Interview

• Could you tell us a little bit about your material?

  It was paper production that sparked my interest initially. I wanted to develop a plant fibre paper that was both very tear-resistant and very translucent. In papermaking, these two points usually contradict each other. I experimented with different plants such as hemp and flax and tried out different chemical and physical processes.

• Are ecological considerations important to you?

  Absolutely. As an example, I only use filtered rainwater and electricity from renewable sources for my work. I avoid toxins and use oxygen bleaching instead. Most materials I use for my lights are compostable. I use a mineral-based flame-retardant substance.

• Why do you tend to work on commission?

  I value dialogue with customers very much. I am often forced to rethink and see things from new perspectives when they come to me with their ideas. I always ask for photos of the location so that I can make a photo-simulation of the light object. I like to add creative suggestions to a customer's initial brief and they tend to choose this version in the end.

• What was a special commissioned piece you did?

  A Chinese client once commissioned me to build a light sculpture for a newly built shopping mall in Beijing. A big showroom would house the lamp, which would hang down several metres. I assembled it once completely in my studio and wrote a detailed guide for reassembly. This lamp had 45 elements, 78 suspension points, and nearly 10 000 LEDs. Unfortunately, I have never seen it in situ.