2024 marks a momentous milestone for Louis Poulsen as the esteemed luxury lighting brand celebrates its 150th anniversary. What started out as a small family business in Copenhagen, Denmark has now blossomed into the iconic First House of Light lauded for offering timeless and innovative lighting design around the globe.
To honor this extraordinary occasion, Louis Poulsen has curated an exhibition that reflects its rich past and visionary future. Dubbed The He(art) of Light, the event drew inspiration from contemporary museums, offering an immersive experience that captivated not only local architects and interior designers, but also members of the press, and dignitaries from the Danish Embassy in the Philippines. The event was also attended by personalities and celebrities who are also big fans of the brand such as Mond Gutierrez, Kylie Versoza, Tim Yap, Nix Alanon, Vania Romoff, Christi McGarry, Maxine Esteban, Janeena Chan, Kris Bernal, and Phoemela Barranda.
The celebration unveiled the special 150th-anniversary editions of iconic designs, including the AJ Mini lamp, PH5, and PH Artichoke. The anniversary edition captures the essence of its decades of excellence and impresses with its unique color combination: the outside of the shades is painted in a minimalist matte white, while the inside radiates in a pale pink. They are underlined by metallised brass that will retain its shine over the years. The PH Artichoke is only available in 300 pieces, each bearing an individual number.
“Tonight is a celebration of 150 years of Louis Poulsen and a reflection on the milestones we’ve achieved together in the two years since Focus Global introduced Louis Poulsen to the Philippines.” Lolita Sy, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Focus Global said during the event.
At the heart of the museum was a circular pavilion where Louis Poulsen’s most iconic creation, the PH Artichoke lamp, took center stage. Originally designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958 for Copenhagen’s Langelinie Pavilion, this masterpiece is composed of 72 hand-placed metal leaves. Each leaf is carefully positioned to ensure flawless illumination from every angle. Over time, the PH Artichoke has become synonymous with modern elegance and harmonious ambiance, a testament to both Henningsen’s vision and the skilled craftsmanship behind its creation.
“Celebrating 150 years is a testament to the enduring relevance of Louis Poulsen’s design philosophy. Tonight is a reflection of our journey, our heritage, and the lasting impact we’ve made across the world, including here in the Philippines,” says Ethel Tan, Louis Poulsen Brand and PR Manager for APAC.
The event featured a beautifully curated display of Louis Poulsen lamps, archival treasures, and vintage advertisements. It also featured stories of notable designers presented in LG TVs. Louis Poulsen also collaborated with Filipino photographer Colin Dancel to capture and delve into the essence of light. Her work explored the interplay between light and movement, capturing the essence of emotion and form.
Each photograph in the exhibit allows the guests to experience light not just as a source of illumination, but as a living, breathing entity – one that evolves, moves, and shapes our perceptions.
“The Philippines has a rich and vibrant artistic community, and at Focus Global, we are proud to be part of this dynamic landscape. By working with a talent like Colin, we not only celebrate the global impact of Louis Poulsen but also highlight the incredible creativity and vision that exists here in the Philippines,” says Louis Poulsen Brand Manager Luth Cardano.
The He(art) of Light exhibit is open to the public until September 15, 2024 at the 29th Floor of the Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building.
Louis Poulsen’s journey of innovation is deeply rooted in history, tracing back to 1874 when Ludvig R. Poulsen founded the company. Over the decades, Louis Poulsen has collaborated with some of the world’s most distinguished designers and architects, creating masterpieces that have become icons of form and function.
A highly influential Danish designer, architect, writer, and cultural critic, Poul Henningsen, has had a huge impact on Danish thinking and design. His legacy as the original master of light is an integrated part of Louis Poulsen’s heritage of creating exceptional light.
The legacy of innovation at Louis Poulsen doesn’t just stop with Henningsen. After World War II, the brand branched out to collaborate with independent designers to create more prominent designs.
One of the most notable collaborations is of Arne Jacobsen to create the famous AJ lamps in line with his distinctive minimalist style. The AJ lamps feature a tiltable shade that provides downward light, making them ideal for reading and spot lighting. Although it was originally only designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the AJ series now covers everything from floor lamps to table lamps.
Another significant collaboration began in 1959 with Verner Panton, a designer known for his playful approach to light, space, and materials. Panton’s Panthella series, introduced in 1971, has become a beloved staple for lighting enthusiasts. With its diffused, ambient glow and soft, organic form, the Panthella’s rounded shade and base act as reflectors, exemplifying Panton’s commitment to creating ultra-functional yet visually captivating designs.
Just recently, Louis Poulsen debuted a collection in collaboration with FENDI Casa. Bringing together elements of both iconic design houses, some classic Louis Poulsen lighting designs have been designed with subtle yet luxurious touches of FENDI Casa design. Adorned with the recognisable pequin stripes on the socket house, and beautiful yellow glass shades, the three-shade lamps are an exquisite take on the classic Poul Henningsen design.
To know more about Louis Poulsen products, you may check their Instagram page, @lightsbyfgi or visit their showroom at the 10th Floor of Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building along 24th Street corner 7th Avenue, McKinley Parkway in Bonifacio Global City. Focus Global, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Louis Poulsen here in the Philippines.
