Staley, Tammy: "Enlighten"

Chandeliers, since their inception, have been emblematic of excess. Historically, this excess was demonstrated by unrestrained formal ornamentation or what Gottfried Semper might describe as art struggling with “an abundance of means.” The “excess” represented by modern chandeliers is manifested less by formal quality (kudos to Adolf Loos), than through an actual (as well as metaphorical) association with the unwarranted consumption of natural resources and the growing issue of “light pollution.”

“Enlighten” is designed to be a conversation piece as well as a source of functional lighting. It is intended to focus attention on how human excess affects our environment. Formally, it represents oxygen being converted to ozone, a molecule which is both a greenhouse gas and a constituent of smog. While Stratospheric ozone shields us from ultra violet (UV) radiation, in the Troposphere (where we live), this extremely reactive molecule damages forests and crops; destroys nylon, rubber, and other materials; and injures living tissue. Since 1900, the amount of Tropospheric ozone near the earth's surface has more than doubled. Oxygen (02) is converted to Ozone (03) gas by UV radiation.  All light bulbs emit varying degrees of UV radiation.

 Design: The light emitting portion of the chandelier consists of a 12 inch round brushed nickel, spherical base unit with 15 equally spaced, recessed receptacles. Each receptacle holds a one inch diameter round fluorescent bulb that protrudes approximately one half inch from the silver spherical body itself (see diagram).  Extending from the sphere are representations of ozone molecules (O3). Brushed nickel extension rods connect the molecules of ozone to the sphere. Each 1/4 inch diameter extension rod connects to the sphere by means of a threaded fitting (they screw in). The molecules are clear glass spheres with a faint blue cast (like ozone)connected by thin rigid wire.

Frontal View

"Enlighten"

One approach to marketing this product would be to create a larger version of the chandelier for public viewing, perhaps displayed against a large image of a satellite’s nighttime view of the Earth.
Each smaller version of the chandelier could be sold with a satellite image and an explanation of the environmental impact of man made light.