In a groundbreaking initiative that merges artistic experimentation with innovative lighting design, GRAU proudly launches its first Artist Edition in collaboration with Norwegian-German artist Yngve Holen. This new venture invites artists to explore avant-garde visions surrounding the medium of light, with GRAU’s creative directors, Timon & Melchior Grau, guiding these collaborations to create bold, limited-edition statements.
The result, entitled Alien, is an extraordinary sculptural table lamp that transcends mere functionality, embodying a hauntingly beautiful and strangely familiar aesthetic. Crafted from fluorescent green glass mounted on a polished aluminum body, Alien exudes an extraterrestrial vibe, transforming the remnants of an ancient meteoric event—fifteen million years in the making—into a captivating contemporary experience.
At the center of the project is the shape of moldavite, a rare stone generated by the impact of a meteorite that occurred around 15 million years ago. From this event, through high-resolution 3D scans, a luminous glass design object comes to life, crafted to create both an alien and futuristic atmosphere. Its irregular surface evokes both a cosmic artifact and a biological form, leaving space for a free personal interpretation while creating light reflections that constantly change within the space, thanks to its ability to react to UV rays. Alien does not just illuminate a room; it defines an atmosphere.
Each of the 200 limited pieces is unique, showcasing the outputs of mouth-blown, UV-reactive glass, with a specifically conceptualized dynamic light that creates a stunning light experience. This extraordinary lamp represents the intersection of GRAU’s vision of light and Holen’s sculptural practice, resulting in a piece that speaks to the intricate relationship between humans, technology, and the objects that populate our world. As an artifact of both art and design, Alien invites viewers to ponder the layered meanings embedded within its form—reflecting not only the cosmos but also our own human anxieties.
The Berlin cultural and artistic hub where Alien was presented is the ideal setting for projects that evade traditional categories; it is not merely a showroom but an experiential space where design becomes visual culture. This environment allows the Alien lamp to flourish—transitioning from simple illumination to a transformative presence, revealing the importance of narrative in our everyday lives.
In Alien, light no longer merely illuminates a space; it becomes presence, matter, and imagination. It is in this tension between precise design and extraterrestrial suggestion that the collaboration between Yngve Holen and GRAU finds its most powerful form: an object that has come from elsewhere, incredibly distant yet familiar, enriching the discourse between art and design in our modern reality and reaffirming their shared significance in shaping cultural narratives. Through this unique collaboration, GRAU and Holen push boundaries, setting a new standard for what can be achieved when innovative design and profound artistic reflection converge.
Photography: Sarah Blais
Words by student Annalisa Stenico coordinated by Mira W. at Moodart