A Brand of Sculptural Lighting

THE BEGINNING
It all began with a lighting installation in Øksnehallen in Copenhagen, where Birgit met up with Jette Egelund the present CEO of VIPP A/S. Vipp had just recently bought a new domicile at Islands Brygge in Copenhagen and asked Birgit to oversee the entire decoration of their new showroom using lighting and artwork. During her work at Vipp Birgit stumbled across a piece of sailcloth. Jette suggested that she took it home to experiment with the effects of light and flammability of the material. It would soon show that the material had an illustrious impact on light and the later development of the final prototype showed the possibility of producing a great product remaining true to the initial idea.

FROM ARTIST TO MANUFACTURER
Birgit had spent several years running a small company producing handmade paper for exclusive graphical productions. At the same time she took on various decorating assignments for public as well as private entrepreneurs and her own workshop became the driving force behind several large international exhibits. Nonetheless Jette from Vipp believed that Birgits light designs were unique and showed great potential. The encouragements from Vipp lead to participation in the first commercial design fair. The idea was to create a new brand with a setoff in the sculptural expression in Birgits lamps. It was challenging work, and the insecurity towards the new field of expertise was significant. Everything was made on a low budget with Birgit as the only driving force. Vipp took part as a sparring partner advising Birgit on branding and handling of retailers.

THE DESIRE TO GROW
The ambition of creating a business able of sustaining Birgit financially was replaced by a yearning to build a company with a well functioning sales- and marketing force. The design fair had been a success. The press was with her and for the first time in her career as an artist a market for her industrial designs seemed to appear. The Danish market was soon conquered and later fairs showed a huge international potential. The company’s sales function was far from adapt to the situation. With Birgit and her husband joining hands in sales, a large effort has been made to secure the Nordic market. An increase in sales has made it possible to employ new people and marketing and sales has become a larger priority as well as involvement in international fairs.

BRANDING ART
Today Birgit Østergaard is a brand specialising in sculptural lighting. The company’s venture with intensive product development is characteristic. The portfolio of products will be expanded every year meeting the customers’ desires. The philosophy behind the products is that every individual is a creative thinking entity. Every lamp is uniquely shaped by the delighted owner of a Birgit Østergaard design. The illuminative sculptures add another dimension to lighting in our homes, but companies have also seen the light and are using Birgits designs – often using special design variations.

AN ART PIECE
Birgit Østergaard is an artist and the aesthetic expression is crucial. The sculptural idea for the sailcloth series came to life at an exhibition at the art museum in Aarhus in 1999. In 2002 the material as we know it today was chosen. The organic forms have a Nordic feel to them with ice and clouds as an inspirational source seen in the structure and surface of the sailcloth. The illuminative clouds, icebergs and pillows carry a distinct humour and irony from Birgits other artwork.

THE DESIGNS
The lamps have a timeless feel to them harnessing a universal sculptural value. The target customers are design aware consumers who wish to make their own contribution to the shape of home decoration. The customers’ inquiry for lamps in colours has resulted in a trend model being added to the lamp series. The white sailcloth lamp remains an essential part of the product span. From having a narrow product span consisting of 5 models, new models will be developed in accordance with the consumers desires. Birgit Østergaard has come to stay as lighting of the future.

DANISH DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Having seen the potential of the lamps, Birgit soon realized that production facilities where required. The choice fell on a small sailcloth manufacturer on an Island in southern Denmark where the lamps are still being produced. All the lamps are then shipped to Birgits workshop and showroom where they are assembled and distributed. Everything is handmade – from cutting the sailcloth to sewing together the parts and mounting the electrical components.

INSPIRATION
Travel, films and impressions from nature are all inspirational sources for the large exhibits. Industrial handling of materials have resulted in these illuminating sculptures. “Laterna Magica” in Øksnehallen 2002 was inspired by Italian filmmaker Guiseppe Tornatores film “Cinema Paradiso” which takes a special place in Birgit and her husbands great film experiences.