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Dutch Design Week 2018: "If Not Us, Then Who?"

By Aart van Bezooijen - November 12, 2018

If not us, then who? This year's theme focuses on the impact and responsibility of design(ers) in defining how our future world will look like.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 1 of 79

Making and Metal
The national Crafts Council organization is sharing results of a five day masterclass where eight curious designers collaborated with experienced metalworkers. These metal/wood experiments are by Nane-Sophie Bergmann. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 2 of 79

What Matter_s Ten design studios and ten material researchers from southern Sweden have been collaborating at the intersection of art and science during six months.
Designer Anny Wang and architect Tim Söderström have been working with the NanoLund company. They were impressed with the (invisible) nanowire structures mimicked them into something visible, a heating element to regulate room temperature. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 4 of 79

What Matter_s Ten design studios and ten material researchers from southern Sweden have been collaborating at the intersection of art and science during six months.
Industrial designer Petra Lilja collaborated with bioscientist Ramune Kukaite and developed bioplastic recipies based on wheat-derived gluten. This material exploration titled "Gleather Glubber" demonstrates a wide range of shapes, colors and textures for future design applications. Photo by Marina Jackler 5 of 79

VEEM This year, the Dutch Invertuals were invited as curator to transform the parking garage of the VEEM building into an impressive exhibition. Endless flows of visitors used the glowing car ramps to move between floors.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 6 of 79

This Is Urine Sinae Kim (Central Saint Martins) is demonstrating her Urine Ware, a collection of decorative vessels glazed with urine-based minerals. Her project demonstrates the potential use of 2,8 billion gallons of human urine which is currently unused/wasted per day on a global scale. The shape of the vessels is inspired by the human bladder. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 7 of 79

This Is Not A Vase Robert Hahn (Burg Giebichenstein University Halle) takes an artistic approach to the industrial extrusion technology. Unlike creating perfect/straight profiles, his objects (not vases) are formed using the pasty behavior of various clays. Photo by Robert Haslbeck 9 of 79

150 Wooden Shoes Max Stalter (Burg Giebichenstein University Halle) has been exploring the symbolic power of the wooden shoe. He manipulated various wooden shoes to reflect contextual issues such as climate change, personal identity, political views, social status and advertising, or better said: "branding". Photo by Robert Haslbeck 10 of 79

Ba Hoe Ba Hoe is defined as "an expression of affirmative excitement and joy, usually as a reply to good news". With this in mind, Ulrike Jurklies (studio mo man tai) created the Ba Hoe installation to offer the visitor a moment of visual pleasure and joy. It worked for us!
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 11 of 79

Cartoni Design With the statement "Circular is the new standard" the Cartoni Design label brings together sustainable alternatives by designers and suppliers for interior design.
Fairf is a young paint brand that focusses on a positive, colorful and sustainable society through sustainable product design (e.g. solvent-free paints) and business model (e.g. solar powered production). Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 13 of 79

Cartoni Design With the statement "Circular is the new standard" the Cartoni Design label brings together sustainable alternatives by designers and suppliers for interior design.
The exhibition demonstrates reuse of cellulose materials in various ways such as this piece made of (used) toilet paper. Photo by Paula Raché 15 of 79

AREA 51 Skatepark This year, we discover at least three new exhibitions located at the skatepark. The local skaters and bikers offer a great show for the audience.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 16 of 79

Rotor 3D In the basement of the AREA 51 Skatepark we discover the work of the Berlin based BJM Studio who installed an interactive light sculpture in this historical locker room.
Photo by Paula Raché 17 of 79

Embassy of Health At the former Philips power plant (now "Innovation Powerhouse"), we visit the Embassy of Health, co-created by various design studios.
Photo by Paula Raché 18 of 79

Embassy of Health This artificial womb is demonstrated as an example ongoing research on finding ways to support (extremely) premature born babies.
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Embassy of Health Wiebe Audenaerd presents a machine to make the dilemmas, which innovators are facing, more tangible. Would you trust the judgement of a robot carrying out open heart surgery? Or would you prefer having a human surgeon at your bedside? The installation both demonstrates and questions the freedom of the designer/innovator in creating the world of tomorrow.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 20 of 79

Piet Hein Eek Walking through the "little street of Piet Hein Eek" (Straatje van Piet Hein Eek) we visit the workspace of this recognized Dutch designer who is well known for his furniture made of reused (scrap) wood.
Photo by Paula Raché 22 of 79

Piet Hein Eek Piet Hein Eek demonstrates glass blown vases where wooden beams are reused as (modular) molds for glassblowers. The growth rings of the wood are transferred into the glassworks.
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Piet Hein Eek The so called "inside-out tree" making the best of four quarters of wood.
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Social Label Social label presents its latest collection. The Social Label is not just another brand, but a new approach in supporting people with a distance to the labor market. Petra Janssen explains how they do this (in a successful way) by bringing together designers, companies, healthcare and governmental organizations to open up new job possibilities for all - in short, creating "socio economics".
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Mechanical Ceramics Dutch designer Floris Wubben presents his latest ceramic works made with self-developed extrusion machines. These colorful, glazed furniture pieces are blending the boundaries between ceramic sculptures and furniture design.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 27 of 79

Halloween At several sites in Eindhoven special bicycle rentals allow the Dutch Design Week visitors to move freely. The rental signage seems to go hand in hand with the upcoming Halloween night.
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Take Away Unlike last year's collection of designer inspirations, this year was all about "less is more" at Dutch Invertuals. Only few selected items were presented in a single space to start a discussion about "doing more with less" in a consumption oriented society. Even this year's goody bags were reduced to a single (most wanted) piece.
Photo by Paula Raché 30 of 79

Warehouse of Innovation In the city centre a former department store is filled with innovative projects (instead of consumer goods). The young fashion designers (aka "Modebelofte") seem to want more autonomy, imagination and experimentation.
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Warehouse of Innovation White blowup spaces are holding this year's fashion works.
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Warehouse of Innovation Fashion designer Savanah Avery presents her Motherwomb collection which is completely plant based (banana fibers included). The fur imitating fabrics are hand woven and hand dyed, paying homage to the traditional craftsmanship of the nomadic tribes of the Sahara.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 35 of 79

Warehouse of Innovation Studio PMS is exploring what fashion design could become in a fully digitized world. Their (provocative) concept is to avoid physical manufacturing by redefining tactility with the help of 3D photography, animation and virtual reality. Their concept was nominated for the "Toekomstbouwers" (future builders) program, a national television show awarding the best (future) design project.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 36 of 79

Warehouse of Innovation Infento is a modular system that allows you to build mobile allows you to build almost everything that is called mobility. Accordingly, this life-size Lego should turn families "from consumers into makers" and helps them in getting some technical skills. What is for sure, the kids (and their proud parents) don't mind the fact that this ex-warehouse is now a racetrack.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 37 of 79

Sectie C Every year, the workspaces of Sectie C are cleaned up and well organized to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors during the Dutch Design Week.
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Niels Hoebers Niels Hoeben is one of our favorite animators. At Sectie C he presents some of his miniatures from last year's "Big stop animation improvisation show". For this year's Dutch Design Week he created a wonderful call for entries – see for yourself (video).
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 40 of 79

Foundation We Are "We Are Human Rights" is the first venture of Foundation We Are exhibiting a range of design proposals that investigates collaboration in the field of human rights.
"Afterimage" is a film by Jella Lena van Eck and Lucia (Mexico) raising awareness and empathy for the victims of enforced disappearances. The movie is made in such a way that it can tell stories of the victims indirectly through what they have left behind. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 41 of 79

Foundation We Are "We Are Human Rights" is the first venture of Foundation We Are exhibiting a range of design proposals that investigates collaboration in the field of human rights.
"How I became an ally, from not giving a shit" is a platform for allies by Daeun Lim and Francis (Kenya). Grassroots Activists often lack financial or institutional support. The design proposal starts with a designed visual identity to empower them as a group.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 43 of 79

Young Alumni (YA) The Young Alumni club (YA) is a year-long program by the Dutch Design Organization (BNO) to kickstart the career of young design graduates in the Netherlands. During the Dutch Design Week the latest alumni created a colorful day/night program with presentations and inspiring talks at the Sectie C area.
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Motel Win-Win At the Temporary Art Center (TAC) we find a temporary motel which transforms from a sleeping room at nighttime into a presentation space during daytime. The platform allows visitors to find accommodation during the Dutch Design Week, sharing their skills instead of providing a financial payment, a win-win situation.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 45 of 79

Catch of the Day We are happy to see Icelander Björn Steinar Blumenstein again bringing his "Catch of the Day" project (Iceland Design Week 2018) to the next level. His creative way of fighting food waste is being heard in Eindhoven and even reaches national television. Unfortunately, food waste is anything but local.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 46 of 79

Embassy of Circularity At the Embassy of Circularity, the Dutch Design Week is showcasing the power of circular design with some 35 exhibitors.
The "House 4 House" project is a construction kit for children that is based on Cradle to Cradle certified materials. The profit gathered with the toy sales are turned into micro loans for social housing worldwide. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 47 of 79

Embassy of Circularity At the Embassy of Circularity, the Dutch Design Week is showcasing the power of circular design with some 35 exhibitors.
Huis Veendam is a developer of bio-laminates based on natural local fibers and starch. A good example is this flooring element developed with Atelier LUMA, made of crushed mussel shells.
Photo by Paula Raché 48 of 79

O2 Global Network
Members of the O2 Global Network use the opportunity of this year's Dutch Design Week to celebrate their 30 year anniversary. Members from all over the world (Photo: Wendy Brawer from NYC) are gathered at the Embassy of Circularity to share project experiences online and plan the next steps for this unique sustainability network. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 49 of 79

O2 Global Network
At the Embassy of Circularity, the Dutch Design Week is showcasing the power of circular design with some 35 exhibitors.
Members of the O2 Global Network use the opportunity of this year's Dutch Design Week to celebrate their 30 year anniversary. Members from all over the world (Photo: Cindy Kohtala from Finland) are gathered at the Embassy of Circularity to share project experiences online and plan the next steps for this unique sustainability network. Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 50 of 79

MX3D Bridge The robotic additive manufacturing company MX3D (and its four industrial robots) created a fully functional stainless steel bridge in six months time. The 12 meter long bridge is designed by the Joris Laarman Lab and will be installed in Amsterdam. During the Dutch Design Week the bridge is installed for testing purpose enabling the visitors in Eindhoven an exciting preview or better pre-walk.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 51 of 79

335,000 This year, the Dutch Design Week presented work and concepts from more than 2,600 designers to more than 335,000 visitors from home and abroad. Keeping a clear overview of the growing event is a challenge for both the visitors and the organization.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 53 of 79

Envisions
The Envisions collective present the second chapter of their collaboration with Finsa, a Spanish wood manufacturer. With manufacturing hacks and color studies they present the possibilities of their wood based materials. This year's presentation includes a mirror cabinet and dinner experiences.
Photo by Paula Raché 54 of 79

Home Smart Home What is the influence of smart digital systems on our personal lives? With three speculative movies called MAYA, RITA and ALEX we get an interesting look into the past, present and future of smart home. Definitely one of our favorite exhibitions: Watch the movies (subtitled) for yourself at the VPRO Medialab.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 57 of 79

Alibaba. From here to your home. The first part of a newly started design research initiative (called GEO-DESIGN) is an exhibition presented at the Van Abbemuseum which takes a closer look at the world's largest shopping mall called Alibaba. This enormous network of logistics is linking cities, ports and factory villages around the world. Its inescapable influence on every stage of the design process today.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 61 of 79

Alibaba. From here to your home. The first part of a newly started design research initiative (called GEO-DESIGN) is an exhibition presented at the Van Abbemuseum which takes a closer look at the world's largest shopping mall called Alibaba. Two Chinese vloggers were invited to demonstrate their practice of internet commerce. Here we see the leftovers of Erbi Chen's live stream tasting Dutch snacks. Erbi is a Chinese vlogger with over 2.5 million subscribers in China.

Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 66 of 79

Alibaba. From here to your home. The first part of a newly started design research initiative (called GEO-DESIGN) is an exhibition presented at the Van Abbemuseum which takes a closer look at the world's largest shopping mall called Alibaba. Two Chinese vloggers were invited to demonstrate their practice of internet commerce. Here we see a few videos of Erbi Chen is a Chinese vlogger with over 2.5 million subscribers in China.

Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 67 of 79

NUFFAR At the exhibition spaces of the Kazerne restaurant we enjoy NUFFAR, a collection of kinetic artworks designed by Siba Sahabi that turns soundscapes into analogue patterns.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 68 of 79

Meadow Meadow is an upside down landscape, the kinetic sculpture consists of mechanical flowers that open and close in a poetic choreography. The installation is installed at the Kazerne restaurant by Studio Drift.
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Jelle Mastenbroek This is one of Jelle Mastenbroek's best cabinets. This one is offering a musical experience by inserting a 20 cent's coin. On its way down the coin brings the porcelain to life and in the end returns to its owner.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 71 of 79

SOFTWEAR With SOFTWEAR Lidewij Edelkoort (a renown Dutch trend forecaster) demonstrates how new hardware products by Google seamlessly integrate into our daily lives. Dutch designer Kiki van Eijk completed the exhibition by translating small fabric-based collages into large tapestries.
Photo by Paula Raché 72 of 79

Precious Plastic: Next Level Dave Hakkens initiative goes to the next level with a great factory site in the heart of Eindhoven. With the co-creators (Taller Esferica) from Barcelona we experience the amazing sunglasses made with a next-generation injection molder. Further impressive pieces made of recycled plastics are on display (and for sale) at the bazar.
Photo by Aart van Bezooijen 76 of 79

Dutch Design Week is the largest design event in Northern Europe and presents work and concepts from more than 2,600 designers to more than 335,000 visitors from home and abroad.

This year's event took place from 20–28 October 2018 with the annual theme "If not us, then who?" the Dutch Design Week is addressing its role and responsibility of design(ers) in creating our future world.

We covered the main exhibitions from all over town in this gallery including material experiments, a few installations and product concepts. We'll follow up with a closer look on three major exhibitions.

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Aart van Bezooijen

Aart van Bezooijen is a Dutch optimist and motivator for materials in design. He lives and works in Hamburg where he founded Material Stories (2005) to inspire and enable the best use of materials to make design more competitive, creative and sustainable.

2011 he explored sustainable solutions from around the world during the "It's Not Easy Being Green" project with graphic designer Paula Raché. He co-organized the Materials Café exhibitions at the Hannover Messe in Germany, the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology. Since 2012, he works as Professor for Material and Technology Transfer at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle growing a new materials library.