HBL Exhibitions: Industrious Artefacts

Tuesday 31 May 2011

'Industrious Artefacts: the evolution of crafts' at Zuiderzeemuseum, Netherlands. Photo by Rufus de Vries

'Industrious Artefacts: the evolution of crafts', an exhibition curated by designers Jurgen Bey and Rianne Makkink, opened at Zuiderzeemuseum in the Netherlands last week. Running until 12 February 2012, the show presents the work of a number of designers working today who apply traditional industrial processes to modern design scenarios and methods of manufacture.

'Industrious Artefacts: the evolution of crafts' at Zuiderzeemuseum, Netherlands. Photo by Rufus de Vries

The exhibition compares traditional Dutch manufacture, in particular, to modern interpretations. The locality of the venue also played a strong part in the theme of the show, as the organisers explain. "The Afsluitdijk barrier dam that closed off the Zuiderzee sea in the last century had a tremendous impact on local economy and culture and brought prosperity to the area. The craftsmanship that resulted from it is a precursor to today's industry. These preceding industrial phases may contain solutions that are useful in the issues of today. Through the heritage of the past and the design machines of today, we're casting a quick glance at future solutions."

'Industrious Artefacts: the evolution of crafts' at Zuiderzeemuseum, Netherlands. Photo by Rufus de Vries

Exhibiting designers include Atelier NL, Florian de Visser, Studio FormaFantasma, mischer*traxler, Jetske Visser, Raw Color, Mark Braun, ZIETA Prozessdesign, Will Shannon, Elisa Strozyk, Studio Glithero and Greetje van Helmond.

'Industrious Artefacts: the evolution of crafts' at Zuiderzeemuseum, Netherlands. Photo by Rufus de Vries

Read all of our exhibition previews and reviews here on the blog.

'Industrious Artefacts: the evolution of crafts' at Zuiderzeemuseum, Netherlands. Photo by Rufus de Vries