Like something out of an alchemist's dream, KIHOU is a bowl of bubbling liquid gold. Created by tangent, a design studio based in London and Toyko, KIHOU is an indirect lighting system using two kinds of liquid and air bubbles.

To create the illusion of oozing, golden light, a ceramic cube is filled with a transparent viscous liquid and a thin layer of black silicone oil is floated on top. LED-lights illuminate the transparent liquid and a small fan pumps air through the bottom of the vessel, forcing the liquid  through the black silicone layer and resulting in “golden” bubble popping up on the surface. KIHOU can be applied to a larger size vessel, the result looking akin to a witches’ cauldron with dozens of bright orbs breaking through the blackness.

Engaging all senses with rhythmic pulsations, a dynamic contrast of light and dark, and unexpected crackling and popping sounds, KIHOU is mesmerizing. According to tangent founders Hideki Yoshimoto and Yoshinaka, “these elements breath life into this small cube and sublimate it into a produce that people could feel affinity and sympathise with.”