Designer John Sorensen-Jolink, founder of Coil + Drift, showcases his latest lighting collections, "Touch" and "Strut," at the Colony exhibition "Lookout" in New York. These collections explore the impact of lighting on spaces and moods, contrasting sharp illumination with a softer ambiance to create a harmonious interplay of light.
With a background in contemporary dance, Sorensen-Jolink emphasizes how light transforms environments. The designs, crafted in collaboration with in-house artisans, reinterpret movement into sculptural forms that embody elegance and motion.
"Touch" reflects Sorensen-Jolink’s theatrical influences and initially challenges the starkness of recessed lights, ultimately embracing their clarity with sophistication. Made from brass or steel, this collection features adjustable shades and wooden elements that allow for precise light manipulation, embodying a refined style of illumination. Sorensen-Jolink notes, "When you step into the light, you perform; stepping out lets you fade away."
In contrast, the "Strut" collection promotes tranquility, inspired by the structural openness of fire lookout towers. It integrates wood with subtle metal accents and elongated linen shades that produce a warm, ember-like glow, enhancing the versatility of decorative lighting in modern spaces.
Together, "Touch" and "Strut" reflect contrasting styles influenced by the surroundings of Sorensen-Jolink’s Catskills studio. These designs merge focused illumination with ambient light, mimicking natural transitions within a home’s comfort.
The exhibition, "Lookout," runs until October 21 at Colony Gallery in New York City.
