in-the-dark effect, inspired by microscopic organisms. (This video was made as part of the installation, projected on a wall.)

Music: "Ohne Titel" by Jan Jelinek
http://www.beatport.com/track/ohne-titel-2002-original-mix/1909882

Stills: Rogier Chang / http://chang.nl
Logo design: Jeroen Koning / http://deaesthetischedienst.nl/

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Kunstformen the book - Visitor of the exhibition Kunstformen Der Natur, looking at the book from 1904. With in the background the radiolaria lamps from Bernotat&Co

With: Bernotat&Co
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Radiolaria lamps - Made from woven and knitted 3D spacer fabrics, which are normally hidden inside products and not used for optical purposes Malcolm Kratz