This lighting object is composed of a custom LED light source that is plugged into a resin shell which receives wooden sticks that radiate outwards from the center of the shell.
Horeb’s Ember explores the interplay of mass, void, and illumination, drawing inspiration from the Japanese phenomenon of komorebi, dappled sunlight filtering through a canopy to cast dancing shadows. At its core, this project reimagines light as a radiant, physical material.
A light is buried deep within a dense thicket. As the light pushes outward, it behaves like water forced through coarse grounds, aggressively finding its way through the tight crevices of the brush. The physical structure acts as the void—an active absence of light—while the penetrating rays cut through to define the surrounding space. Ultimately, this sustained ember scatters a living, warm glow across the environment.
A project by
Josh Cruz
Josh Cruz is a designer, educator, and artist. Born and raised in Brooklyn, his practice is shaped by a commitment to working with local communities and developing projects grounded in place, history, and lived experience. He is currently pursuing a Master of Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, where he explores material cultures and cultural practices to better understand how meaningful objects and experiences take form. His work is guided by values of inclusivity, cultural identity, and empathy, which he sees as essential to shaping thoughtful and responsible design.