Ventura New York- the Dutch edition

Welcome to Ventura New York – the Dutch edition! Ventura Projects curates exhibitions and exhibition areas that present the latest developments at the forefront of contemporary design. With a keen eye for emerging talent, Ventura New York – the Dutch edition aims to offer a new generation of Dutch designers access to the American market.

The exhibition at WantedDesign Manhattan will show what Dutch design looks like in 2016: rooted in a rich cultural history, authentic to the core and responsive to an ever changing world. The exhibition will feature three themes: cultural inheritance in design, the unconventional use of novel technologies and the design process as a final product – a range of subjects marking the current Dutch design landscape. The curated projects offer thoroughly developed, market ready products are juxtaposed with experimental or conceptual research in material and shape. Ventura Projects believes this is the time for a reinvention of Dutch design, a new era in which Dutch designers will once again concur the world. With their extraordinary approaches and unique take on design, this fresh group of designers is bound to surprise you.

This program  supported by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York as part of the Dutch Culture USA program, Creative Industries Fund NL and Organisation in Design. venturaprojects.com

Carina Wagenaar

Carina Wagenaar uses every day elements to uniquely combine and visualize new exciting stories to tell. Wagenaar creates life-size medallions as wall objects that attract te viewer with its storytelling symbolism. Expressions of feelings, thoughts, spirituality and actuality are translated into these objects. The works challenge the observer to pay extra attention to even the smallest detail.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition Wagenaar will showcase her latest medallion designs, capturing life experiences in behavioral patterns. Within these extra large wall jewels, she integrates every day elements into new, inspiring arrangements. By doing so, the designs invite the observer to a moment of reflection. carinawagenaar.nl

Daniel De Bruin

Daniel de Bruin has a fascination for production processes and natural phenomena. In his work these two fascinations come together in his products by maintaining a delicate balance between control and chance. De Bruin finds that more and more products are being fashioned by means of an automated process, due to efficiency and quality control. These processes leave little space for serendipity – which is exactly what he searched for in his work.

In Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, De Bruin shows the worlds first analof 3D printer called ‘This New Technology’. 3D printing allows products to be created more swiftly and mechanical, yet De Bruin misses the aesthetic quality of handmade, artisanal objects. By designing a relatively old-fashioned contraption that produces almost primitive pottery, De Bruin merges best of both worlds. The machine is powered by gravity and weights, allowing the designer to be directly involved in the printing process. danieldebruin.com

Envisions

Envisions is a collective effort of Adrianus Kundert, Jeroen van de Gruiter, Iwan Pol, Sanne Schuurman, Simone Post, Studio Plott, Studio Truly Truly, Tijs Gilde, Bastiaan de Nennie. This group of young designers made a showcase of their research for new products. Showing everything but the final work, the collection of objects offers new insight to different fases that would normally stay hidden. By revealing the steps of the extensive research process that precedes a designs final outcome, Envisions breathes life into initial concepts, allows for unexpected developments in the making process and pushes ideas towards realization. The setup is intended to trigger a dialogue between designers, clients and manufacturers and hopes to establish new forms of collaboration. envisions.nl

HandMade Industrials

Handmade Industrials are Dutch designers Rutger de Regt and Marlies van Putten. Their studio focusses on challenging the production process. By contradicting industrial standards by removing the aim of vast quantities, de Regt and van Putten make unique objects that play with the contrast between industry and craft.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, Handmade Industrials will present the ‘Make & Mold  RYB Collection’ – a series of unique hand sculpted vessels and vases, made with a flexible mold and bio-degradable polymers. Their instant, craft-like production technique creates wonky and colorful objects. By using various blends of red, yellow and blue pigments, powerful patterns and fades come to life. The research and experiments of this project created a unique language in form and shape, that tells the distinct story of Handmade Industrials. handmadeindustrials.com

Hongjie Yang

Hongjie Yang is in search of new aesthetic possibilities for man-made surroundings. In his practice, new aesthetic references are often derived from in-depth research of promising scenarios that emerge, which range from cultural phenomena to the latest technological possibilities. His aim is to extract the unique quality of materiality hidden in those subjects and seek for thoughtful translations and aesthetic interpretations.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, Yang presents a cutting edge project using biotechnology. In ‘The Primitive Collection’ Yang researches the notion of luxury. Rooted in the idea of rarity, the notion of luxury traces back to the dawn of civilization, from a fascination toward objects made from laborious process or valuable materials. The biotechnology is now morphing our conventional understanding of material culture and production processes. It is offering craftsman a new context to operate. After creating a vase made with a mono layer of human kidney cells in the lab, The Primitive Collection was intended to further search for the aesthetic potential of lab grown human material in luxury object design. hongjieyang.nl

Hozan Zangana

Born and raised in Kirkuk in the north of Iraq, Hozan Zangana was mesmerized from a very early age by the original 7th century Kufic script. With its heavy calligraphy full of voluptuous curves and fat strands like charmed snakes, they almost seem small sculptures or silent shadows of ancient Mesopotamian and Persian statues.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, Zangana shows his work ‘Shaping from Intuition’, in which he researches into shapes of the Kufic script and discovers how the history of the region is told through the hands of the old calligraphy masters. The work can be seen as an exploration of the relation between this monumental writing style and the rise of a religion that prohibits the making of images and sculptures, a religion that has come to destroy so many art treasures. As Zangana reduces age-old cultures to two-dimensional decorative patterns, the original volume that is so important to the Kufic calligraphy disappears over time and leaves the script slimmed down to mere lines. hozanzangana.com

Rogier Arents & Bin Yu

Rogier Arents is fascinated by science, the transfer of knowledge and the meaning of the image within scientific disciplines. He developed a variety of projects where scientific knowledge was translated into a more accessible visual language.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, Arents will show a project called ‘Heart Calligraphy’, a collaboration with biomedical engineer Bin Yu. As a Chinese calligrapher believes that the mind leads the brush, his goal is to vividly and honestly convey his mind to paper. Inspired by this philosophy, Arents and Yu researched how biodata can be translated into a sensitive visual language in order to enhance self-awareness. this resulted in a biofeedback installation  in which the heart leads the brush. Participants explore the physical, cognitive and emotional influences on their physiology, and the resulting prints are abstract portraits depicting the subconscious processes of the human body. rogierarents.com & ibinyu.com

Siba Sahabi

Siba Sahabi shows how cultures can influence one another and how this exchange can lead to new expressions. Her focus lies in the shared history of Europe and the Middle East. Sahabi translates cultural heritage into contemporary design though an interpretation of both historical forms and concepts. These concept take shape in a wide range of centre pieces for the interior- from vases and lamps to room dividers. Through the experimental application of different materials, such as paper, felt and resin, Sahabi plays with the perception of surfaces and structures.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, a cross section of her work will be exhibited. For instance ’Mudéjar’, inspired by the Moorish architecture of the 12-17th century in Southern Spain, resulting in a room divider. Or ‘Between Two Rivers’ named after the ancient Greek translation of the term Mesopotamia – which was the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of the pottery wheel – shows a series of sculptural vessels made of felt. sibasahabi.com

Simone Post & LABEL/BREED

With a clear interest in textile design, Post has evolved a passion for material adaption and technique. Her designs evolve around experimentation, material research and a fascination for production processes. She aims to collaborate with businesses on different levels to explore the boundaries of the industry.

On show at Ventura New York – the Dutch edition is her graduation work ‘Post-Vlisco’. Vlisco is a leading producer of batik-printed fabrics for the African market. To ensure its leading position in a niche market, Vlisco removes any material from the production line that fails to meet their standards of the highest quality. Using folding and cutting techniques, Post created patterned rugs inspired by the big rolls of textile in the factory. With endless possible colour combinations, a unique product is created with every rug. This way, what was once waste, now holds value. Together with the Dutch company LABEL/BREED an efficient production method is being set up for these carpets. In addition, her entire process is carefully documented in a book, fully made and published by Post herself. simonepost.nl

Studio Jeroen Wand

Studio Jeroen Wand modifies and alters traditional combinations of materials and techniques. As a production method is directly influences the form and function of the product, these are not just means to an end. The work is a result of bold experiments and continuos research. Within this process an aesthetic emerges that allows for an infinite and colorful play.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, Jeroen Wand will present two projects. ‘Phases’ shows multi layered vessels that come to life by immersing them in different mixtures of liquid plaster. The initial vessel keeps its clean design, whilst the outer layers become rough and irregular. Through the contradiction of keeping control and letting the plaster react freely, the material shows its autonomous qualities and capabilities. ‘Paper Chair’ shows a chair that is made of just paper. By pressing multiple layers of paper together in a mold, the material turns strong and solid. Through usage, the chair will slowly tarnish, which enhances its beauty. jeroenwand.nl

Studio Lizan Freijsen

Lizan Freijsen is fascinated by fungi and the fact that people attempt to ban all moulds and moisture, spots form their everyday environment. With her project ‘Maintain A Stain’, photographs of moisture spots caused by leakage were transformed into wallpaper and installed in new houses. By doing so, Freijsen brought the beauty and history of the moulds into the home, changing something that is perceived ugly into something that holds value. Next, Freijsen expanded her collection with traces of stains and decay as carpets and blankets. By using textile as a medium, she is able to bring the detailed beauty of the moulds to a new level.

During Ventura New york – the Dutch edition, three woolen carpets, a lichen blanket and the original photo-archive will be on show. Lizan Freijsen will be present and is looking forward to meet you. lizanfreijsen.com

Studio Rik ten Velden

Studio Rik ten Velden designs with a clear focus on research and experimentation with materials and manufacturing techniques. Ten Velden aims to express the beauty of materials through visible constructions.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition two projects are shown to demonstrate this vision. ‘The Knitted Collection’ was inspired by experimentation with a beautiful knitting machine. A removable woolen shades are applied at elegant steel frames constructed in such a way that it is easy to switch to a different color shade. Second, ‘The Knotted Collection’ originated from a visit to the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam, where Ten Velden received a crash course in knotting techniques from senior craftsman. He knotted for three months straight to perfect his technique. Applied in a chair and a lamp, only a single rope is used to knot on object. The forms reflect the maritime inspiration of ‘The Knotted Collection’. riktenvelden.com

Studio Susanne de Graef

Susanne de Graef is driven by her fantasy and by her will to discover the essence of it all. Starting off on a poetic base, her final designs make a transition through technology. Drawing inspiration from concepts of light, movement and the circle of life, De Graef aims to make a product an experience.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, her illuminating ‘Rhythm Of Light’ project will enchant with its grace. The designs for these lamps are based upon the shape of a cricoline, a 19th century hoop skirt, transforming an historical approach of grace into a modern day product. Having intrigued viewers since it first came to light as a student project, De Graeff developed and produced an evolved version in new color gradients. susannedegraef.nl

Ward Wijnant

Ward Wijnant is fascinated by special proporties of materials and examines these to come to surprising designs. He aims to merge craftsmanship with industrial applications.

At Ventura New York – the Dutch edition, Wijnant will show two projects. ‘Space’ features a curved mirror that functions both as a light as well as a reflection of its surroundings. The light enlarges the reflected area, creating an illusion of extra space whilst dispersing the existing daylight. When switched on, the silver surface becomes translucent and the reflected world disappears. In ‘Twisted’, craft wrestles with industrial strength steel. The furniture is formed by twisting iron bars by hand and bending them into shape. Extraordinary human strength and formidable force are combined in the manufacture. The interplay results in bends and curves that can not be reproduced, producing one of a kind, unique objects. wardwijnant.nl