aton lighting

Aton has been making the rounds on sites such as Core77 and Notcot, with good reason: their lighting is an innovative fusion of negative space, organic design, and functionality. Above: photographs from the Candela Light Art Show at the CUBE Gallery in Ottawa, where Aton won The People’s Choice Award in September 2006.

The primary material used in Aton’s lighting is white earthenware clay, which is left unglazed. Intricate patterns resembling branches and cellular structures help to create amazing interactions between the the clay and the light sources within. Above: the Table model stands between 19″ and 10″ in height (Tall and Short models), while the much taller Floor model is over 4 feet tall and sits on aluminum feet for added stability.

A two man team, Aton’s Muhammad Moussa and Rick Shean each have their own roles. Rick designs the sturdy maple wood bases, while Muhammad pushes the clay to its structural limits. Above: don’t let Horizontal’s 15′ length fool you – at nearly 8 feet in height, this is a fairly tall piece as well. Triple light sources help to disperse light through its cavernous interior, making for spectacular shadows along the ceiling and adjacent walls.

The Mini and Candle are relatively modest lamps for those of us who prefer something more manageable for our end tables and nightstands. Mini uses a 10-watt low voltage light source and is exactly 1 foot in height, and features a contemporary style with squared edges and a sleek maple base. Candle is definitely the more effeminate and free flowing of the two, with a cylindrical design, rounded, loopy cutouts and a freer-flowing top edge. The Candle also usurps the traditional wood base for a clay one, and is “powered” by 3 candle tea lights for more romantic lighting effects.
aton.ca