Bomma illuminates Euroluce 2023 with lighting designs inspired by the sea

Diverse colours, bold designs and a distinct atmosphere formed the concept behind Bomma's Euroluce 2023. Bomma unveiled four completely new collections at Euroluce 2023, in addition to a brand-new stand idea, designed by the Italian studio Salaris founded by Alessandra Salaris. The booth at Euroluce was separated into various locations to demonstrate Bomma lighting's versatility and possibilities. The centrepiece of the show was a large-scale installation made up of 300 pieces of crystal that with their sheer monumentality, impress and inspire fantasy. On the other hand, the smaller rooms that were surrounding it displayed lighting designs in realistic yet unique interiors.

The various sets of rooms work together with the lights and furniture to provide the appearance of a stage set by using bright colours and dramatic lighting. The idea was created by Studio Salaris to give Bomma visitors a chance to sample the variety of options their lighting offers. “From the outside, the stand’s architecture is simple and geometric, almost minimal, while inside, enticing areas were organised to be discovered as each visitor wonders around. The stand was developed as a combination of points of view and glimpses that always frame the products,” shares Studio Salaris. STIR caught up with Václav Mlynář, Creative Director, Bomma at the exhibit and discussed the collaborations and the creative process behind the collections displayed at Bomma's immersive exhibition space.

The main inspiration behind the stand concept was Bomma's identity—bold colours and signature modern designs. "Lights in comparison with furniture, with fabrics, with the colours, there's so much more you can imagine and that's what we are trying to achieve. We collaborated with Studio Salaris and I think we are happy so far," shares Mlynář. The 250 sqm booth features furnishings and materials from partners including Ligne Roset, Vitra, De Castelli, Kutnia, and more. Rich curtains were installed in place of the majority of the internal walls to increase immersion while providing a surface and intriguing backdrop for light to take centre stage. "The product’s shades and materials influenced the colour palettes, and their versatility and combination dictated the architectural choices," says Studio Salaris.

Bomma introduced four new crystal lighting collections Ama, Buoy, Divina and Mussels. The brand also showcased a special De Castelli X Pyrite product edition: Pyrite lighting created in collaboration with the Italian manufacturer De Castelli.

Ama - Pearls from the depth of the mysterious sea

"The collection's name (Ama) is inspired by Japanese female divers who hunt or harvest the pearls from the sea. It is inspired by the shells and also features a custom-made bulb inside which resembles a pearl inside a shell," explains Mlynář. The Ama Collection visually resembles the fragile mussel shells that give rise to priceless pearls. Ama is made up of a stylised cut-crystal shell that encases a circular lightbulb with LED chips concealed inside it. The titanium nitride coating gives the lightbulb its pearly gloss. A unique glassmaking process is used to create each glass shell. The glass is heated over the course of two days, melting under its own weight into a ready-made conical mould. Ama lighting is available in both open and closed versions that look stunning when used alone or in organic clusters like mussels.

Buoy - A private harbour through day and night

Buoys indicate safe areas and harbours, providing a reliable compass for successful travels. The meaning and shape of buoys served as inspiration for Mlynář as he created lights that resemble a private harbour in your home. The Buoy Collection strives to strike a balance between sculpture and product design. This intriguing new addition combines traditional geometric forms, a novel light source, and enormous hand-blown crystal components. The style is a homage to the geometric forms found in the first Bomma collections.

Divina - The light touch of the divine, transformed into distinct colours

The Divina Collection is a reinterpretation of DECHEM studio's earlier use of the classic idea of a spherical glass body with the delicate touch of a colour gradient. The Divina lights are smaller and better suited for tiny spaces than The Phenomena collection. Divina has a light source at the bottom of its cylindrical mounting body, making it perfect for use above a desk or dining table. It is aesthetically fascinating while also exuding a timeless dream-like quality owing to its subtle colour variations.

Mussels - Perfect shells reflect crystal-clear water surfaces

In its new Mussels Collection, created by Mlynár, Bomma lends elegance, variety, and an organic style. Imagine glistening waters that are home to intricate, intriguing mussels. A light source is encircled by two crystal shells and mounted precisely in either glossy anthracite or brushed gold tones. The glass shell is enhanced by a rippling, patterned impression. When illuminated, the area gives off the appearance of deep water reflecting light. It is evident at first glance that its inspiration comes from organic shapes, natural colours, and the surrounding environment.

De Castelli X Pyrite - Special edition of the fiery stone

Pyrite, the perfect cube-shaped golden firestone, is now available from the Italian company De Castelli in a DeOpale brass finish. Both brands excel at producing items by hand while upholding the highest standards of quality. Bomma and De Castelli released Pyrite in a limited edition together. This hand-blown crystal cube has a DeOpale brass element covering its surface on three sides. Due to the manual oxidation of brass, this exquisite brass fitting acquires unique chromatic effects, such as the light games of the fire opal, which have a yellow background with reflections that can be especially vivid and bright and change in iridescent tones from red to orange.

Bomma is mindful of the efficiency and effective utilisation of resources when creating new products for collections. The components of the exhibit will be used for subsequent fairs, and the items will either be displayed in Bomma's Atelier in Prague or in dealer showrooms, giving the Euroluce display a new lease of life. Bomma places high importance on the environment and adopts a sustainable business model, which it will continue to emphasise and develop going forward. In the sea of designers and products that we are surrounded by, what separates Bomma and its meticulous curation and products from the rest? "We have a big advantage that we are actually glassworks. We have our own factory where we produce our own glass with our own technology. So we see this as a huge potential. So we are always looking for lights, where we can use our glass as a main component. So we always consider architects our main clients because they are the ones who create beautiful spaces, and they often use our lights as a centrepiece in the interiors. So when I brief the designers I tell them we are looking for some beautiful centrepieces, that balance on the edge of a product design and a sculpture. But I am always looking for uniqueness," says Mlynář.

STIR’s coverage of Milan Design Week 2023 showcases the best exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands, and special projects to look out for. Explore Euroluce 2023 and all the design districts—5Vie Art and Design, Brera Design District, Fuorisalone, Isola Design District, Tortona District, and Milano Design District—with us.

Text by Ria Jha