The Ml15 Helios Limited-Edition Piece Weighs 9 Kilograms
Amy Duong — March 1, 2026 — Art & Design
References: frankbuchwald
The ML15 Helios is a limited-edition lamp created by Berlin-based artist Frank Buchwald in collaboration with MB&F’s M.A.D.Gallery to mark the gallery’s 15th anniversary. The object stands on three legs and has a stainless steel and brass construction that together weigh approximately 9 kilograms.
At its center is a 120 mm spherical globe bulb surrounded by a dimmable LED ring designed to replicate the effect of a solar corona. Two blue diffuser rings frame the central light source to modulate illumination. Every one of the 120 individual parts is handcrafted in Buchwald’s Berlin workshop and reworked manually before assembly to form the complete object. Helios’s head section rotates 90 degrees to allow directional adjustment of the light field. The electrical wiring runs through flexible stainless steel tubes that remain visible rather than concealed within the structure.
Only 15 numbered pieces of ML15 Helios have been made and are offered exclusively through M.A.D.Gallery locations in Geneva, Dubai, and the MB&F Labs network.
Image Credit: Frank Buchwald
At its center is a 120 mm spherical globe bulb surrounded by a dimmable LED ring designed to replicate the effect of a solar corona. Two blue diffuser rings frame the central light source to modulate illumination. Every one of the 120 individual parts is handcrafted in Buchwald’s Berlin workshop and reworked manually before assembly to form the complete object. Helios’s head section rotates 90 degrees to allow directional adjustment of the light field. The electrical wiring runs through flexible stainless steel tubes that remain visible rather than concealed within the structure.
Only 15 numbered pieces of ML15 Helios have been made and are offered exclusively through M.A.D.Gallery locations in Geneva, Dubai, and the MB&F Labs network.
Image Credit: Frank Buchwald
Trend Themes
1. Limited-edition Art-tech Lighting - Scarce, numbered lighting objects that blend artisanal craft with advanced LED effects create premium collectables and boutique resale ecosystems.
2. Handcrafted Industrial Aesthetics - Objects showing manual reworking and visible tool marks present opportunities for premiumization through provenance-driven storytelling and maker-focused certification.
3. Exposed Functional Components - Designs that intentionally reveal wiring, tubing, or mechanisms redefine notions of beauty and enable modular repairability and customization narratives.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Home Decor - High-net-worth consumers seeking unique statement pieces drive demand for limited-run lamps that combine sculptural form with technical lighting sophistication.
2. High-end Manufacturing - Craft-focused fabrication workshops that blend metalworking and precision electronics can capture value by offering bespoke, small-batch product lines.
3. Gallery Retail and Experiences - Curated gallery channels and experiential showrooms that position functional art as collectible items open pathways for experiential sales models and exclusive launches.
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