Cairn

Debuting at the Design Biennale Rotterdam, Cairn by Laurids Gallée marks a powerful statement in sculptural lighting. Presented as a solo exhibition within the monumental setting of the Groot Handelsgebouw, the installation introduced a new body of work that reimagines the ancient symbolism of cairns through contemporary material exploration.

Comprising six to seven large-scale light sculptures in resin, aluminum, and integrated LED, the collection blurs the line between function and ritual. As visitors move through the space, light refracts through the stacked translucent forms, creating the illusion of motion weightless, yet monumental. Each piece holds a quiet presence, evoking reverence and curiosity.

Positioned within the Biennale’s theme, “What’s real is unfamiliar,” the exhibition navigates the space between memory and perception, permanence and illusion. Gallée’s manipulation of material and light speaks to a future-facing craft, one rooted in storytelling and visual transformation.

Cairn at Design Biennale Rotterdam offered a rare opportunity to experience Gallée’s work in the city where his practice is based but seldom exhibited, marking both a homecoming and a launchpad for international dialogue.