When you first lay eyes on the Dif Lamp, you might think it’s a piece of modern art or perhaps a prop from a science fiction movie. But the story behind this unique floor lamp is as fascinating as its design. Created by Bangkok-based designer Taras Yoom, originally named Taras Zheltyshev, the lamp is a blend of his medical background and artistic vision.
Yoom didn’t start as a designer; he was trained as a medical professional. Early in his career, he found himself working part-time in both a laboratory and an architectural firm. This dual experience led him to a unique intersection of art and science. The Dif Lamp, with its purple tubes and light pink orbs, is inspired by the human vascular system. The tubes represent veins, and the orbs symbolize blood cells. But it’s not just about aesthetics; Yoom aims to blur the lines between what we see and the hidden processes that sustain life.
But wait, there’s more. The Dif Lamp is part of a larger narrative in Yoom’s Yoomoota art universe. In this parallel world, complete with its own planets and inhabitants, the lamp takes on a mythical role. According to Yoom, the lamp is made from special cells sent to Earth by a hero named Thymus. These cells are meant to protect the planet from infectious agents. On Orginion, another planet in the Yoomoota universe, similar lamps serve as protective charms activated during dark nights when infections threaten the cities. Also be sure to check 25 Industrial Table Lamps.
The Dif Lamp is a true guardian. It provides physical protection and serves as a guide, illuminating the darkness and helping us confront our irrational fears.