Japanese Light Design Brand Ambientec Presents “hymn”, a Contemporary Interpretation of a Traditional Chamberstick

ADF10/15/2021≫ Design

Ambientec "hymn"

A Swaying Candle-like Light Presented by Ambientec's New Nomadic Lamp

The Japanese light design brand Ambientec presents the new "hymn" nomadic lamp. Intimate and joyful, the candle-like light of HYMN is a captivating sight. A contemporary interpretation of a traditional chamberstick candle holder, Ambientec's new portable lamp brings the charm of an antique heirloom into the world of modern light design. This new project comes from the fortuitous meeting of Ambientec’s spirit of curious exploration and the young Japanese designer, Hiroto Yoshizane's inspiration.

Photo credit: Giuseppe De Francesco

The use of fire has led to the rapid evolution of human civilization. People gather, pray, eat, and talk around it, as if a magnetic field has been built up since the ancient times. I think that rethinking fire and rethinking light is synonymous with rethinking human life.

Fascinated by the motion of light, Ambientec’s visionary founder and CEO Yoshinori Kuno was struck by Hiroto Yoshizoe’s prototype on display at the 2019 SaloneSatellite in Milan: its most interesting feature was its ability to translate the hypnotic dynamism of a candle flame into a luminous modern design object. The development of the patent-pending project took two years of research and development. As in all its lamps, Ambientec combines poetic design, LED technology and high jewellery workmanship: a distinctive element of HYMN is the pendulum in movement thanks to the repulsive force of magnets.

Photo credit: Rie Amano

Hiroto Yoshizoe has designed HYMN as an essential, extremely modern candle holder, with a base and handle made of anodized aluminum in gold or black finishing. A small lens in transparent acrylic material lies on a thin metal holder: a kind of luminous pendulum, ready to sway and rotate.

Photo credit: Hiroshi Iwasaki

The soft and warm color of 2000K, like a candle, is an essential element in the world view of hymn. The flickering light is created by the movement of the pendulum lens, and the characteristic movement of the LED light when it is on and off is also a key of the design. When the light is turned on, it shines strongly as if on fire, subsequently settling down its intensity. After that, you can choose a stronger intensity if you like. When the light is turned off, it blinks out like a fire, playfully expressing the fun of interaction with light.

Photo credit: Giuseppe De Francesco

Photo credit: Hiroshi Iwasaki

It is also IP66 waterproof, which means it can withstand strong water flow from all directions, when used in the bathroom or outdoors. The dome-shaped glass shade is one of the features that makes hymn unique as it adopts a shape that cannot be achieved by ordinary fire.

Photo credit: Rie Amano

Photo credit: Rie Amano

About Hiroto Yoshizoe

After studying scenography and display and fashion design at Musashino Art University, Hiroto Yoshizoe worked for an interior design company and later went freelance. Today, he lives and works in Tokyo, where he is in charge of art direction and spatial design for hotels, restaurants and retail environments, designing installations, decorations and architectural elements.

He has also collaborated with numerous international design companies and fashion brands, from Italy to Brazil, the United States and China. He lectures regularly at Kyoto University of the Arts. Among his awards and honors are the Grand Prix at the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2017, and he was chosen as one of the young emerging designers featured in “dwell24,” an initiative launched by the American magazine Dwell.

About Ambientec

The Japanese light design brand was launched in 2009. Founder and CEO Yoshinori Kuno had previously created AOI Japan Co., Ltd. in 1999, specializing in the production of protective underwater cases for professional photography equipment and, later, a full line of professional lighting for underwater photography under the RGBlue brand, still a synonym for high quality today. Ambientec was created to explore new frontiers in portable lighting for everyday spaces: from outdoors to the bath, from the home to the elegant café. High-quality components and refined design come together to create inimitable products Driven by experience in photography gear, Ambientec’s portable, rechargeable, and waterproof lamps are made with masterful precision in ultra-sturdy materials that make them - in terms of both style and durability - indestructible.