While the concentrated, sharp beam of a spotlight compels us to take center stage and demands our undivided attention, the soft, diffused glow of a shaded lamp invites us to decompress, let down our guard, and settle comfortably into our surroundings. Through his thoughtfully conceived new collections, Touch and Strut, Coil + Drift founder John Sorensen-Jolink explores the profound ways in which contrasting styles of lighting can fundamentally alter the atmosphere of a room and shape the emotional state of its inhabitants. Presented together under the overarching title Lookout, a compelling new exhibition currently on view at Colony in New York City, the body of work brilliantly contrasts intentional, focused illumination with a warm, atmospheric glow.
As a contemporary dancer turned multidisciplinary designer, Sorensen-Jolink possesses a deeply ingrained understanding of the significance of light within physical space. Whether it is being utilized to guide the human focus, capture the fluid lines of movement, or establish a specific emotional ambiance, lighting invariably shifts people’s lived experience of a room. He explores this dynamic relationship intimately in Touch and Strut, working closely with a specialized team of in-house artisans to translate his sophisticated background in movement, spatial awareness, and choreography into tangible, sculptural lighting objects.
The exhibition itself serves as a meditation on these themes, drawing heavily from the designer’s personal history and his immediate environment. Growing up in a home that had been meticulously renovated by a theater worker, Sorensen-Jolink was surrounded during his formative years by dimly lit interiors where recessed fixtures and track lighting cast sharp, concentrated pools of illumination. Though he initially harbored a resistance to this dominant, somewhat impersonal light source, his latest creative endeavor marks a deliberate return to the spotlight, approaching it with a renewed, hands-on appreciation in the Touch collection.
Touch reimagines the classic theatrical spotlight and adapts it for the domestic sphere. Constructed primarily from durable brass or sleek steel, the series features adjustable, cylindrical shades and slender, architectural stems that allow users to easily pivot and direct the beams of light. Furthermore, thoughtful wooden accents are integrated throughout the pieces to emphasize tactility, ensuring that the hardware feels warm and approachable rather than strictly industrial. Rather than remaining fixed and static, the fixtures within the Touch collection allow light to shift fluidly in response to the changing needs of the room, successfully balancing mechanical precision with the comforting intimacy of human touch.
Reflecting on the psychological impact of these focused beams, Sorensen-Jolink explains that lighting can profoundly alter human behavior within a given space. When you find yourself standing directly inside a concentrated pool of light, you instinctively feel as though you are on display—you are performing, active, and fully engaged. Conversely, when you step just outside of that boundary, you can sort of disappear into the softer shadows of the room, shedding the pressure of visibility.
While Touch is explicitly designed to foster focus, active engagement, and theatrical clarity, the companion Strut collection introduces a quiet, steady ambiance intended to support the natural, everyday rhythms of a residential home. Inspired directly by the exposed wooden frameworks of historic fire lookout towers scattered across the rugged landscapes of the Catskill and Rocky Mountains, this collection translates that quiet architectural utility into refined wooden lighting fixtures. These pieces feature subtle metal detailing and an intentional, artistic use of negative space that allows the surrounding room to breathe.
To achieve the desired quality of light for Strut, Sorensen-Jolink turned to elongated linen shades. These elements were inspired in part by the designer’s personal collection of vintage cloth-shaded lamps, and they emit an enveloping, gentle glow that feels remarkably reminiscent of a glowing ember or a crackling campfire on a quiet evening. The texture of the linen diffuses the light evenly, stripping away harsh glares and replacing them with a pervasive sense of warmth and tranquility.
Together, the two collections embody two distinctly contrasting approaches to illumination, both of which are deeply informed by the ever-changing natural light surrounding Sorensen-Jolink’s studio in the Catskills. Through their distinct forms, thoughtful proportions, and carefully selected materials, Touch and Strut manage to balance focused illumination with softer, ambient light, successfully introducing the natural, shifting rhythms of sun and shade directly into the modern home.
Lookout is on view until Oct. 21 at Colony Gallery in New York City.
