20
Bernhard Osann
Q What does drawing light
means for you?
B.O. Light is immaterial,
kind of magic. It strongly
influences how we perceive
our environment. I use light purposefully
and selectively. For me it is important to
allow you to dose the intensity of light and
to spread light within a room in different
ways. The flexibility of the lamp plays a
particular role. It helps to apply the light
precisely where it’s needed.
Q What is the most complicated aspect in
designing a lamp?
B.O. A new lamp should have a certain
eligibility, should offer something new,
something better regarding to its technology,
function, and design. The starting point is
a strong basic idea, a concept. It determines
the design. I try to find the right balance
between the lamp as a sculpture and a tool.
Depending on its application, the design
tends more to one of these poles.
Q Where does the inspiration for your Nemo
lamps come from?
B.O. Essentially inspiration is everywhere.
Creativity is like an inner pool of impressions
which you can access and combine with no
limits. For me, essential impressions come
from nature, physics, and geometry. I like the
design process
to be playful and experimental. I am eager to
try something new and push the limits.
Q The ideal place where you would like to
see your work installed?
B.O. My lights are filigree and graphic in their
appearance. The ideal location would be a spot
which leaves enough space for the lamp to
enrich the room with its light and shape and
create a good atmosphere in the room. I like to
see my lamps together with beautiful natural
materials such as wood which accentuates the
contrast to their graphic appearance.
Q The future of lighting design from your
point of view?
B.O. The fusion of different areas of life
requires increasingly flexible lighting options.
In the future, luminaires must meet these
requirements both technically and
aesthetically.
At the same time, responsible resource
management will also come into focus, as in all
other areas. I believe that durable, high-quality
products will prevail in the long run.
Swan plus, wall. Designed by Bernhard Osann.
Conversation with Bernhard Osann
