mima – wall light
product by davide groppi

Entered in 21st Compasso d’Oro 2008

Mima wall light is an object that literally disappears into the walls because beyond being a wire, it is painted with the same mural as the walls. When it is off you only see a fleeting trace of it. These lighting units are the epitome of Delrosso’s attention to architectural detail and to function in context. The Mima wall light was created in 2005 during a project for interiors, and subsequently entered the davide groppi production catalogue. This design marked the beginning of an enduring collaboration between the designer and the Piacenza-based entrepreneur, for whom Delrosso created various light designs prompted by a more encompassing concept whereby, as Delrosso states, “the home is everything, and when devising interiors I instinctively go beyond the walls to design the furniture that contributes to the overall cohesion and helps organise and perceive the space and routes through space.” Artificial light is matter like any other, just as daylight is a material element of architectural design. The name Mima comes from its performance characteristics: it is embedded flush with the wall and can even be painted over, mimicking the surface like camouflage. The device gives out a neat glow and is invisible unless it is actually switched on. As soon as it appeared on the market in 2006, it was included in the ADI Design Index (an annual catalogue of products published by the Industrial Design Association), and two years later it was commended for the Compasso d’Oro ADI award, and entered the Prize’s permanent collection.

dimensions: 9.5 cm x 10.5 cm