Designed by Richard Clarkson Studio, Cloud is an interactive lighting line with an integrated Bluetooth speaker, but it also is designed to mimic a thundercloud in both appearance and sound.
“One of a series of Speaker and Lighting systems inspired by the magic of clouds coupled with advances in technology, the Interactive Cloud is both an interactive ambient LED lamp and a speaker incorporating music-reactive and colorful RGB modes,” the firm says.
The Cloud lighting system uses motion sensors to detect a user's presence and create a unique lightning and thunder show dictated by their movement. The company says the product features a powerful speaker system from which the user can stream music via any Bluetooth compatible device, and the color-changing lights are able to adapt to the desired lighting color and brightness. The product also has alternative modes, such as a nightlight and a music reactive mode.
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Products in the Cloud light collection are made from a styrene shell and polyester fiber wrapped around a light fixture. Because of the nature of the fabrication process, no two lights are alike. Interactive Cloud is available in small, medium, and large sizes. Recently, the company has improved the collection with more durable materials, better sound responsiveness, and has added the capability to fabricate larger versions. The company is also able to add different customization options.
“This is really a story of simultaneous material and programming exploration,” the firm says. “After the basic aesthetic and function was established, it was a process of iterating to reach a point of durable commercialization.”
Richard Clarkson Studio designed and introduced the Cloud light years ago as a prototype, but the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based firm now offers the product as a stock or custom fixture and has unveiled several new options and updates to the line, including the Floating Cloud, Speaker Cloud, and Coud Mobile.
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Floating Cloud
The product uses sensors and a magnetic base to make a Cloud shade hover a few inches in the air above a reflective oval base while at the same time playing “thunder” sounds and displaying the appearance of “lightning.” Richard Clarkson Studio partnered with Crealev to use the company’s levitation technology.
Floating Cloud
Speaker Cloud
The Speaker Cloud (formerly Smart Cloud) is a lightning and thunder performance sculpture, as well as a music-activated visualizing speaker. It’s designed to mimic a thundercloud in appearance and allows owners to stream music via any Bluetooth compatible device and can adapt to any desired lighting and color.
Cloud Mobile
Inspired by Alexander Calder's mobile artworks this lamp, Cloud Mobile uses dynamic movement as a design material. “The Clouds that hang from the frame [are] the same style as our popular Cloud Shade product line and have the same durable 'fluff' that we have developed over the years,” the company says. “The frame is derived from our original Mobie Lamp and is available in three different finishes: brass, white and black. For those who love the Cloud Mobile but don't think Clouds would fit the style of your home and want something a little more mid-century-inspired, our original Mobile is a great option.”
Lead time for the Cloud lights is three weeks. Custom sizes take longer.
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Cloud Music Reactive Mode from Richard Clarkson on Vimeo.
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