Daniel Rybakken

Daniel Rybakken grew up in Oslo, Norway. He studied design at the Oslo School of Architecture and at the School of Arts & Crafts in Gothenburg, Sweden. After graduating in 2008 with a Masters degree in Fine Arts, he opened his own design studios in both Oslo and Gothenburg. Rybakken creates simple designs, stripped back to their essential elements, reinterpreting the curved organic forms of the Nordic School. Some of his creations evoke a sense of detachment from the present, combining modernity with a 50’s aesthetic. Defying a core principle of Scandinavian design, his work is often not concerned with functionality, but rather focused on exploring complex conceptual questions concerned with physical identity, the illusion of reality and perceived values. Rybakken’s work occupies the area between art and design, forming limited editions, art installations and prototypes for serial production. Rybakken’s work focuses on the exploration of natural and artificial light; his main preoccupation has been recreating the illusion of daylight. Mobility, suspension, balance and manual actions are all recurrent themes. His exploration into the art world, such as his light installations, lend a surrealist value to his production. His creations often serve aesthetic, rather than functional purposes, encouraging user interaction. Daniel has received numerous awards, including: the prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ Red Dot Award in Singapore in 2007; theAnders Jahre’s Cultural Prize for Young Artists in Oslo in 2008; the Design Report Award for best designer at Salone Satellite in Milan in 2009 and the Bruno Mathsson Award in 2011.