Design Museum

Collections

• Posthuman

  explores the Posthuman era, where the lines between humans and technology blur. Designers and artists delve into the moral and technological limits of the body, showcasing how humans are being enhanced, protected, and made more attractive. This modernization process, accelerated by technological advancements, is examined through a lens of both recent history and future speculation. The exhibition features works like Loan Favan's 'ALLIAGE - Cu29Zn30,' a collection of accessories representing a cyborg's superpowers, and Zach Blas' 'Facial Weaponization Suite,' a protest against biometric facial recognition. Bart Hess's films offer futuristic explorations of the human body, while Ana Rajcevic's 'Animal' series questions the boundaries between human and animal. Jun Kamei's 'Amphibio' presents a 3D-printed amphibious garment designed for a future where humans live in close proximity to water. These works challenge our understanding of the human body and its future, prompting reflection on the ethical and technological implications of our evolving relationship with technology.

• West coast ceramics

  This collection focuses on West Coast Ceramics, a movement that emerged in California in the 1960s, revolutionizing the ceramic art world. Spearheaded by artists like Peter Voulkos, this group broke away from traditional craft techniques and embraced innovative forms, materials, and colors. The collection features key figures such as Kenneth Price, known for his vibrant, hand-shaped 'Mounds,' and Adrian Saxe, whose eclectic teapots offer a humorous commentary on cultural history. Ron Nagle's cup sculptures, with their intricate glazes, and Robert Arneson's Pop Art-inspired ceramic works are also highlighted. The collection showcases the movement's impact on blurring the lines between craft and fine art, with ceramics becoming a powerful medium for artistic expression.

• Workout techniek

  This collection highlights how technology plays a crucial role in design, showcasing objects that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also ingeniously functional. It features diverse pieces like Bart Hess's 'Echo,' a digital video performance exploring the human body's transformation, and Natasja Boezem's 'Voice of Blue,' a contemporary take on the traditional locket with a modern twist. Gijs Bakker's prototype coffee maker, though unproduced, exemplifies innovative design thinking, while Susan Cohn's 'Last the blast' necklace combines fashion with practical considerations of safety. Glithero's 'Blueware' vases employ a unique photographic process to create intricate patterns, and Snap Inc.'s 'Spectacles' explore the intersection of technology, social media, and personal expression. Fernando and Humberto Campana's 'Pantografic bracelet' demonstrates how everyday materials can be transformed into luxurious objects, while Kenneth Price's 'B.C. Orange' embodies the boundary-pushing techniques of West Coast Ceramics. Frank Tjepkema's 'Bloom Bloom' broche utilizes cutting-edge technology to create a delicate yet robust floral design. Lastly, Geert Lap's untitled vase exemplifies his dedication to the potter's wheel and his pursuit of ideal forms. These diverse works demonstrate how design can be used to solve problems, connect with people, and simplify life, while showcasing the interplay between technique, technology, and artistic expression.

• Top works

  This collection showcases works by prominent 20th-century artists who, beyond their fame as painters and sculptors, also explored the realms of ceramics and jewelry design. It features artists like Jean Cocteau, known for his line drawings translated into gold jewelry, and Georges Braque, a pioneer of Cubism whose ceramic work reflects a more simplified, classical style. Marc Chagall's whimsical and dreamlike imagery translates seamlessly into his colorful ceramics, while Raoul Dufy's focus on color and form is evident in his ceramic vases. Meret Oppenheim's surrealist approach is present in her jewelry, like the 'Gedeckter Tisch' brooch, and Lucio Fontana's exploration of space is manifested in his ceramic 'Concetto Spaziale' pieces. Man Ray's playful and poetic sensibility is captured in his jewelry designs, including the 'Le trou' ring, while Pablo Picasso's fascination with form and myth is evident in his ceramic works, such as the 'Canard pique-fleurs.' Maurice de Vlaminck's Fauvist style translates into vibrant ceramic plates, and Alexander Calder's signature use of line and form is showcased in his jewelry, like the spiral silver brooch. This collection highlights the diverse talents of these artists and offers a glimpse into a less-explored facet of their creative output.