Earth Matters at TextielMuseum

Earth Matters, curated by Lidewij Edelkoort & Philip Fimmano
10 June 2017 till 26 November 2017

‘Earth Matters’ refers to the worldwide development regarding sustainability and respect for earth’s resources. In the worlds of design, science and business, these aspects are of great importance. By using the four themes, ‘Honouring Origins’, ‘Collecting Ingredients’, ‘Reinventing Materials’ and ‘Sustaining Production’, the exhibition ‘EARTH MATTERS’, gives the visitor a better understanding of a sustainable cycle and the importance of material studies. The exhibition shows experiments – from fashion to design - that contribute to a sustainable making process, either on a small or a large scale. All projects encourage people to think about the source of materials and the creation process, not only through innovation, but even more by the re-evaluation of crafts and locally produced products. The exhibition is curated by Lidewij Edelkoort and Philip Fimmano, together with the
TextielMuseum.

The exhibtion features designers such as: Alix Bizet, Studio Pluis, Tamara Orjola, Formafantasma, Nienke Hoogvliet, Jólan van der Wiel, Sanne Visser, Diana Scherer, Laura Luchtman (Kukka), Ilfa Siebenhaar, Aly de Groot, Fernando & Humberto, Kiki van Eijk, Piet Hein Eek, Marjan van Aubel and many more.

“This young century has brought about a moment of reflection and radical change, making up for a century of ecological abuse, consumption, greed and violence. At this point, we feel the urge to explore alternatives and use natural ingredients, which gives us hope for the future.”

- Lidewij Edelkoort, exhibition co-curator

EARTH MATTERS is an expansive survey of new works, looking at innovative design objects, garments, textiles, yarns and materials. More than 40 international designers, artists and manufacturers transverse the 4 exhibition themes:

HONOURING ORIGINS
The origins of a fibre, the name of the weaver and the face of the artisan each become intrinsic to understanding an object’s identity and soul. Like knowing the source of our food, materials are explored by designers interested in the unique aspects of the animal or plant species. A new generation of designers retrace their roots and research their history, sometimes going back to the beginning of time.

COLLECTING INGREDIENTS
Like foragers looking for food, ecologically-conscious designers hunt and gather organic ingredients, creating a colourful language tinted for today’s greener times. They show us how manufacturing can avoid excessive pollution. Several investigate the properties of individual plants, like contemporary botanists cataloguing their qualities, reconnecting society to nature. Environmentalism is interwoven with sustenance, particularly when it comes to the oceans.

REINVENTING MATERIALS 
Material is the message in today’s design world, with designers looking at both low and high tech ways to reinvent the elements with which they work, all the while staying connected to the Earth. Recomposed from scraps of matter or reinvented with both natural and synthetic ingredients. Recycled and reincarnated, cultured and cultivated, to give new life to texture, fibre and colour.

SUSTAINING PRODUCTION
Designers aim for a more sustainable production process and make us aware of the polluting ways we make textiles today. They seek to use little to no chemicals and water, work as energy-efficient as possible and manufacture locally, often experimenting with recycled or upcycled materials. They also revive cottage industry techniques and return to old looms to establish innovative studios.

http://www.textielmuseum.nl