Frydenlys

A light installation to inspire locals and passersby to be more confident in using Frydenlundparken after dark. Designed through co-creation, with the locals heavily involved via workshops, conversations and a present design-process. Showing the ability of art, in intersecting a good balance of dark and light, in recreational parks. The project was completed on 9th November 2024.

Frydenlundparken is a recreational public space, that was recently created on a former school property, to transform the unused lawns in the front and provide a multitude of activity areas, for passersby as well as local residents. The park was deemed by local residents as having an issue with the sense of safety, due to it being completely dark after dusk and containing spots of substantial vegetation, obscuring views.
The issues with Frydenlundparken meant that it was the perfect location, to test out uncommon methods of providing subtle ambient lighting, on a level that aimed to intersect the wish for lighting and the need to give space to the darkness, that the native wildlife requires.
Considering the strong community in the area, the project was drafted with co-creation at its heart.
Light artist Jakob Kvist was selected for the project, based on his past artworks, which fit well with the physical attributes of Frydenlundparken. He has also been a proponent of co-creation, with several inspirational projects in recent years.
Through workshops and a surveying of the area and locals, Jakob designed a system which layers colours in the outer greenery, as well as sitting areas, to envelop the park in a subtle presence of light.
All fixtures were installed carefully and discretely, to respect the natural environment of the park, while also supporting positive use beyond dusk. All fitting perfectly into how the locals have dreamt of using their park.

Experience:
Frydenlundparken was a project rich in the possibilities of co-creation (samskabelse in danish), which meant that selecting the right artist as well as researching local associations and drawing up the framework to work within was crucial.
Highlighted circumstances, that I dealt with in this project:

Research and selection of artist based on very specific goals, that necessitated finding the perfect candidate.
Defining scope and framework of concept and advising on the different iterations of the process, that were proposed. Especially to guarantee a natural integration of the lighting, into the recreational areas.
Advising on technical parts to make sure that fixtures and auxiliary components chosen, were right for the framework of upkeep, for the future.
Defining focus in and arranging of independent analysis to measure effectiveness of the light volume and expression, in heightening the sense of safety, for users of the park.