theodore waddell is a friggin' brainiac, part 2: lighting

"Light Sticks-Horizontal Model"

Participation Lamp

aka the "7+ Lamp"

Zanotta 

1971

This lamp was my 2nd experience with

Teddy Waddell.

I remember seeing it at a Pier Show

a million years ago

and marveling over it.

It was $375

and I couldn't even think about buying

such a beautiful

but pretty much useless lamp.

I kept going back and looking at it.

I finally sold.

I recently bought one in Italy,

in the box, with the instructions,

BUT,

only 4 of the little lights work....

Anyone want to sell me some?

Make me some?

They sit here in the center...

Then you place them on the "poles"

and voila!!!

Philip Johnson liked it.

The New York Times liked it.

There was a version of this model on

"The Pig"

(ebay) 

recently.

It finally sold after the seller got realistic.

Kinda bummed I didn't buy it....

These are cool,

but I like the one I have better.

"Candy Column Lamp"

1965

These are GREAT!

Man, where is this now?

"Candy Column Lamp with Discs"

This is a detail of another version.

"'M' Lamp"

1968

How cool is this?

Great photo too.

But it is the description that kills:

D.I.Y. TEDDY!

M is for Mary

Table top model.

I think I like the floor model better.

Drawing of the table top version.

Have I mentioned I love his drawings???

"Semaphore Participation Lamp"

1969

So 70s in every way....

Theodore Waddell

(with Dante Bandini)

"Il Quadrato"

1971

Tigamma

I posted this lamp before 

here.

Nice shot.

"Il Globo"

Participation Lamp

1970

See what looks like a silver circle 

at the bottom of the plexiglas sphere? 

That is mercury.

When you move the light, 

you can make the mercury contact the

metal rods 

and that completes the circuit

and some (or all) of the bulbs light up.

FRIGGIN' GENIUS!

Love it.

I love mercury too.

I will have to do a post on 

Ron Mallory

my friend and mercury artist sometime soon....

"Dama Luce"

(Illuminated Checkers)

Participation lamp

1971

Kinda corny,

but I wouldn't kick it out of bed 

for eating crackers.

Speaking of which,

I will be posting Theodore Waddell

designed crackers tomorrow.

No shit!

Still loving his drawings.

This is of a magnetic lamp.

"SOFT WIRE DETAILS"

That's going to be the name of my next band.

Didn't somebody rip Teddy off with this one???

 Hum....

Great minds DO think alike, 

but who came first....

Arditi and Gianni Gamberini

or 

Teddy?

The Gamberini lamp dates to 1971

Teddy's to the same year.

Ok, who was rippin' who?

Anyone know?

Nice detail on the Gamberini.

(Photos courtesy of Wright20)

I kinda can't get enough

of these drawings.

This is going to be my next t-shirt design.

"Inflatable Lamp"

1971

Look at this freakin' thing!

The light source is sealed within.

"INTERACTION-- CHANGE THE DESGN YOURSELF"

"Lifesaver Lamp"

1971

Funny

More drawings of funny lamps.

"Thomas Alva Lamp, A Spoof"

1971

I included this for his studio stamp.

Pretty cool.

Wonder if he still lives in Florence?

Time for a visit!

Again,

MORE HERE.