ÉCAL graduate Marina Daguet has designed a cleaner, modern alternative to the traditional prayer candles found in churches.
The Celeste is an electric, votive light that features illuminated electric tubes in place of wax candles. These slot into openings in the table, forming a circle.
After pressing a button or inserting a coin, each tube gradually lights up. They then slowly decrease in brightness until they eventually go off, just like ordinary flames.
According to Daguet, the frosted plexiglass gives the light a soft glow, as well as a "ghostly" appearance.
Celeste offers a cleaner alternative to the traditional prayer candles found in churches
The French designer began designing the Celeste light stand after discovering that many churches were switching from traditional to electric candles due to the black smoke emitted by the burning flames, which mark the walls and ceilings. In addition to this, the wax is difficult to clean and the candles have to regularly be replaced, she explained.
Daguet wanted to offer a product that would solve this issue, while still retaining the symbolic meaning and ritual aspect of the votive candle.
It features electric tubes in place of wax candles
"For a few years now, places of worship have gradually started to abandon their candles, because the soot they release has damaged the walls, making paintings and stained glass windows disappear under a black veil," Daguet explained.
"I thought it was a real pity ...