Jan Hempel

Lichtsubjekte

Lamp maker

©Greta Steinberg

©Merle Büttner

Shining heavy metal

Jan combines traditional locksmith work with modern lighting technology
He transforms inorganic materials into warm-glowing beings
His lights are made as companions

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Jan Hempel moved from Hamburg to East Berlin. The plan was to study design there and to be part of the burgeoning creative scene. "In my teenage years, I discovered the junkyards in the harbour of Hamburg: I was fascinated and collected a lot of bizarre formed metal pieces which I used to build my first lamps.“ In Berlin-Kreuzberg, Jan found a locksmith workshop who trained him. He had a change of heart, and instead of applying to an art academy, he decided to work as an assistant with the international Artist Group ODIOUS for a few years. In an old factory hall near the Reichstag, together with three steel sculptors, he manufactured enormous abstract sculptures for public spaces in Germany. Today, Jan continues this tradition but runs his own workshop called Lichtsubjekte in Hamburg.

Interview

©Greta Steinberg

©Merle Büttner

How would you define what you are doing?: I’m a nerd. I define that as someone who chooses a certain aspect of this complex world and finds out as much as possible about that "thing". There is a universal pattern that triggers a feeling of harmony in us. I want to awaken this kind of association, that touches people unconsciously.
Do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: Manual precision is more important than fancy equipment. I’m working with basic metal-working tools and machines. My lathe is from the 1940s, but robust and reliable. There are exciting developments in the lighting industry: for example the emergence of LED-technology.
What would you suggest to young people who want to do your job?: Be curious and follow your instincts. If you are interested in an apprenticeship, look for someone who loves their job and don’t be shy to ask for training. Older craftsmen in particular usually like to share their knowledge and experience.
Can you tell us about an unforgettable moment in your professional life?: In my Berlin days, a huge and heavy sculpture accidentally fell over while it was being transported and just missed me by a few millimetres. I almost got killed by art. A moment of good luck, that makes you humble and shows you the preciousness of life.

Jan Hempel is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1990