Rare postmodern floor lamp "Super Guppy" designed by Marc Newson and made by Idée - 1987 - Japan
185 cm height, 88 cm width, 88 cm depth made of Aluminium parts.
Marc Newson was in Japan collaborating with Idée when he created the Super Guppy, his first lamp creation. As his time there was coming to a close, it meant the project needed to be finished swiftly, so the fortunate idea to utilize the common Tokyo streetlight head through simple appropriation aligned perfectly with both his deadline and his enduring appreciation for the readymade from his art school days—he describes this as his "Marcel Duchamp readymade moment." The light head was merely attached to a welded metal tubular neck and base, which was equipped with casters, allowing the device to roll around. Idée funded the project, providing him access to their small workshop where he oversaw the production of the initial batch of lamps.
What is both distinctive and graceful about the Super Guppy Lamp (named after the Super Guppy airplane and also inspired by how the street lamp reminded Newson of a guppy fish) is that it brings an everyday Japanese object—usually only observed outdoors and from a distance—indoors and within close proximity, effectively recontextualizing it. The sleek simplicity of the base imparts a unique Newson flair without overshadowing the ready-made quality of the piece.