Words and images Louis Poulsen Manila
Editing The Kanto Team
Louis Poulsen, a name synonymous with timeless, innovative lighting design, is celebrating 150 years of craftsmanship and creativity. From its humble beginnings as a small family business in Copenhagen, the brand has grown into an iconic force in the world of lighting design. To mark this significant milestone, Louis Poulsen launched The He(art) of Light exhibit in the Philippines, an immersive event showcasing the brand’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and artistic collaboration.
The exhibit, held at the Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building in BGC, offers a deep dive into Louis Poulsen’s storied history and its future vision. At the heart of the exhibition at the 29th floor is a striking circular pavilion, featuring one of the brand’s most iconic creations—the PH Artichoke lamp. Designed in 1958 by Poul Henningsen for Copenhagen’s Langelinie Pavilion, the PH Artichoke is made of 72 meticulously placed metal leaves that ensure flawless, glare-free illumination from every angle. This masterpiece remains one of Louis Poulsen’s most celebrated designs, representing the brand’s legacy of craftsmanship and enduring beauty.
In celebration of the anniversary, Louis Poulsen also unveiled limited-edition versions of its iconic lamps, including the AJ Mini, PH5, and the PH Artichoke. These anniversary editions maintain the elegance and functionality of the original designs while introducing subtle updates, such as a new minimalist matte white exterior combined with a soft pale pink interior. The PH Artichoke, in particular, is a limited release of only 300 pieces, each individually numbered, further solidifying its status as a collector’s item.
The He(art) of Light exhibit also explores how light intersects with art and emotion, thanks to its collaboration with rising Filipina photographer Colin Dancel. Her striking images, under the collection Yearning Form, reveal light as a dynamic force that shapes both emotion and form, finding beauty beyond utility. Dancel elaborates on the series in a social media post: “How do you carve form out of the intangible? Movement finds its place in the light, venerated through Louis Poulsen’s signature fixtures. Light and movement, metaphorically speaking, are possessions that elude physical grasp. Yet, literally, both are intimately choreographed, requiring touch and occupying space.
This exploration centers on four key themes: Source, Movement, Breath, Evolution—captured in phases from Abstraction to Form: In the end, we bear witness to its remnants, the many ways in which light searches for its form.”
As the Louis Poulsen team explained, the decision to work with local talent like Dancel highlights the brand’s commitment to supporting creatives across different fields. “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.
We sat down with the Louis Poulsen team for a quick chat on how the brand has continued to innovate while staying true to its roots, particularly in the context of sustainability, design, and their ongoing support for artists like Dancel.
As trends now shift toward sustainability and personalization, how is a brand like Louis Poulsen, with its 150-year heritage, evolving to keep up, especially here in the Philippines?
Priscilla Lydia, LP Regional Sales Manager APAC: Sustainability is a global focus, and while it might not be a traditional Southeast Asian concept, we’ve been making strides in that direction. For instance, our Panthella lamp (1971, Verner Panton), one of our best sellers here, now comes with replaceable batteries. This shift extends the lifespan of the product, reducing waste and offering a longer-lasting solution for customers. Previously, a Panthella lamp’s LED would last around five years, but once it stopped working, you’d need to replace the whole lamp. Now, with replaceable batteries, we’re allowing customers to keep their lamps for much longer, aligning with our goal of sustainability.
Ethel Tan, LP Brand & PR Manager APAC: I’d add that Louis Poulsen’s focus on product longevity ties into this. Our designs are timeless, crafted with care so that they can be passed down from generation to generation. People don’t need to repurchase products constantly because of their durability and timeless design. With regard to personalization, our collaborations with top international designers enhance the ability of our products to reflect individual personalities.
The exhibit goes beyond product curation to illustrate Louis Poulsen’s 150-year journey, offering a deep dive into its evolving design philosophy and expanding global collaborations, particularly after World War II. It showcases iconic pieces like Arne Jacobsen’s AJ lamps for the SAS Royal Hotel, alongside historical artifacts and audiovisual storytelling that introduce visitors to designers like Poul Henningsen and Vilhem Lauritzen, whose contributions have become inseparable from the brand’s design identity.
The timeless quality of Louis Poulsen’s designs seems to resonate with every market it enters. Has there been any effort to collaborate with more Asian designers as it widens its footprint in the region?
Lydia: Yes, we’ve been working with Japanese designers, and we’ll be collaborating with more Asian designers in the near future. For example, we’ve had past collaborations with multi-awarded Japanese studio nendo (NJP series), and we’re excited about an upcoming product launch as part of our AW24 campaign so do watch out for that. Working with Asian designers allows us to bring fresh perspectives into our designs while remaining true to our philosophy of creating quality lighting. The relevance of light in shaping our environment is something that resonates across cultures, and these collaborations help us explore that even further.
With 150 years of craftsmanship and lighting innovation to its name, Louis Poulsen’s legacy stands as proof of the enduring power of great design. But the brand isn’t resting on its laurels. As the team shared, Louis Poulsen has ambitious plans for the Philippines, where its focus on quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability has resonated. The exhibit is a step in this direction, reflecting the brand’s vision to become a staple in Filipino homes.
Louis Poulsen has been in Manila for two years now. Can you share any upcoming plans or activations we can expect as the brand moves forward?
Luth Cardano, Louis Poulsen Brand Manager – Philippines: Our exhibit with Colin Dancel is one of FGI’s biggest events this year, and we’re committed to building on this momentum with more annual collaborations with local artists. Our aim is to stay visible, with constant engagement with architects, designers, and homeowners across the Philippines.
At Focus Global, we’re driven by the goal of reaching 100 million homes in Southeast Asia, and Louis Poulsen is a key part of achieving that vision. Its enduring craftsmanship and innovative spirit help us bring transformative lighting solutions into Filipino homes, enhancing spaces where people can truly thrive. •
The He(art) of Light exhibit is open to the public until September 15, 2024.
For more information on Louis Poulsen products, visit their Instagram page @lightsbyfgi or explore their showroom on the 10th floor of the Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building, located at 24th Street corner 7th Avenue, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City. Louis Poulsen is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Focus Global, Inc.
