'Candela': a hypnotic installation illuminates the V&A

last updated 8 September 2022

The darkest room in the V&A keeps the lights low for the sake of the artwork, but three creatives found another use for the Tapestries Gallery. Product designer Felix de Pass, graphic designer Michael Montgomery and ceramicist Ian McIntire collaborated on a great ceramic wheel that rotates on a pedestal. As it revolves, each sliver of the wheel passes a light source that charges it with energy. The afterglow slowly fades as the light becomes memory, producing a mesmerising ebb and flow of light and pattern. 'Candela' - named for the unit of light once associated with household candles - was sponsored by Officine Panerai, the watch brand that uses similar phosphorescent effects on its dials.

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.