The Portal of Light is particularly glad that Olsson & Linder forms part from today of its light community. One of the reason is the volcanic nature of its founders and principals, Erik Olsson and Jöran Linder, whose original creativity is perfectly reflected by the small, cluttered office close to the University in Jönköping, Sweden, where they have their own headquarters. Erik and Jöran have for over ten years successively worked on lighting projects for residential areas, parks, churches, offices, shops and private homes and gardens. They have also designed a number of fixtures for a variety of lighting companies. The National Road Administration, Volvo, the Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish Church are only some of their clients, but it was when they were contacted by the municipal housing company in Jönköping that they found their own niche. Since then, Olsson & Linder have made a name for themselves by focusing on that part of Sweden that has been neglected for a long time, if not despised: the Million Housing Program. “You can’t solve all social problems with lighting design, but you can make the difference”, they are used to say. By using a relatively simple and straightforward lighting design they are actually able to transform a dark square of a suburb into a luminous, pleasant and safe place. Their work included a real struggle against social exclusion in socially disadvantaged areas. Every big city has, aside from areas where luckier people live, its socio-critical areas. In co-operation with private and municipal housing companies they are drawing up inventories and developing lighting design plans. They are also involved in renovation and refurbishment projects in the outdoor environment with a commitment to safety and comfort in the suburbs.
Besides the social approach to lighting design, what characterizes this dynamic duo is also the importance they give to communication. It is not a mere coincidence they are so much in demand as lecturers: if you have to organize a convention on light, a forum or something similar, nothing better than to have at your disposal a couple of lighting designers who have a well-established experience in projects with a social dimension – the new frontier of lighting design… – as well as a special talent in entertaining the audience as consummate showmen. “Attending a lecture by Erik Olsson and Jöran Linder is a bit like to go to a middle ground between a rock concert, a boxing match and a stand-up show”, recently wrote a Swedish journalist. And we agree with him: they have the capacity to face very serious themes like the social aspects of lighting design and the importance of involving people in the design process (to work with and for people) without a single moment of boredom. It is clear that they probably would fun to realize something big and cool abroad, “but I’m not sure a luxury hotel in Dubai is more ‘exotic’ than what we are doing right now in Jönköping”, Erik says. Periodically, they measure themselves against projects of different nature, indeed, like art installations, pop festivals, children’s theatre and other cultural events. Economic returns are low, “but we do it for ourselves, to find inspiration and not get stuck in one style”, adds Jöran… And these words sound unbelievably sincere, probably because they are the truth.
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