Poul Henningsen - Artichoke Lamp

DESIGNING A THEATER - An Architectural Journey
Additional information
 
In our earlier posting regarding The Geffen Playhouse, we forgot to include the following story.

Whenever  a building is scheduled to be modified and/or conserved, all items must be removed. This forces current occupants to search through every nook and cranny, sometimes discovering long-lost treasures.

In this case, one important item was indeed found: a PH Artichoke Lamp. Originally designed by Poul Henningsen and considered a masterpiece of modern design, this particular Artichoke Lamp, which was discovered in the third floor tower space of the building, is composed of 72 "leaves" with a light source which is perfectly concealed within.

Architect, Ron Frink, AIA, (RFA), suggested the perfect solution. Rather than store the lamp, why not hang it at the entry of the new Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. Since the building, at one time, housed a Danish furniture store - what would be more appropriate? So, today, as patrons of The Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater enter the building, they view and walk beneath the lovely, preserved Artichoke Lamp.

 Poul Henningsen at Louis Poulsen