Fold it out and light the candle, and the flame will illuminate the Christmas goat’s or Darlecalia Horse exact shaped profile. The walls behind it will also come alive with a flickering enlarged shadow image. Jan Klinger manages to bring the truly traditional Christmas goat into contemporary settings.

The stylized clear-cut form is reminiscent of Pagan festivals, even the Norse god Thor riding the sky with a chariot harnessed to two goats. At the same time, it is a strong Swedish icon to be cherished not only during Christmas. Pop Up is as thin as a postcard. But unfolded it will hold a little candle securely and grow even bigger when alight. The sheets of brass or stainless steel assure rigidity and a firm posture. Send it as a truly Scandinavian Christmas gift to friends far and close, or why not use it to decorate at home all year round? ’The amazing thing about life in Sweden is the importance of light, especially during the dark season. Candlesticks, candelabras, votives are not only functional, but they also create a very emotional and alive atmosphere in all kinds of settings.’ Jan Klingler started out with a Darlecalia horse another Swedish icon, for the Christmas market during his second year at Konstfack, the Stockholm University of Arts, Crafts and Design. He has also an elk in the making, all three of them immensely popular not only in Sweden but also in his homeland Germany. The Christmas goat will certainly make many think about its giant namesake in the city of Gävle, although that one has usually been set on fire since the town started its tradition back in the ’60s. ’My Pop Up stays put, both safe and unscathed,’ assures Jan Klingler who has been creating light sculptures all since he presented his intricate New Light as his master project at Konstfack 2018: microorganisms captured in mouth blown art glass. ’Pop Up is fun and stylish at the same time,’ says Anders Färdig, founder of Design House Stockholm.