Sixty years ago, in 1958, lighting design pioneer Poul Henningsen redefined modern lighting with three disruptive designs: the PH Artichoke, the PH 5 and the PH Snowball. This year, Louis Poulsen is celebrating Henningsen's contribution to the design history with several special editions, including the brass version of the PH Artichoke and the copper versions of the PH 5 and PH 5 Mini.
Throughout 2018, PH Artichoke and PH 5 will celebrate six decades of spatial transformation with thoughtful lighting and sculpture. The PH Snowball has also been on display since 1958, when it was exhibited at the Danish Museum of Decorative Arts along with the PH 5. However, it wasn't until 1983 that the PH Snowball gained the attention of its peers and went into production. Today, all three designs are iconic in the Louis Poulsen collection, and the PH Snowball continues to be active in multiple markets in its classic white, keeping its name intact.
"1958 was an incredible year for architecture around the world, and certainly in Denmark as well." Rasmus Marcholt, Director of Product & Design at Louis Poulsen, says, "There was a lot of talent at the time: Arne Jacobsen, for example, created a series of iconic products for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen that are still in production today. Poul Henningsen illuminates the world with three never-before-seen chandelier concepts. The idea of "shaping light by design" has left a profound impact on generations of lighting designers, not to mention his connection with Louis Poulsen. Therefore, we are honored to take this opportunity to demonstrate the importance of the organic forms they design in the modern world. ”
In today's interiors, which are increasingly focused on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, the new metal models keep up with this trend, delivering visual appeal while expressing a timeless elegance.
New: PH Artichoke in brushed brass
In 1958, Poul Henningsen designed PH Artichoke for a modernist restaurant in Copenhagen. To this day, the lamp continues to captivate countless guests and has become a household name in the field of lighting in public and private spaces around the world. The sculptural design takes on a new expressive take on each new lacquer surface, while boldly and reliably adding a sense of atmosphere to both modern and classic interiors with its unique natural style.
PH Artichoke has been made of metal since its inception, but this time we will be mass-producing the previously custom-made brushed brass version for the first time. The lacquer finish brings a fresh feel to familiar shapes and incorporates the classics into more interior styles. From the entryway to the living and dining rooms, from the master bedroom to the private workspace, PH Artichoke is able to create bold and inviting effects while adapting to a variety of environments.
"Over the past 60 years, we have produced PH Artichoke in countless shades and in a variety of metals, and we are particularly pleased to be able to pay homage to this organic form of nature-derived with an earthy brushed brass version." According to Rasmus Marchot, "We think that PH Artichoke's warm and textured lacquer is a good way to convey the ambience of a private space, and the luminaires can show their soft side. ”
PH Artichoke's light source is hidden within a 72-layer leaf shade that provides soft, glare-free illumination through LED bulbs. The brass version will cover all sizes.
The PH Artichoke in brushed brass will be available in September 2018
The special edition, which is only available in 2018, will be engraved with PH's signature - PH Artichoke - 1958-2018 - Anniversary Edition, as well as a unique number. Starting in 2019, the delivered PH Artichoke will no longer engrave anniversary text.
New: PH 5 and PH 5 Mini in copper
Sixty years after its debut, the PH 5 remains the best-selling design in Louis Poulsen's portfolio. To commemorate this much-loved chandelier, Louis Poulsen has unveiled the PH 5 and its smaller version, the PH 5 Mini, with a copper-coloured shade and a white layer.
It accentuates Henningsen's lampshade system design with a new combination of metal and white, and adds a new lease of life to one of his most recognizable looks, with a mirror-like copper layer reflecting off its surroundings. This new aesthetic also unlocks new decorative potential, opening up even more possibilities based on the various colors and lacquer finishes of the PH 5.
The copper-toned PH 5 and PH 5 Mini set the trend in today's interiors with natural tones that blend naturally into spaces that require a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This expression is in line with Poul Henningsen's main goal of shaping light through design and bringing warmth to spaces and people.
The copper and white PH 5 and PH 5 Mini bring sculptural elegance to intimate living spaces, kitchens and dining areas when off. When lit, they provide gentle, glare-free LED illumination, and the copper paint finish releases extra light. As always, the design impresses everyone with its charm, and its compact size allows it to be used in multiple lamps at the same time.
The copper and white PH 5 and PH 5 Mini will be available from September 2018.
About Poul Henningsen
Master of Light - Bold and renowned designer, architect, writer and cultural critic Poul Henningsen has left his mark on many areas of Danish thought and design, and has preserved a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and remains an integral part of Louis Poulsen's light and shadow work today.
Henningsen first met the electric light in 1907 and since then he has spent his life mastering and perfecting the luminaires that were just emerging at the time. His collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1924 and lasted until his death. In 1926, in order to reduce glare and improve lighting quality, Henningsen developed a revolutionary three-stage gradient system that achieved pleasantly soft diffused lighting that created more comfortable and welcoming spaces for people to work and live. The designer teamed up with Louis Poulsen to create iconic luminaires such as the PH 5, PH Artichoke and PH Snowball, each of which has taken the world by storm.
Henningsen's pioneering work on the relationship between light structure, shadows, glare, and color reproduction, as well as his quest based on the human need for darkness and light, remain the foundation of Louis Poulsen's philosophy of lighting.
About Louis Poulsen
Founded in 1874, Danish luminaire manufacturer Louis Poulsen has a product philosophy that is both design and light. Every detail in the design has a specific purpose. The focus on light permeates every design. Louis Poulsen offers a range of lighting products for the commercial and residential lighting markets, offering luminaires and solutions for indoor and outdoor applications. Working closely with designers and architects such as Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Øivind Slaatto, Alfred Homann, Oki Sato and GamFratesi, Louis Poulsen has become one of the world's leading suppliers of architectural and decorative lighting, with a presence in Copenhagen, Singapore, Helsinki, Dedicated showrooms are available in Stockholm, Miami, Oslo, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Düsseldorf.
Press release, August 2018