Swirl Pendant Light | Blackjack Lighting

Swirl is the clearest expression of what Blackjack calls its luminous form approach: the light is not placed inside an object, it is the object. A series of broad, curved bands in Satin Nickel wrap around a central hub, each one twisting slightly as it turns, so together they describe a sphere in motion. The inner face of every band carries a strip of LED light, and when it is lit the sphere seems to spin in a slow spiral of brightness.

Because the light lives on the bands themselves, there is no shade, no bulb and no diffuser globe; the openings between the ribbons let you see straight through the form, and the satin metal on the outside stays calm while the inner edges glow. The design is patented (US Patent D730,562S) and has won three major design awards. Made in three sizes, it works as a single sculptural moment over a table or kitchen island at 16 inches, holds a living room at 23, and fills a stair hall or double-height space at 32.

Design notes

• Luminous form: LED light runs along the inside of each curved band, so the structure itself is the light source.
• A sphere in motion: twisting ribbons of metal wrap a central hub, open between the bands so the form stays airy.
• Recognized design: patented (US Patent D730,562S) and the winner of three major design awards.
• Quality of light: 3000K at 90 CRI, from 1,969 lumens (16 in) to 7,043 lumens (32 in).
• Single, refined finish: Satin Nickel, on an adjustable stem with a hang-straight swivel.

Specifications

Downloads

• Swirl 16 in specification sheet (PDF)
• Swirl 23 in specification sheet (PDF)
• Swirl 32 in specification sheet (PDF)
• Swirl 16 in instruction sheet (PDF)
• Swirl 23 in instruction sheet (PDF)
• Swirl 16 in LM-79 photometric report (PDF)
• Swirl 23 in LM-79 photometric report (PDF)
• Swirl 32 in LM-79 photometric report (PDF)

Stephen Blackman and Blackjack Lighting

Blackjack Lighting is the studio of industrial designer Stephen Blackman, its President and Chief Design Officer. Trained in industrial design at Syracuse University, Blackman began his lighting career in 1984 at Sonneman Design Group, then founded Blackman Design Associates in 1988, designing decorative and architectural lighting for manufacturers including Kichler. He launched Blackjack in 2013 in suburban Chicago, now based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, to build fixtures conceived for LED from the first sketch.

His argument is that the LED should change the shape of a light, not just its efficiency. Rather than hiding a new source inside old bulb-and-shade forms, Blackjack designs around the small, flat, cool-running LED: thin discs, slim rods, glowing rings and lenses that let the light itself become the object. In his own words, "Decorative lighting by its nature is not primarily about optimizing lamp efficiency, it is primarily about decoration!" Swirl is the maker's own showcase of that idea: a patented sphere whose ribbons of metal are themselves the light.

Questions

What makes Swirl distinctive?

The light is built into the structure. LED strips line the inside of each curved Satin Nickel band, so the twisting ribbons that form the sphere are also what glows, with no shade or bulb anywhere.

Is Swirl a recognized design?

Yes. Blackjack states that Swirl has won three major design awards, and the form is protected by US Patent D730,562S. It belongs to the Signature Series.

Which size should I choose?

The 16 in (15.5 in diameter) suits a kitchen island, small dining table or bedroom; the 23 in (22.8 in) anchors a living or dining room; the 32 in is scaled for stair halls, lobbies and high ceilings.

What is the light like, and can it be dimmed?

Warm 3000K light at 90 CRI, from 1,969 lumens on the 16 in to 7,043 lumens on the 32 in. All sizes run on 120-277VAC and dim with TRIAC, ELV or 0-10V controls.

What warranty does it carry?

Three years on the integrated LED and its power supply, and one year on materials and workmanship, for the original buyer in the US and Canada.