This featured upcycle design lamp is certainly the most eerie, scary and intriguing design I’ve seen. It’s not only because of the main object being a gas mask, but it’s the orange lit spectacles bringing it all to life. The gas mask with the light reminds me of a figure out of a computer game. The table lamp is called ‘GAZGAZ‘ and is made by Sébastien Levadoux | Ateliers Crea. The design is made as a souvenir of his time in the army.

I’ve been in the army myself, a mandatory service of 18 months. And in that time you had several exercises using and testing your gas mask. From the first time I had to use it I hated that thing. I remember the first time we had to go into a gas chamber filled with gas and smoke. I didn’t want to, but you had to. And once in that chamber filled with smoke and gas I couldn’t get my mask on, it didn’t seal of completely. So I inhaled some gas and then I wasn’t able to breath properly and panic started to kick in. I’ll never forget that day. I’m not at all claustrophobic, but in that room not being able to breath, I was. After a few seconds of panic a sergeant grabbed me and things got back to how they were supposed to be and I had my mask on breathing regularly.

Gas mask table lamp with a great impact

Well that’s a personal experience I wanted to share so you could understand what a gas mask does to me whenever I see one. And when I saw the GAZGAZ lamp I was immediately back in time in that chamber. Then again seeing that orange light shining in the gas mask makes it very intriguing. And that’s why, even though I don’t like the look of these masks, I like this design. I guess for me it’s a sort of love / hate affair. In the end I do like the design for the fact that it uses unusual objects with a story  that combined has a great impact.

Photos © Ateliers Crea

Sébastien Levadoux is interested in furniture and Second Life objects with the main objective to revamp, repair, renovate, away from the original purpose. “We are overwhelmed by everyday objects: why would one produce new when you can recycle what already exists. I would like to show that there may be different ways to consume with a logic of eco-design between ideology, economy, art and creation.”
He creates based on the objects he finds. Each object is unique and bears the marks of its time. The creations are made in the workshop of Sébastien, in Clermont-Ferrand in the heart of the Auvergne, France.

Design by Sébastien Levadoux | Ateliers Crea