Théros is an ongoing creative project that draws inspiration from Mediterranean summers and warm childhood memories to create new lighting objects.
Initiated by Studio Aristotelis Barakos, the project is based on a methodology of collaboration and the vision to reveal the potential of small local workshops and designers. The lighting objects that are part of Théros are produced by the studio locally in small runs and editions.
“Warm air filling your lungs. Dry grass whispering in the wind. A white light ricocheting on everything, making you blink. This is the definition of theros, the Greek word for summer.”
While growing up in Munich, Germany, designer Aristotelis Barakos used to visit Greece, his paternal homeland, with his family for the holidays.
Some very specific sensations are associated with these trips, like the strong gush of hot air as he exited the airplane, the dry grass lining the country roads and the blinding Mediterranean light that made him squint for days.
The Théros project seeks to evoke these sensations through objects and experiences.
The Théros collection of lighting objects consists of a series of tabletop lamps, each a poetic design gesture that combines a clean-cut, balanced form with a personal, heartfelt story. The lamps' adorable figures evoke in all their simplicity the image of a person in the sun, narrating a timeless story of peaceful holidays basking in soothing, milky sunlight. Part of the lamps' attractiveness is their strong personality, which is elegant and understated yet at the same time playful, lovable and cheerful.
Each lamp's body is made of marble, its head an opaque glass sphere and the lampshade a handmade straw hat. The hat whimsically rests on the glass sphere and can move freely to any direction, creating different lighting conditions. The tilt and position of the hat changes the mood of the lamp completely. The marble bases and straw lampshades are made locally in collaboration with small workshops, focusing on Greek craftsmanship and strengthening the objects' sense of origin.
All Théros lighting objects feature a palette of materials that celebrate their Mediterranean character. The white marble bases are made of Volakas marble from Drama, Greece, with its characteristic grey veins. Because of the natural patterns in the marble, every lamp is unique. The head of each lamp is an opaque glass sphere that contains an LED bulb emanating a smooth, warm light. The straw hat lampshades are made by hand in Athens, Greece, and can move to any direction to provide different lighting effects. A brass disc seals the base of each lamp and bears the designer's logo.
This is the first edition of the lamp, released in 2020 in a limited amount. As with every lighting object in Théros, it features a palette of materials that celebrate its Mediterranean character.
This version is the smallest member of the family and was created in 2022. It is characterised by its cute personality and the way the opaque glass head is balanced on its spherical body.
A taller character also became part of the family in 2022. Its narrow body creates an interesting contrast with its glass head and straw hat.
The most extravagant member of the family, also created in 2022. Its oval body and fashionably oversized hat make it stand out. As with every lighting object in Théros, it features a palette of materials that celebrate its Mediterranean character.
Based on the concept of the Théros family of lighting objects, ceramicist Giannis Zois was commissioned to reinterpret the lighting objects using materials and techniques of his own craft.
The deep red colour of the ceramic bases is a reference to terracotta, a material that is widespread around the Mediterranean, and therefore was a natural addition to the project. Made of stoneware clay, the bases have vertical grooves that create a contrast with their partially glassified surface.
The Théros Ceramic Edition includes three sizes, in a limited edition of 12 each: Small (12x24cm / hat Ø 22cm), Medium (12x36cm / hat Ø 27cm) and Large (40x14cm / hat Ø 32cm).
Credits
Photography: Giorgos Vitsaropoulos