”In the mind of Alexander Lervik” Kulturhuset Stockholm 2018
Swedish Light award
Alexander Lervik has been working as a product designer for 20 years. His work is characterised by innovation, humour, passion, unruliness and intensity. From his design studio in Södermalm, Stockholm, Lervik collaborates with some of the foremost Swedish and international producers, including: Absolut Art, Aritco, Designhouse Stockholm, Atelje Lyktan, Johanson Design, Skaargarden, Skandiform, Zero, Adea and Saas Instruments in Finland and Italy’s Moroso.
Lervik’s design process generally stems from a strong conceptual idea: he saw the benefits of working conceptually right from the time of his graduation from Beckmans College of Design in 1998 and producing his final project. His 10 stools – 10 decades exhibition enjoyed great success, with over one million visitors; praised, among other things, for its conceptual scope that made it easily accessible to the observer. A strong focus on the conceptual can also be seen in Lervik’s exhibitionsFive playful chairs (Gallerie Pascale) and Enlightenment (Röhsska Museet).
Alexander Lervik’s vision is to create products that provide new experiences and impressions for the observer: “I love innovation! My favourite publication is ‘Forskning och framsteg’ and I am inspired to find my own new solutions within the fields I work in,” he says.
The Brighthandle door handle (2001) that communicates via coloured light is one example of Lervik’s fascination with innovation. Another example is the Lucy folding table (2013), where the design of the leg enables a safe and flexible solution; when unfolded the leg is locked into place by its own force. Light and, above all, LED lighting fascinate Lervik and he has his own special mission: Finding applications that have not previously been highlighted. “We live in a country where darkness dominates for large parts of the year. I notice that it makes me feel more positive working on projects that centre on light, which is a major reason for my interest. LED technology, with its compact size and economical heat exchange, makes it possible to introduce light in unexpected contexts.
His creations range from small bicycle lamps to large light works of art, from furniture to architectural assignments, and from art glassware to liquor bottles. He feels it is a major business advantage for himself and his clients that he can switch between artistic projects and more commercial assignments: “I am convinced that experimenting within the artistic field makes me a better designer of industrial products. I let my passions serve to fuel my wider work,” concludes Alexander. In 2013 Alexander started Tingest. The Tingest brand offers products for the home inspired by Scandinavian design heritage. The majority of the items are manufactured in Sweden in association with carefully selected skilled craftsmen and based on a commitment to natural materials, sustainability and ecology.
In 2016 Alexander exhibits in the windows of NK, Scandinavias most well known department store. 12 new products including the new Tingest collection, a homelift and a new innovation for Absolut Art will be displayed in the windows.
Alexander is represented at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, the National Museum and the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo and the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg.
In April until August 2018 a retrospective exhibition of 900 sqm took place at Kulturhuset in Stockholm.