detail of the cover of the catalogue– laser cut typeface
Truths
Installation. Ten plaques made of stainless steel, each 250 × 420 mm
Mentor: Prof. Anna Berkenbusch
April–July 2015
For this project were interviewed ca. 30 Berlin design studios every sizes: from small ›1–2 men show‹ till big international enterprises, with the aim of getting a look behind the curtains. Due to our international team the Interviews were made in English.
As we talked I not only took pictures, but also wrote down some concrete statements, 82 in total. I chose 10 of them to build this installation titled ›Truths‹.
These statements are merely personal opinions. They are not meant to be milestones of the design know-how, but what they all definitely are, is true. They try to transmit the lived experience and therefore the truth of each of their authors. All together they express the status quo of the moment.
Therein lies the intended irony of this work: the metal component signals memorialization and implies longevity, it presents them as memorable statements dictated by authorities, as legacies that have to be preserved for the future and for generations to come. Whereas they express momentary points of view.
This installation is meant to engage, incite and inspire the spectators by giving them the possibility of applying their own standards and developing their own opinions towards these ›truths‹.
one of the plaques from the second edition. Statement by Janine Staatmann from ›Bon Bon Büro‹
The installation is accompanied by a catalogue that introduces the persons behind the statements and their context, by presenting a summary of the interviews and photos of the designers and their studios. For its design it was important to me to keep a clear and harmonic connection with the installation: monumental and controversial. It is big and heavy; its cover is made out of stainless steel. While inside the paper is quite thin and soft, and its layout shows the grid behind the design.
catalogue – cover made out of 1 mm stainless steel with laser cut letters of 1,5 mm stainless steel
between both of the endpapers can be read the 82 statements I collected.
sample of interior pages – the end image compositions were refinished in order to give them a rusty appearance. In the photo: Hendrik Schwantes from ›Heimann und Schwantes‹
sample of interior pages – the grid behind the design is shown. Studio: Heimann und Schwantes
sample of interior pages – in the photo: Bruno Bakalovic from ›PlexGroup‹
sample of interior pages – in the photo: Steffen Schumann from ›anschlaege.de‹
sample of interior pages – studio: ›anschlaege.de‹
poster for the project
orientation poster for the presentation at the Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle, showing the locations of the plaques in the design campus
photo of the plaque »The design scene nowadays is a nightmare«, statement of Nicolas Bourquin from onlab, at the door of the main building (rektorat) of the Burg Giebichenstein (... still there years later, my legacy at the Burg : )
photo of the plaque »I would like to work more for myself and less for other people«, statement of Malte Kaune from Kaune & Hardwig, at the door of the Fashion Design buolding of the Burg Giebichenstein.
photo of the plaque »I consider myself more a craftworker, like a carpenter«, statement of Martin Wenzel from MartinPlusFonts, at the door of the Industrial Design building of the Burg Giebichenstein.
The catalogue of this project was selected as one of the »100 Best Books of the Burg in 100 Years«.
The project (installation + catalogue) has been several times exhibited, among others at the 1st Design Biennale in Havana 2016.
The project (installation + catalogue) has been several times exhibited, among others at the 1st Design Biennale in Havana 2016.
