Manta Rhei
2012
Manta Rhei merges physical movement and light choreography for a new kind of luminaire, the first to be based on OLED technology. The light sculpture is the result of a collaboration between light fixture manufacturer Selux and ART+COM and emerged from their joint exploration into ‘kinetic luminaires’.
Manta Rhei consists of fourteen 1.2 metre flexible metal lamellae, each of which carries ten paper-thin OLEDs. The lamellae are attached by thin steel wires to motors hidden in the ceiling. The individually controllable motors raise and lower the lamellae allowing the luminaire to perform various movement patterns.
Different choreographies of moving lamellae and animated light give the luminaire a poetic and performative spatial presence. At the same time, due to its minimalist design and constant lighting values, Manta Rhei is a functional and versatile light fixture. Constructed of modular elements, it can be easily scaled to different sizes.
Selux and ART+COM are planning to develop an entire family of kinetic luminaires based on this design concept.