A Space Age icon reimagined in a trio of luminous pastels

GUBI presents Bill Curry’s Obello Portable Lamp in colors

American designer Bill Curry, celebrated for his bold use of color and inventive Space Age forms, first created the mushroom-shaped Obello Lamp in 1971.

After its reintroduction by GUBI in 2022, the design continues its journey in a trio of luminous pastels, each finished with a glossy finish that accentuates its sculptural silhouette. Balancing softness with warmth, this palette extends Curry’s legacy with a fresh, contemporary expression.

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Three colors, three moods of light

Obello’s sculptural mushroom silhouette becomes a canvas of light and chromatic expression. Mellow Yellow radiates cheer and optimism, filling interiors with warmth and ease. Powder Pink brings gentle intimacy, its rosy hue casting a tactile, romantic glow. Pearl White shimmers with subtle pearlescence, a luminous neutral that captures the timeless elegance of light itself. Together, the three tones form a harmonious palette of luminous pastels, enriching Obello’s sculptural form while amplifying its joyful presence.

A Space Age vision

With a background in aeronautics and experience as an ad man, art director, and graphic designer, at a time when the world was captivated by the Space Race and pop culture, Bill Curry was uniquely positioned to capture the zeitgeist of his era. When Curry sketched the Obello Lamp in 1971, he envisioned a joyful, futuristic form that captured the optimism of the Space Age and the playful spirit of 1970s Los Angeles. Half a century later, GUBI brought his ‘total look’ lamp, designed as a single, seamless glass form illuminated from within, into production for the first time as a portable design, honoring his vision while adapting it for contemporary living.

Crafted with care

Each Obello is formed from opal mouth-blown glass, a process that makes every lamp unique, and finished with a hand-applied, water-based lacquer that gives its surface a luminous gloss. Because the process is artisanal, subtle variations can appear, enhancing each lamp’s individuality. The lacquer is carefully bonded to the glass to ensure strength and durability. The glossy finish brings an elevated tactility, while the internal body remains white, so when the LED system lights the lamp evenly from stem to dome, it casts a soft, ambient glow that shifts through three brightness stages, each revealing a different light and color intensity. A dense array of LEDs ensures a rich, uniform light quality, while a high-capacity battery supports extended use between charges. The light system is replaceable, extending the lamp’s lifespan.

Designed for life indoors and out

Portable and versatile, Obello moves easily from room to room or out onto the terrace, balcony, or garden, with the stem doubling as a handle. At full intensity, the lamp provides up to 16 hours of light, while 50% brightness delivers 34 hours, and 20% brightness provides more than 58 hours. A high-capacity lithium battery charges fully in six hours, and the lamp can also be used while charging for added flexibility. The dimmer switch lets the glow build as the evening deepens, extending the night beyond dusk. While Obello should always be stored and charged indoors, it is splash-proof, meaning it can withstand the occasional rain shower and is resilient against sand and soil. Designed to move with you, it brings ambience to interiors and atmosphere to outdoor spaces alike.

A timeless vision, reimagined

Known for his inventive forms and use of color, Bill Curry created designs that radiated optimism. With this pastel palette, GUBI honors Curry’s chromatic legacy while introducing a more contemporary expression – one that brings warmth and softness to today’s homes and hospitality spaces. Playful yet timeless, Obello remains a glowing Space Age icon, designed without limits.

Images and content courtesy of GUBI

Materials
Opal mouth-blown glass with glossy water-based lacquer finish, powder-coated steel and ABS plastic base, integrated dimmable LED system, high-capacity lithium battery

Colorways
Mellow Yellow, Powder Pink, and Pearl White.

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