Tag: dutch design week

Untouchables Retouched

The Salone di Mobile in Milan is the place for designers young and old to present their latest wares and mingle with the design crowd. While most events take place either at the Salone itself (the huge commercial trade fair on the outskirts of Milan), or at one of the other designated design districts, Dutch Invertuals opted for a more secluded spot close to Garibaldi station.

Based on the Untouchables show presented during Dutch Design Week, Untouchables Retouched sees the collective revisiting its projects through upscaling, upcycling or completely new work.

What binds the twelve creatives/studios seems to be their fascination for pure and honest materials which are thoroughly researched before they are used to create interesting products and projects. The theme of this show was the beauty of vulnerability, something that could be found in many different forms. Raw Colour for instance presented a cryptographer allowing visitors to text a message which was then ‘translated’ into code. The code itself can be printed on fabric, resulting in a scarf whose code is only known to the wearer.

For the show Jetske Visser deepened her research into soot and looked to ancient Chinese tradition for inspiration. Stumbling upon the lost art of ink tablet making, Visser created an entire tabletop which can be used for that purpose. The cracked tabletop seems to relay a poetic message to its user, as over time the layer of carbon will gradually diminish, leaving no ink left to write with.

Two new Invertuals were also added to the group exhibition: Maurizio Montalti and Kirstie van Noord. Montalti offers a critical view of our design world as he looks at ways to reduce our earth’s plastic waste problem by using living organisms in the form of fungi. These improved life forms decompose plastics while simultaneously turning them into bioethanol which in turn can be used as fuel. Van Noord has researched the mining process of porcelain and discovered that one kilo of pure white porcelain equals six kilos of waste. By using proportions (6:1) of this orange-coloured residue in her work, the designer shows its beauty through texture and colour.

Many other interesting, thought-provoking and sometimes rather strange projects were on show at Dutch Invertuals, definitely worth the journey out.

http://www.dutchinvertuals.nl/

DDW EINDHOVEN PART I

written by Hilde Koenders

For weeks I was looking forward to visit DDW (Dutch Design Week) in my previous hometown Eindhoven. This year the event seems to be bigger than ever. All over the city different design shows and exhibitions take place. This weekend I visited the following Exhibitions: Dutch Invertuals, JSPR, Zand, We Make Carpets and last but not least; Klein /\ Groot.

Dutch Invertuals
Dutch Invertuals is an annual show that brings together a collective of individual designers. Design studio EDHV hosts and curates the designers and shows the results in their amazing office space nearby central station. The theme of this years Dutch Invertuals exhibition is called Untouchables, in which the designers celebrate vulnerability.
Here a selection of my favorite pieces.

JSPR
In his brand new industrial workspace next to the railway studio JSPR shows their collection of new work.

Zand
In one of the nicest areas in Eindhoven the Bergen, some small but very interesting expo’s were initiated. For example at Zand gallery on the second floor of hairdresser Faces a stunning mix of art and design were shown.

We Make Carpets
Also on the Kleine Berg we went to the opening of ‘Small carpets and scale models’. A dollhouse was decorated with miniaturized scale models of familiar furniture designs. For each little room We Make Carpets created tiny carpets using different materials for each version. The material defined the form and pattern. We had to hold our breath to take a close look.
Admire their work…

Don’t forget to visit Klein /\ Groot on the end corner of the street where Eindhovens finest artists hang out. Sit down for a beer, get your face photographed with sunglasses and wonder around. Bring some cake for Bob on wednesday.

DUTCH DESIGN WEEK

written by Grietje Schepers

Dutch Design Week Eindhoven, a week full week to see and celebrate (Dutch) Design! www.ddw.nl Some of the must see event are:

GRADUATION SHOW 2011, DESIGN ACADEMY EINDHOVEN

www.designacademy.nl

SPRING, DESIGNHUIS

Excellence, Talent and Inspiration in Design, Designhuis in Eindhoven

www.premsela.org

PIET HEIN EEK

During DDW Joep van Lieshout / Atelier Van Lieshout exhibits EPIDEMIA inside and outside of the Piet Hein Eek complex

Besides Joep van Lieshout many more designers/artists will exhibit their work at Piet Heijn Eek. There’s also a great shop and restaurant!

www.pietheineek.nl

DUTCH INVERTUALS

“With the exhibition UNTOUCHABLES we celebrate vulnerability”

SECTIE C

A New area where 56 designers, artists and creative companies have their workshops. It is a creative incubator, where young talent and established designers come together. During DDW, Sectie C will open its doors for the first time. All creatives will have Open Workshops.

www.smallehaven.com