Double Focus

Doubles Focus balances public safety lighting needs with environmental sensitivity through innovative glass artworks, that engage in a harmonious dialogue with landscape and wildlife, to bend visitors’ perception of the area.

Double Focus is an artwork situated at a challenging intersection—where a bridge connects four recreational paths in the Brabrand lake area of Aarhus.
The site presents a delicate balance: while citizens need well-lit paths after dark for safety, the nature area requires careful consideration regarding the type and intensity of lighting installed.
To address these competing needs, a competition sought proposals for an artwork that would create a reassuring presence along the path system while respecting the surrounding environment, with minimal light output.
Artist Jakob Oredssons Double Focus was selected by a committee comprising Lys På Aarhus, Chief City Architect Stephen Willacy, Artists Elle-Mie Ejdrup Hansen and Bo Mølgaard, and cultural department director Lars Davidsen.

The artist describes the artwork:

A work which challenges passersby through simultaneously focusing and blurring their visual perception. Double Focus operates through its relations to the landscape and its perceivers. Encountering the work engages the everyday passerby in reflection upon the journey through the landscape, but also the journey of the landscape itself. No longer a passive stretch one passes by, it becomes an active companion. It is a work which celebrates the past and future journeys of the location. As you move, the landscape moves with you.
Two circular glass forms with a radial white gradient are placed opposite from each other on each end of the bridge “De Tre Broer”. Through their positions and alignment, optical and illuminating qualities, in relationship to the context they emphasize and engage with the surrounding landscape and its perceivers.
Jakob Oredsson on jakoboredsson.com

Experience:
My experience with Double Focus centered on production management—specifically securing manufacturers and contractors who could meet the exacting standards and meticulous detail this artwork demanded and deserved. Afterwards during my responsibilities with upkeep, the environmental conditions and limited site accessibility made maintenance particularly challenging.
Highlighted circumstances, that I dealt with in this project:

Advising on technical parts to make sure that fixtures and auxiliary components chosen, were right for the expression which was needed as well as expected exposure to the elements and vandalism.
Developing and executing press package consisting of photography, descriptions, publication etc.