While the concentrated light of a spotlight compels us to take center stage, the soft glow of a shaded lamp invites us to decompress and settle in. Through his striking new collections, Touch and Strut, Coil + Drift founder John Sorensen-Jolink explores how different forms of lighting profoundly affect both a room and its inhabitants. Presented together in an immersive new exhibition titled Lookout at Colony in New York City, the works contrast intentional, focused illumination with an inviting, atmospheric glow.
As a contemporary dancer turned designer, Sorensen-Jolink intimately understands the significance of light within a physical environment. Whether he is guiding focus, capturing movement, or establishing a distinct emotional ambiance, he recognizes that lighting fundamentally shifts people’s experience of a space. He explores this dynamic relationship in Touch and Strut, working closely with a specialized team of in-house artisans to translate his sophisticated understanding of movement and space into tangible, sculptural lighting objects.
The genesis of these collections lies deeply rooted in Sorensen-Jolink’s personal history and his current surroundings. Growing up in a home that had been renovated by a theater worker, he was constantly surrounded by dimly lit interiors where recessed and track lighting cast concentrated pools of illumination. Though he was initially resistant to this dominant and somewhat impersonal light source during his youth, Sorensen-Jolink eventually found himself returning to the spotlight, adopting a hands-on, highly considered approach in the creation of Touch.
Reimagining the theatrical spotlight as a domestic object, the Touch collection is constructed primarily from robust materials like brass and steel. It features adjustable, cylindrical shades and slender stems that allow users to pivot the beams with ease, while warm wooden accents are integrated to emphasize tactility and warmth. Rather than remaining fixed in a single position, Touch allows light to shift dynamically in response to the room, beautifully balancing mechanical precision with the comforting intimacy of human touch.
Reflecting on the psychological impact of this lighting style, Sorensen-Jolink explains the underlying concept behind the designs. When you are standing within a tight pool of light, you are undeniably on display and performing for the room. Conversely, when you step outside of that concentrated beam, you can sort of disappear into the surrounding shadows. This theatricality forms the emotional core of the Touch series, offering users control over their immediate environment and their visibility within it.
While Touch is engineered to foster concentration and active engagement, the companion collection, Strut, introduces a quiet, steady ambiance intended to support the natural, everyday rhythms of a home. The inspiration for Strut draws heavily from the exposed wooden frameworks of historic fire lookout towers scattered across the Catskill and Rocky Mountains. The collection translates this quiet architectural utility into warm wooden lighting fixtures that feature subtle metal detailing and a deeply intentional use of negative space.
Furthermore, the elongated linen shades found within the Strut collection are inspired in part by Sorensen-Jolink’s personal collection of vintage cloth-shaded lamps. These artisanal shades emit an enveloping, soft glow that is powerfully reminiscent of a glowing ember or a crackling campfire at the end of a long day. Together, the collections embody two contrasting yet complementary approaches to domestic illumination, directly informed by the shifting, natural light that surrounds Sorensen-Jolink’s studio in the Catskills. Through their distinct forms, sophisticated silhouettes, and carefully chosen materials, Touch and Strut successfully balance focused illumination with softer, ambient light, gracefully introducing the organic rhythms of sun and shade into the modern home.
Lookout is on view until October 21 at Colony Gallery in New York City.
