Sabine Marcelis Transforms Tradition with Towering Lava Lamps
Dutch artist and designer Sabine Marcelis, celebrated for her vibrant designs, has once again turned her attention to lighting with a striking installation at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. Her collaboration with Mathmos, the originator of the ‘Astro’ lava lamp, is a spectacle of color and movement that pushes boundaries. This enthralling showcase is an exploration of innovative design that blends nostalgia with modern aesthetics.
A Journey in Light and Color: New Design Series
Mathmos and Marcelis have embarked on their third partnership, previously crafting yellow, burgundy, and green variants, alongside the tallest lava lamp ever in 2025. For her solo exhibition, “Light and Color,” Marcelis introduces the mesmerizing ‘Mathmos Lava Columns,’ a stunning series of 296cm lamps showcasing a new bubblegum-pink hue. This presentation is a testament to Marcelis’s creativity and the timeless appeal of the lava lamp.
The exhibition, open from 30 October 2026 to 4 April 2027 at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, is an immersive experience exploring transparency, reflection, opacity, and translucency. Marcelis intertwines elements like furniture, mirrors, and spatial installations, spotlighting her fascination with light’s interaction with materials. This installation provides a rich, sensory journey that celebrates the unique qualities of light and design.
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Immersion in a Retro-Futuristic World
Marcelis’s approach offers a non-traditional retrospective, featuring spatial experiences demonstrating the interaction of light and color at varied scales. Some pieces stand alone, enabling detailed appreciation of their material properties, while others create room-sized environments dominated by color and light. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a key highlight, encapsulating the essence of both retro and futuristic design elements.
The massive ‘Column’ lava lamps, encircled by mirrors, create an infinite illusion of molten motion—evoking a nostalgic yet modern lava lamp universe. This exhibit appeals both to those who fondly remember the 1960s debut of the lava lamp and new audiences alike.
Launch of a Limited-Edition Astro Lamp
Beyond the exhibition, a limited edition bubblegum-pink ‘Astro’ lava lamp will debut in November, available to a global audience in a run of 1,000 units. “The lava lamp is a singular object of light, color, and translucency, embodying what I strive to achieve with resin and glass, but with added dynamics of time and movement,” Marcelis notes. This synthesis of light, color, movement, and reflection highlights her innovative spirit. The collaboration is a quintessential example of Sabine Marcelis design.
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Experience Sabine Marcelis’s visionary artistry at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, where her exploration of “Light and Color” will captivate visitors till April 2027 as they journey through her luminous creations.
The Mathmos x Sabine Marcelis limited edition will be available for purchase soon, inviting enthusiasts to own a piece of this exceptional art collaboration.
Source: wallpaper.com
Frequently asked questions
Who collaborated with Sabine Marcelis on the lava lamps?
Sabine Marcelis collaborated with Mathmos, the originator of the ‘Astro’ lava lamp, for the exhibition.
When is the exhibition at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich?
The exhibition is open from 30 October 2026 to 4 April 2027.
What is the height of the ‘Mathmos Lava Columns’?
The ‘Mathmos Lava Columns’ are 296cm tall.
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