Basic Instincts

Premsela's multidisciplinary exhibition Basic Instincts, in Berlin from 30 June to 31 July 2011, showcased contemporary, directional visions in Dutch fashion culture. The exhibition mapped a range of ideas that originate in fashion but border on and interact with other disciplines. 

(Un-)Dutch

Is it still relevant in 2011 to talk about what’s characteristically Dutch? Certain hallmarks and criteria for fashion in the Netherlands do exist, but distinctive ideas by individuals at the meta level are what make our fashion culture exciting. Basic Instincts, therefore, doesn't attempt to distil an idea of Dutchness from a group of designers or designs. Instead, it highlights views and visions from Dutch fashion culture as they relate to each other and to other spheres – not only because they’re Dutch but most of all because they’re relevant and interesting from an international perspective. The approximately 50 participating designers and artists included Iris van Herpen, Klavers van Engelen, Jo Meesters, BCXSY, Doepel Strijkers Architects and Navid Nuur. 

Multidisciplinary concept, international team 

One thing about Basic Instincts was characteristically Dutch: its multidisciplinary approach. Multidisciplinarity is often taken for granted in The Netherlands, though this way of thinking is also typical in much of northern Europe. The Dutch design climate also encourages crossovers and experimentation, partly thanks to the absence of a strong national fashion tradition, such as that found in France (Marchetti 2009). Basic Instincts’ emphasis on inter- and multidisciplinarity shows how Dutch fashion culture serves as a breeding ground for an open, creative mentality. To gain outside perspective, Premsela enlisted an international creative team to help develop the exhibition: 

creative directors José Klap and Sandor Lubbe, of Zoo Magazine; artistic curators Luca Marchetti and Emanuele Quinz, of Mosign; and Henrik Vibskov, who was responsible for the exhibition design. 

After Berlin, the exhibition will tour a series of countries. At each location, the project will forge links with cultural organisations, designers, artists and architects by means of an innovative communication concept and a range of adjunct activities.

Contact Premsela

For more information on Basic Instincts, please contact Esther Muñoz Grootveld Projectmanager at Premsela, through +31 (0)20 50 40 902 or munoz@premsela.org.