LIGHT – SHADOW – FORM. Finnish Design

In Finland in the winter months, the nights are long and the days are short. Darkness prevails: In the deepest winter, even in southern Finland there are only about five hours of daylight. Beyond the Arctic Circle the sun does not rise at all for many days.



Darkness has its own culture, its own history. In ancient times people sat together in the dark and told stories. Shadows appeared in the corners, stimulating the imagination. The little light available was not sufficient to do work, so other pastimes had to be invented to fill the long evenings.



Darkness inspires: In the darkness, images begin to live in our imagination. Is perhaps darkness a source of natural inspiration for creative people?



To dispel the darkness, light is needed in the form of lamps and light fittings. Finland has well-known lamp designers, and great attention is paid to lighting design. The spectrum ranges from classic designs known for many years to new forms, concepts and innovations. The further development of lighting technology offers tremendous opportunities for lighting design.



Designing light means designing something immaterial. Through the form of the lamp, light itself is given a form. The lamp can even be more – a work of art, a sculpture, impressive even without light. Or shadows can be shaped and the darkness can be made to be part of the lamp.

But how do you design light?



An exhibition of the Embassy of Finland and Design Forum Finland

Curator: Susanna Otranen/DFF
Texts: Anne Veinola/DFF and Designer
Grahpic design: Piritta Hannonen/DFF