Woka Lamps Vienna is one of the best exhibitors to admire at ICFF 2019. Don’t miss your chance to visit them. While studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, the talented Wolfgang Karolinsky discovered his love for applied arts and started restoring and dealing with design pieces. The works of Josef Hoffmann and the historical Wiener Werkstaette were the masterpieces that awoke his special interest.
ICFF: “Knize Symmetric-35” (1909) by Adolf Loos. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
ICFF: “Exploding Star” (1960) by Lobmeyr/Zahn. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
ICFF: “Bakalowits Supernova”. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
His dedicated studies in libraries led to a photo-archive containing more than 7500 images of objects manufactured in the early 20th century. In the 1970s, a huge collection of Jugendstil-lamps started to be sold and an active trade began. Due to the urgent need of restoring the lamps, Karolinsky collaborated with several skilled craftsmen, who still knew the ancient technics of metalworking.
ICFF: “Luna-45” (1912) by Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstaette. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
ICFF: Petite Bakalowits Chandelier Mid Century Modern (1960). Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
These partnerships allowed him to start manufacturing lighting pieces. Acquiring the copyrights and buying original tools from 1900 was the keystone to create Woka Lamps Vienna. Around 1980, the teamwork with George Kovacs began and Woka Lamps is present on the US market since then.
“Peche 2” by Dagobert Peche and Wiener Werkstaette. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
“WW Pende 3” (1903) by Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstaette. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
“Baroque Style Chandelier” (1920) by Austrian Mastercraft. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
In the early years, Woka admirers were mainly furnishing and lighting retailers. However, recently architects and interior designer started to value the luxurious high-quality standards of the brand.
“Zacherl-35”. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
The Woka workshop employs in its Wiener Werkstaette an international team of high skilled and very talented designers and master artisans, who manufacture some of the most iconic and pioneering lighting designs of the past century.
“Art Deco Chairs Dagobert Peche attr pair” (1920) by Dagobert Peche and Wiener Werkstaette. Photo: ©Woka Lamps Vienna
Stay with us to find out more about ICFF 2019 and the best of contemporary art, design and craftsmanship.
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