Power
In conversation with Jasper Livius
The Netherlands has many top entrepreneurs who elevate the country to the highest level. Craft, passion and mastery are central to their work. MASTERS regularly speaks with these masters. This week we talk with Jasper Livius, founder and owner of industrial design agency Kappennow Amsterdam.
The Netherlands has many top entrepreneurs who take BV Nederland to the highest level; craft, passion and mastery play an important role in this. MASTERS regularly talks to these Masters. This week a conversation with the founder-owner of industrial design agency Kappennow Amsterdam: Jasper Livius
Functional
“I have been making things with my hands since I was young. I went to art school – drawing, painting. However, I thought free art was too free. I liked it more to make something that was functional. The fact that they became lampshades was pure coincidence. I was molding plastic. But I had way too many roles, my studio was completely full. I asked via the internet if anyone wanted the material. This is how I came into contact with a lampshade maker: he could use the plastic well for his production. I didn't know there was plastic in lampshades. That triggered me to start making them myself, in 3D. I have been doing that for seven years now. I still work with that lampshade maker. Although I called my company Kappennow - I lived in The Hague for a while - I moved from lampshades to lighting quite quickly.
How does that happen? At MASTERS EXPO 2017 I met Frans Koek from Eindhoven, an institute in the field of lighting. He really liked my distorted lampshades and invited me to come to Eindhoven. "You must be willing to sell my staff." I come in there proudly with my lampshades, only to be told that it was mood lighting. 'And we sell lighting. Your lamp gives nice light, but that is of no use to us. We want usable light.' Then, in addition to mood lighting, I also started offering functional light such as spotlights.”
Monumental
“The lamp hanging here in the showroom of Vyva Fabrics, a wholesaler specialized in furniture, project and outdoor fabrics, is a typical design by me. It really is a statement. I also studied Architectural Design/Monumental in Arnhem. That is about applied art in public space. That's actually what this is, only with lighting. This lamp is a monumental gesture, a defining element for this building. It is made of aluminum and the fabrics of the lampshades are from Vyva Fabrics, which makes it really the lamp of owner Carol Driessen. If she ever moves, a new building will be built around this lamp. Such tailor-made projects are extremely intensive and take me about four months to complete. I listen to the customer, but I want to be able to follow my own feelings. I think that mutual trust is very important. It has to click. 'Pronounced lighting designs for pronounced people' is on my website for a reason. Before I have such a whopper produced, I first show a sketch to the customer - otherwise it gets too exciting.
My lamps are made in the Netherlands and are not made in China, which makes them more valuable. Large projects like this are not very profitable, but they do put me on the map. In addition to the custom work, I also have regular lamps for sale in the store - a reading lamp, a wall lamp. You will also find my signature in those designs: the material partly determines the design. There are many parts in my studio; I start working on that and then a design is created. I also often show what the material is: bare steel, copper… Good quality, high-end in terms of parts. And they can also be damaged, because then a lamp comes alive. They are often heavy lamps, literally. No nonsense, always the best execution, no concessions. My goal is to be a household name in this business in five years, so that everyone knows that you can come to me to make your wishes come true.”
Stubborn
“That's how I made the lamp that hung in the lobby of MASTERS EXPO last December. Stefan Enthoven of Expo Flora, which helps organize the fair, came up with a concept: a lamp that is easy to transport and can be used several times. That's why I made a lamp that consists of eight parts. The finish is according to the customer's wishes, which I have printed. I am currently playing around with recyclable material. But having such lamps printed is still far too expensive. It's just like electric driving: the idea is good, but it still needs to be further developed. I am very interested in sustainability, although lighting is not ecological in advance: an LED lamp may be sustainable, but the transformer and light source are not.
I am known for my lighting, but I also design other furniture. At home I mainly have designs from others, vintage - I like that. My son attended the Wood and Furniture College and now works intensively with me as a self-employed person. We go to the thrift store once a week. There you see the past and how it was made. And if it has lasted thirty years, you immediately know that it is of good quality. We both enjoy adding flair to such furniture. My son also welds, then he makes a combination of wood and steel, so that it is drawn to the present. In addition to my son, I also mentor other young artists, mostly young graduates. I enjoy passing on my experience to them and giving them a place where they can develop. Also economically, so that they learn early what consequences their work has for the outside world. Because in the end they have to make a living from it. For that you have to be kind of stubborn, but not too stubborn. Just like me."
