Sixty years ago, in 60, lighting design pioneer Poul Henningsen set a new standard for modern luminaires in three innovative forms: the PH Artichoke, the PH 1958 and the PH Snowball. This year, Louis Poulsen celebrates Henningsen's contributions to design history with a number of special editions, including the PH Artichoke in brass and the PH 5 and PH 5 Mini in copper.
Throughout 2018, PH Artichoke and PH 5 celebrate 60 years of transforming spaces through new lighting and sculptural forms. The Danish Museum of Decorative Arts exhibits the PH Snowball and PH 1958 from 5 to the present. However, it wasn't until 1983 that the PH snowball began to gain traction and went into production. Today, all three designs are emblematic of Louis Poulsen's collections, and the PH Snowball is still loved for its classic white color, as its name suggests.
"1958 was an amazing year for architectural design around the world and in Denmark in particular," says Rasmus Markholt, Director of Product and Design at Louis Poulsen. "There were a lot of changes going on beneath the surface. Arne Jacobsen, for example, created a range of design icons that are still in production today to decorate his masterpiece, the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. And Poul Henningsen has come up with three unprecedented pendant concepts. His way of thinking about applying design to lighting influenced Louis Poulsen and generations of lighting designers. We are honored to have the opportunity to showcase how his attractive, organic designs can continue to be applied in the modern world."
Today's interiors are increasingly focused on creating a warm, human-smelling atmosphere. The new Metal Edition offers just the right atmosphere and aesthetic look, while at the same time showcasing timeless elegance.
New Product: Brushed Brass PH Artichoke
Originally created in 1958 for Langelinie Pavillonen, a modernist Copenhagen restaurant still visited by many today, the legendary PH Artichoke pendant has since been used in public and private spaces around the world. The sculptural design has been refreshed to give it a new look, and its distinctive, natural form creates a bold yet assured atmosphere in both modern and classic interiors.
PH artichokes have been manufactured in metal editions since their inception, but this is the first time brushed brass has appeared as a regular product, which in the past could only be customized. The finish adds a new touch to a familiar form, making this classic piece look great in a variety of interiors. From the entrance to the living room, kitchen, master bedroom, and personal study, PH Artichoke adapts to a variety of environments and creates a bold and warm atmosphere.
"For over 60 years, PH artichokes have been manufactured in a myriad of colors and several metal editions. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate this organic and natural design by crafting it in brushed brass, the color of the earth," says Rasmus Markholt. "It's finished to create a warmth and tactile feel, so I think the PH Artichoke would be a great fit for creating a softer atmosphere in your personal space."
Hiding the light source inside a layer of 72 leaves, the PH Artichoke uses LED bulbs to prevent glare while providing soft light. The brass edition is available in all sizes.
The brushed brass PH Artichoke will be available from September 2018.
Available for 2018 only, this special edition will be signed PH Artichoke - 1958-2018 - Anniversary Edition and will be engraved with its unique signature. From 2019 onwards, PH artichokes will be produced without a commemorative signature.
NEW: Copper PH 5 & PH 5 Mini
Sixty years after its introduction, the PH 60 is still the best-selling design in the Louis Poulsen portfolio. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of this much-loved pendant, we're launching the Louis Poulsen PH 60 and PH 5 Mini in a commemorative edition paired with a copper shade and white tier.
The new metallic white combination emphasizes the design of Henningsen's shade system, and the mirror-like copper tiers that reflect the surroundings add a new dynamism to this famous design piece. This new aesthetic element offers new decorative possibilities in addition to the existing range of PH 5 colors and finishes.
In keeping with today's interior trends, the PH 5 and PH 5 mini copper-toned copper, blend seamlessly into any space and create a warm atmosphere. The design fits well with Poul Henningsen's primary goal of bringing warmth to spaces and people through lighting.
Even when the lights are off, the copper/white PH 5 and PH 5 Mini add elegance to intimate living spaces such as kitchens and dining rooms. When turned on, it provides anti-glare LED lighting, and the copper finish makes the light even brighter. As always, the design is beautiful, but it's also compact, so it's okay to use several.
The copper/white PH 5 and PH 5 Mini will be available from September 2018.
About Poul Henningsen
Master of Light - A genius designer, architect, author, and cultural critic who made a great impact through his bold attempts, Poul Henningsen left a huge footprint in many fields of Danish thought and design, and left a legacy that is still considered the most important in Louis Poulsen's lighting design.
Henningsen saw electric lighting for the first time in 1907, and he devoted much of his life to handling and taming this groundbreaking invention of the time. His lifelong collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1924. In 1926, Henningsen, in an effort to increase brightness while minimizing eye strain, developed an innovative three-shade system. The system created a soft, diffused light that was easy on the eyes and provided a more comfortable and welcoming environment in the work and living areas. Louis Poulsen's partnership with the designer has since led to the creation of classics such as the PH 3, the PH Artichoke and the PH Snowball.
Henningsen's pioneering work on the relationship between light structure, shadows, glare, and color reproduction, as well as his passion for finding a balance between light and darkness based on the idea that humans need both darkness and light, remain the foundation of Louis Poulsen's lighting philosophy.
About Louis Poulsen
Louis Poulsen, a Danish lighting manufacturer founded in 1874, creates products that incorporate the two elements of design and lighting. Every detail in design has a purpose. Every design begins and ends with light. Louis Poulsen offers a wide range of luminaires aimed at the commercial and home lighting markets, with lighting and solutions for both indoor and outdoor environments. In close partnership with renowned designers and architects such as Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Øivind Slaatto, Alfred Homann, Oki Sato and GamFratesi, Louis Poulsen has established itself as a key supplier of architectural and decorative lighting, with dedicated showrooms worldwide in Copenhagen, Singapore, Helsinki, Stockholm, Miami, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Düsseldorf.
August 2018 Press Release