Ingo Maurer ‘Ilo Ilu’ Kinetic Light Sculpture, 1986

Ingo Maurer ‘Ilo Ilu’ Kinetic Light Sculpture, 1986

The Ilo Ilu is a kinetic light sculpture designed by Ingo Maurer for Ingo Maurer GmbH in 1986. Positioned somewhere between functional lighting and sculpture, the piece reflects Maurer’s experimental approach to light, movement and playful construction.

The suspended composition is built around a system of geometric elements, including a long arrow, coloured details, a blue spherical counterweight and a small adjustable mirror. Light from the halogen source is reflected through the mirror, allowing the direction of the beam to be adjusted while making the mirror itself an integral part of the sculpture.

The deliberately exposed structure gives the lamp a light, almost floating appearance, with its various elements balancing around the central suspension. A distinctive example of Maurer’s postmodern work from the 1980s and a striking sculptural object even when not illuminated.