Louis Poulsen presents the OE Quasi Light, a new chandelier designed by Olafur Eliasson

 

World-renowned Danish lighting brand Louis Poulsen revealed details of their new large-scale chandelier developed in collaboration with Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson at Milan Design Week. Inspired by mathematical formal relationships, OE Quasi Light uses geometric knowledge to shape light and reinforces Louis Poulsen and Eliasson's shared idea: good light makes a good life.

The luminaire consists of two contrasting geometric shapes nested in each other. The outer layer is a rigid aluminum frame in the form of icosahedron (a shape with 20 faces and 12 vertices), while the inner layer is dodecahedron (a shape with 12 faces and 20 vertices), and the light source seems to float inside, reflecting the light to form a spherical distribution.

Bright LED lights are embedded in the apex of the aluminum icosahedron and direct light to the heart of the lamp: an embedded pentagonal white sheet made of polycarbonate. Depending on where the observer is located, they perceive the complex geometry of the light differently, resulting in endless interpretations and perspectives.

"I'm excited to bring my long-standing interest in geometry and light to my collaboration with Louis Poulsen to co-create OE Quasi Light. What sets it apart from many other luminaires is that it shines into the core, from which light is reflected back to the surrounding environment. In this form, the luminaire perfectly combines precise design with high-quality ambient lighting. Artist Olafur Eliasson said.

Interested in polyhedra, spheres and curves, Eliasson has been conducting geometric research with the studio team for many years, stemming from his desire to create alternative ways of mainstream orthogonal thinking in modern architecture, art and design in search of forms that will help surprise our senses. This concern for the emotional and physical impact of the surrounding environment is at the heart of the luminaire that Eliasson conceived for Louis Poulsen. Louis Poulsen has always been committed to creating harmonious light for the surrounding environment and making a positive impact on people. Together with Eliasson, they created a product that shows how good light can make a good life.

An integral element of OE Quasi Light is sustainability, where 100% of the aluminium used is recyclable and the rest of the materials are all recycled and reusable. The OE Quasi Light can be disassembled to replace and recycle parts, so we took its longevity into account during the design process.

"More than two years ago, we asked Olafur Eliasson to design a new product for Louis Poulsen, and the response to it was overwhelming. OE Quasi Light is an inspiring product. "It's a purposeful piece of design, and it's inspiring to look at it." Søren Mygind Eskildsen, CEO of Louis Poulsen, said: "Louis Poulsen has been designing lighting for more than 145 years, but we have always faced the same challenge: how to create a luminaire that goes beyond lighting. Good light is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, but most importantly, it interacts with and shapes the environment. I am confident that Eliasson's OE Quasi Light will be part of Louis Poulsen's heritage and history, becoming our iconic product that creates good light for all." ”

 

About Louis Poulsen

Danish luminaire manufacturer Louis Poulsen was founded in 1874 with a product philosophy that values design and light. Every detail in the design has a specific purpose. The concept of focusing on light permeates every design. Louis Poulsen offers a range of lighting products for the commercial and domestic lighting markets, offering luminaires and solutions for indoor and outdoor applications. By 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 global presence around the world, in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Singapore and Miami, Oslo, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Düsseldorf have dedicated showrooms.

 

About Olafur Eliasson

Artist Olafur Eliasson (Iceland/Denmark) was born in 1967 and works in a variety of media, including installation, painting, sculpture, photography and film. Since 1997, he has had solo exhibitions in prestigious museums around the world. He is also personally involved in arts education, policy development, and sustainability and climate change issues. Eliasson's projects in public space include The New York City Waterfalls in 2008; Your rainbow panorama 2006-2011; 2014 Ice Watch; and Fjordenhus of Vejle in 2018. In 2012, Eliasson founded Little Sun, a social business that produces solar lanterns for off-grid communities. In 2014, he and architect Sebastian Behmann founded Studio Other Spaces, an art and architecture studio. olafureliasson.net

Press release, August 2019