By Jeanne Tan / 27-08-2009

Tangible Traces. Dutch Architecture and Design in the making. How do architecture and design take on meaning in a world that has become uniform as a result of globalisation, standardisation and commercialisation?

The fairly recent revival of craft is not a coincidence in this day and age. In a time where mail is received and sent into a big black cyberhole, money is invisible and commercial food doesn't resemble anything you'd want to put into your mouth, it's not surprising that the return of old fashioned values is a way for people to ground themselves while swimming in a sea of intangibility.

The book 'Tangible Traces. Dutch Architecture and Design in the making' examines in detail, the work of five designers who have evolved their own ways of dealing with how intangible things have become. Craftsmanship, quality, tradition and context are the links between the work of spatial designer Frank Havermans, industrial designer Hella Jongerius, textile designer Claudy Jongstra, the architecture office Onix and fashion designer Alexander van Slobbe.

Each chapter illustrates the thinking of the designer in a different way that best suits their work. Frank Havermans' hands-on approach can be seen in his detailed maquettes which are transformed into spatial installations meticulously crafted from inexpensive construction wood. Readers get a glimpse into Hella Jongerius' mind through a series of conversations, excerpts and notes that delve into craft techniques, mass production, archives and material experimentation. An encyclopedia of felt opens the chapter on Claudy Jongstra from the breeds of sheep, to the types of natural dyes used to the colour swatches. And lastly, it's the details that play an integral part in the work of Alexander van Slobbe, shown by close up photographs of the craftsmanship in his designs. While it's easy to associate nostalgia with the work of these designers, it's more an obsessive dedication to their craft and an obvious reaction to the present speed of the design industry and consumerism of society that drives their approach.

This book is part of the exhibition 'Tangible Traces' - designed by Jurgen Bey - which was initially submitted by the Netherlands Architecture Institute for the Seventh Sao Paulo Biennale of Architecture in 2007 and has since travelled to Austria, Hong Kong and Indonesia. The Tangible Traces exhibition will take place from the 4 December 2009 until 28 February 2010, at the Museum of Modern Art in Arnhem.

Tangible Traces. Dutch Architecture and Design in the making
Linda Vlassenrood (ed.)
With contributions by: Frank Havermans, Hella Jongerius, Claudy Jongstra, Onix, Alexander van Slobbe, Texts: Mirjam van der Linden, Louise Schouwenberg, Joost Grootens, Roemer van Toorn
Design: Hansje van Halem, Paperback, sewn, Illustrated (colour), 248 pages, Size: 15 x 21 cm
English edition / ISBN 978-90-5662-328-9, € 30.00
NAi Publishers, in association with Netherlands Architecture Institute

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