ONE WEEK ABOUT Masterly – The Dutch in Milano by Nicole Uniquole, founder and curator of Masterly.
I literally love the artisanal production process. The pounding of machines and the flow of ‘making’. It fascinates me immensely. At Masterly, primal Dutch companies with their own factories and production locations present themselves.
Regular participants with their own factories include Frits-Jurgens (bifolding doors), Van Besouw and Monasch by Best Wool (carpets). From the first edition they have been part of Masterly and thus a fixture in the Dutch Pavilion.
These manufacturing companies often create new collections together with good designers. A breath of fresh air, an original perspective on design and an eye for circularity does wonders for product design.
BN International has in this context designer Stefan Scholten enlisted as art director. His first wallpaper collection can be seen at Masterly. Graphic designer Irma Boom captured the company’s DNA in a beautifully designed book. Last Wednesday the first copy was presented in the Grand Courtyard!
But there are more examples. Blok Plaatmateriaal entered into a collaboration with designer Carina Riezebos. MONDiLAB started a brand new textile lab where designers and artists can realize their ideas in textiles. But also steel company the Pillen Group presents a sample of their skills at Masterly. Through Masterly they are looking for (inter)national designers and architects to make furniture and objects with. Through the Masterly network the first series have already been made in the past year!
Get to work!
www.fritsjurgens.com
www.besouw.nl
www.monaschbybestwool.com
www.bninternational.com
www.stefanscholten.com
www.irmaboom.nl
www.carinariezebos.com
www.mondilab.com
www.pillen.eu
