He has long since ceased to be an insider tip when it comes to unconventional lighting design: Daniel Rybakken. The 30-year-old Norwegian, who studied at the School of Design and Crafts attached to Gothenburg University, has not only bagged several renowned design prizes in recent years, but has also designed more than a dozen luminaires. Most of them are the fruit of collaboration with Italian makers Luceplan, including the “Counterbalance” wall-mounted luminaire, which won the “Compasso d’Oro 2014” and catches the eye with its expansive arm. Moreover, Rybakken addresses light at the conceptual and artistic levels, and presents these pieces at Galerie Kreo in Paris or now and again in a larger installation. And his latest creation for Luceplan only goes to show that he not only has a feel for precise and simple luminaires.

Martina Metzner: Mr. Rybakken, did you steal the baubles from a Christmas tree?

Daniel Rybakken: Heehee… No I did not! The 85mm spheres are actually custom-made in Parma, Italy of borosilicate glass (the same material as in medical test tubes), which is many times less fragile than “Christmas baubles”.

Your luminaire is called “Stochastic”, so what is random, what is planned?

Daniel Rybakken: Well it is random with some constraints. The lamp is constructed with 48 metalized or opal glass spheres hung from 48 piano wires with 48 different lengths. The way these are hung by the customer dictates how the composition will appear.

How probable is it that you design something other than lighting?

Daniel Rybakken: I would say that if you wait until the Salone next year the likelihood is quite high!

www.danielrybakken.com
www.luceplan.com

Luceplan Showroom
Corso Monforte 7
Milan

Salone Internazionale del Mobile
April 14-19, 2015
Milan, Rho trade-fair complex
Hall 13, booth C18