Radio

Our guest Martijn van Strien tells about how he throughout the years shifted focus within the field of fashion. He started from a technical point of view by mainly developing new materials and textiles. He then dived into the state of fashion, questioning how our clothes are produced, presented and consumed. After this more analytical and contextual phase, he went back to making, researches forms, shapes and silhouettes. All these phases were needed to not only develop a relevant, both conceptual and technical, blueprint for himself as a designer, but also as a facilitator for others. His aim is to develop a new, improved, clean, efficient and inclusive fashion system.

In our talk with Harm Rensink and Niek Pulles (HEYNIEK) the scope of their collaborations was depicted. In their joint projects two attitudes and energies come together. Next to being an unorthodox visual researcher Niek is also the dynamic antenna, catching the signs of times. The more analytic Harm creates the scenographic context of these diverse elements and triggers. A perfect example of how two opposite powers together transform diversities into a universe that lifts ups participants as well as the public.

In this episode architect, designer and researcher Arna Mačkić gives an insight in her personal history, coming from Bosnia to the Netherlands as refugee, and how this ‘journey’ influenced her professional development. Architecture and city planning often ignore the history of a specific city or site, or only communicate a certain aspect of it. In her work she wants to raise awareness for the complete story. Therefore she researches hidden or forgotten facts and rituals, and other sociological conditions. By implementing them in her work the history of the specific location becomes a fruitful tool for the future.

Our guest Angelique Spaninks tells about her path from being a journalist towards her curatorial profession. A change of perspective, but it is this combination that makes her stand out. Her plea is co–creation between different disciplines and its fringes. By doing so she matches with the tendencies of contemporary visual arts and culture. She is a strong example of somebody who thinks global and acts local, in which she links Eindhoven to the rest of the world.

Our guest Edwin van Gelder of Mainstudio is known as a graphic designer of books and publications. Yet in our conversation he also expresses his aim to work at a more spatial and monumental scale. He describes his personal trajectory, from graphic designer towards visual author, and how his projects are not formed by question–answer situations; they’re co–creatorships with commissioners. Like a scriptwriter, he develops a language/system, which only later he visually translates.

During our talk with designer Arnout Meijer he explains the significance of perception. Inspired by for instance philosopher Merleau–Ponty he sharpens his ideas and thoughts about illusion as reality. Furthermore he gives an insight of his educational design background, the engineer focused Technical University Delft and the more artistic Design Academy Eindhoven. In his current more autonomous work he combines technology, science and arts on a rational as well as intuitive manner.

In this episode Ola Lanko explains her (non) position as a visual artist and photographer. She speaks about education, as a student herself and being a teacher now, her background in the Ukraine and her inspirations, mainly not from the creative world. With her work Ola would like to make us aware of the importance and danger of image–forming, especially in a moment of time where everybody (for instance with their cell phones) is a co–creator of a directed representation of the world, that is often presented as reality.

The first episode of New Window Radio is the story of someone who fled Iraq and manages to build up a new existence in the Netherlands. Hozan Zangana talks about the vehement experiences from his youth that helped shape his artistic development. Making stilled objects is a way for him to ‘tame the noise’. Furthermore he speaks about how visual censorship in old Iraq led to the emphasis on language. As a product designer his aim is to translate this flat calligraphy towards three dimensional forms and shapes. He also expresses his desire to make the transition from being a designer towards a more autonomous visual artist, working on a monumental scale.