Syndicated from Design China
Last year, Henny van Nistelrooy’s Craft & Industry, unveiled during Beijing Design Week (BJDW) 2012, caught our eye before the festival had even started. We return to the designer’s studio this year to find out what the Dutch-born creative is presenting for BJDW 2013.
How was your work received during BJDW 2012?
BJDW 2012 was really a jump in deep water for me: I had just moved to China that August, and taking part in the festival was like experiencing a rollercoaster ride. Of course, I did as much research and preparation as I could, but I was really limited in terms of my knowledge about the new context in which I was starting. I only had a month of preparation!
Thinking back, I think this was actually an advantage. Normally with exhibitions, I have a good idea on who to expect and what I want to gain, and I tailor the presentation [of the exhibition] towards this. Last year, however, due to my limited knowledge about my new environment, I concentrated entirely on the concept of the work without thinking too much of what could come out of it. This made the work feel fresh and extremely focused.
And this, I think, made it turn out so well. From day one, there were many visitors (of course, this is all thanks to the organisation of the festival), but what struck me was the diversity of the audience and the genuine interest they took in my work. My concepts communicated easily, and I received many requests about the works. This was shortly followed by a large amount of press. My work even received the ELLE Decoration Award in the month following!
What do you hope to do differently this year?
What I really want to do is to better connect with local manufacturers. Therefore, I’m very pleased to present this year our collaboration with ACF: Home, for whom we designed a collection of upholstered furniture (including a sofa and an armchair) called YiFu. Through this exhibition I want to communicate the fact that we offer design as a service to different clients working in different markets; the exhibition isn’t merely a product presentation of new furniture, but guides the visitor through a richly illustrated process, from inspiration to technical drawings, material selection and prototypes to final model. Compared to last year, my presentation is much larger in scale and will be much more informative.
What other works are you presenting this year, and where are you exhibiting?
Apart from the YiFu collection for ACF: Home, which will be on show at C-Space in Caochangdi, I have a new addition to the Extract collection – a hammock, which will be displayed at the Salon exhibition in Dashilar. This is part of the Amsterdam Guest City program…I am Dutch after all!
Overall, what do you hope to achieve?
I’m much looking forward to hearing the reactions towards the new furniture that we are presenting. It’s the first time that I am working with a manufacturer in fully upholstered furniture, and we are very excited about the direction that it is going. I plan to use BJDW 2013 as an opportunity to invite the people that I have come to know over the past year and show them this collection, as well as to meet new people. I will definitely be present at my show again, and speak to all that come through the door in person!
