Let There Be Light
Autumn is here and with it we need to adapt to shorter days, which is challenging, with dark mornings and early nightfall. With the memory of summer, it is good to know, we can create warming environments by way we use light in our homes.
The main source of light on earth is the sun. Sunlight provides the energy green plants use to create sugars, mostly in the form of starches, which releases energy into plants, minerals, animals and humans digesting them. This process of photosynthesis provides virtually all the energy used by living things. Historically, another important source of light for humans has been fire, from ancient campfires to kerosene lamps. With the development of electric lights and power systems, electric lighting has replaced fire light.
The fact that light could be polarised was for the first time qualitatively explained by Newton, using the particle theory. Étienne-Louise Malus in 1810 created a mathematical particle theory of polarisation.
Jen-Baptiste Biot in 1812 demonstrated that this theory explained all known phenomena of light polarisation. At that time the polarisation was considered as proof of the particle theory. Then came the electromagnetic theory introduced in 1845 by Michael Farady, studying electromagnetic radiation and light.
Light is paramount for our wellbeing. Choosing good light and a variety of light sources for every time of the year and different occasions is something to keep in mind. It gives our home-space a personal note. Using a variety of light sources on different levels creates atmosphere and focal points in a room and with it making us feel welcome and relaxed. The quality of the light source matters likewise. Glass shades that are mouthblown are created from layered glass which diffuses the light softly while machine pressed glass lets the light trough in one line, being sharp and much less pleasing.
Light is still made by hand with many different components making up the fixture, a time-consuming production like this one by Bent Karlby. Good light requires often ingenuine engineering using high quality materials, so spending some money on a light fitting is a good thing to do. I often experience, people expect light should be cheap, maybe because we are spoiled with sunlight which is free for all….
Good light quality in our homes and workplaces makes all the difference in how we perceive a room and creates better wellbeing, so choosing light with care pays back as it supports a sense of calm and inner balance.
When I was looking at new lighting design, I was struck by their attempt to be as minimal as possible, which gives an anonymous connotation. While older designs, even though clear in design language have a stronger presence and therefore offer a viewpoint, adding a sentiment ‘a story’ to a room. This added value makes the item more intimate, like an old friend faithfully being with us day in and day out, such as he Artichoke by Poul Henningsen here from 1958.
Good lighting design should never be visually obtrusive in the space, instead be complementing, never interrupting. Simple well-made objects never go out of style so the money spent will support a product lasting for many years to come.
Here a charming new light, cordless and battery-powered, called ‘Lucca’, named after the same Tuscan city, mimicking the warmth of the city’s nocturnal light, very romantic. The lamp is offering an easy transition for inside/outside use and makes for a charming friend in any setting. Good light design often has a story as it came about as part of a concept or a specific need and it is the story, which is communicating additional value, enhancing the sentiment of our everyday.
There are so many innovative lamp solutions, multi-usable lamps such as Konstantin Grcic’s now classic ‘Mayday’ or the many cordless versions available of which the simple stylish ‘Oblique’ by Vincent Van Duysen takes first prize. This light is fresh on the market and deserves extra applause as it is a bit revolutionary, both cordless and charging the I-Phone… now who would not want that? It has a patented ultra-flat lens with a very high efficiency and rounded flat head for minimum visual intrusion. And the I-Phone? The base comes with an integrated wireless charging system which allows to charge the smartphone and no cables cluttering the desk, that alone is a revolution! A simple beauty with a lot to offer.
There is a never-ending array of great light available, from dazzling antique chandeliers to the modernist masters such as Alvar Aalto’s ‘Golden Bell’. Aino and Alvar Aalto where commissioned in 1936 to design the interior of the Savoy restaurant in Helsinki. The simple yet elegant ‘Golden Bell’ made from a single piece of brass was part of their restaurant interior. The light was also shown in the Finnish Pavilion of the World Expo in Paris 1937 so it is a bit famous and it is still going strong, enchanting a wide variety of spaces.
There are of course many more beauties that have set the standards for good lighting design such as Poul Henningsen’s ground breaking army of light fixtures starting from the early 1920’s. Henningsen, like so many masters had a mission, to help people to educate themselves and to do so, light was needed, not a common thing at the time when simple oil and kerosene lamps would be the only light-source for the many. So, he created a variety of light fixtures which have been in production ever since, first used all over Denmark then the world. Someone with a vision has a purpose and with it the result will be beneficial to all, so there is added value to an object beyond the visual design element. Poul Henningsen certainly has contributed to the importance of light and with it furthering and valuing the quality of it.
And for today, the year 2020 we have the award winning, almost etheric Noctambule light fittings by Konstantin Grcic, lending a magical light effect, truly in its own league of new light on the market.
Creating an atmosphere in a room with carefully selected light gives an added value and supports our inner sense of wellbeing, making us feel welcome, so let’s choose fabulous light. One very unusual fitting is the introduction light displayed at the top, named Heli, by Katriina Nuutinen a young Finnish designer playing with the form of light, bedazzling us with a different point of view of what light can look like. A great example of a unique piece worthy to treasured and be a future classic.
And if the choice of light needs any assistance, I am happy to help.