First Beijing International Design Triennial

Text from Klaas Kuiken:

During Beijing there's an other design event that rocks the boat in Beijing. At this first edition of the Beijing International Design Triennial, the Bottles Collection by Arnhem based designer Klaas Kuiken is on show. The vases are part of Good Guys sub theme.

No.4 Sub-Theme Exhibition: GOOD GUYS

Curatorial team:

• Barbara Holzer Swiss Architect, Curator, Professor at the Peter Behrens School of Architecture, Partner of Holzer Kobler Architekturen

• Tristan Kobler Swiss Architect, Curator, Professor at University of art and design Lausanne, Partner of Holzer Kobler Architekturen

• Martin Heller (Consultant) Swiss Curator, Critic, Former Director of the Zurich Design Museum

• Li Degeng Chinese Designer, Curator, Art Director of the magazines Design Management, FRAME and MARK Chinese version, Academic Director of Design House of Today Art Museum

Interpretation of the Theme:

Society is developing increasingly fast in parallel with the expansion of globalization. It is a real trend that overwhelms whatever one likes or dislikes. The intricacies of a chosen lifestyle are filled with conflicts, overlaps, mixes and hybrids. Forcefully as the current goes on, the old integrity is being shattered, and the pieces reorganized into shapes that frame new meanings and values. Indeed, the reality of today is in itself a hybridized one.

“Good Guys” foregrounds contemporary designers concerned with finding new ways to create objects that deal with ostensibly complex social issues filled with both compatibilities and contradictions. With these we make clear to the public that regionalization and globalization are not in a binary opposition; that modern manufacturing is not necessarily a replacement of traditional artisan craftsmanship; and that the unspoken words which underline the future do not leave out the past. It is the mutual responsibility of designers and consumers to seek sustainable, fair trade, recycled and individualized products.

The exhibition takes into account many design categories. The showpieces, in the form of objects, models and installations, create a comprehensive visualization for the public to see what sparks world-class design-minds and what leads to their special attitudes toward life. Anyway, without Good Designers, the so-called Good Guys, Good Design will not be achieved.

Bottles Collection
Serie of 3 of vases, which are the direct result of the Bottles research and part of the Bottles Collection. Individually made and designed of mass-produced glass bottles, every item is different from one another, even when the model type is the same. 

The vases are exhibited at Beijing International Design Triennial from 28 sept. till 17 oct. at the Beijing National Museum.

About Klaas Kuiken

In 2010 Klaas Kuiken graduated from ArtEZ School of Arts in Arnhem (NL). 

In his workproces Klaas is more an inventor and craftsman than a designer, this gives him a different, new look on material, technique and productionproces.

It brings him endless possibility, this, in combination with his designing qualities, makes him a innovative designer, which shows in his products.

On a frequent base Klaas is working in collaboration with initiators, 
fellow-designers and factories which use interesting productionmethods.

Via: KlaasKuiken.nl