Dutch Design Week 2024 / Saturday 19 – Sunday 27.10.24 | Exhibition Open Daily 11:00 – 19:00 | Opening Event Sunday 20.10.24 at 16:00
The Best Kept Spoilers’ SHOW NOT SHOW at Dutch Design Week
SHOW NOT SHOW lets you enter the universe of makers.
Makers who not only want to show the end result, but also take you into the making process. No show, or at least. A showcase from idea to outcome that makes the tension between seeing and experiencing even more attractive.
SHOW NOT SHOW is a group exhibition by six designers under the name The Best Kept Spoilers: Lucas Zito, Pepijn Fabius Clovis, Aad Bos (Mokko), Studio Luuk van Laarhoven, Frank Penders and Marc Meeuwissen (Dear Objects). On display will be mainly functional and autonomous objects.
Visit Dutch Design Week from 19 to 27 October in De Kruisruimte, a unique must-see location only a 15-minute walk from Sectie-C (Eindhoven). Join our opening event this Sunday 20th at 16:00!
Now check out select previews of the upcoming exhibition:
MARC MEEUWISSEN (DEAR OBJECTS) is a designer/ artist who works in Antwerp (Belgium) and Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands). After his study at the Academy of Art and Design, St. Joost, Breda (NL), he founded a design studio for graphic and 3-dimensional design under the current name No-But. Since 2019, he has been creating functional and autonomous objects in small editions under the name Dear Objects.
Brutalist architecture, typography and archetypes are an important source of inspiration in his work. ‘The brutal idea’ of creating a functional object from one material and one tool is the limitation that the designer imposes on himself. This challenge leads to an unorthodox way of working, resulting in a unique visual language – alienating and poetic.
On display at Show Not Show: the series BRUTALISTA and MAKE AND BREAK.
In the ‘BRUTALISTA’ series, the designer takes over the tools of the craftsman, more specifically the handsaw. One sheet of wood material and the availability of only one handsaw is ‘the brutal idea’ behind this project – One Sheet. One Saw. One Object.
The sets of objects in the brand new ‘MAKE AND BREAK’ series are cut from cement-bonded fiberboard. The set is joined together as one object – MAKE – and then separated by manually breaking them apart – BREAK.
Select objects are courtesy of Form Editions and some pieces have been finished at the atelier of Pepijn Fabius Clovis.
At SHOW NOT SHOW, Frank Penders unveils a series of bold new designs that push the boundaries of form and function. One of these, “StepSlide,” is the result of his collaboration with Jasper Last from Aloi Design.
StepSlide is a unique standalone staircase with an integrated slide, celebrating their partnership. In addition to this collaboration, they are also celebrating winning the prestigious National Steel Award on October 15th for their exceptional design and execution of two staircases in Ibiza—a testament to their forward-thinking approach to modern architecture.
Penders’ work extends beyond staircases into a broader exploration of furniture and object design. With his roots in photography, he brings a unique perspective on composition, translating two-dimensional visual principles into dynamic three-dimensional forms. His process is deceptively simple yet powerful: he often works with a single sheet of steel, cutting and bending it until it transforms into a sculptural, functional object. The interplay of positive and negative space, so central to photography, is seamlessly integrated into his designs, where empty space becomes as significant as the form itself.
This relationship between elements is evident in his latest creation, the ONE Rise chair—a minimalist masterpiece shaped from one continuous piece of bent steel. It’s a study in balance, precision, and the beauty of restraint.
Finally there also will be objects courtesy of Form Editions .
STUDIO LUUK VAN LAARHOVEN was founded in 2016 to explore the boundaries of natural processes and materials. With a focus on the transformative potential of metal, the studio employs techniques such as heat treatment to create contemporary objects.
Recognized by galleries for its distinct approach to material and form, the studio’s work features a unique surface application that distinguishes their designs. In addition to gallery pieces, the studio undertakes commissioned projects, crafting bespoke creations for clients. Luuk van Laarhoven’s work has been exhibited at prominent venues such as PAD, Salone del Mobile, Dutch Design Week, and the Lithuanian National Museum of Art. Founded by Luuk van Laarhoven after graduating from The Design Academy Eindhoven, the studio blends innovative methods with a deep appreciation for natural phenomena, continuing to produce distinctive designs and expand collaborations worldwide.
On display at Show Not Show: Chromatic Flame: a new extension of The Burned Collection.
The Burned Collection: Chromatic Flame showcases metal objects transformed by the natural power of heat. Through meticulous experimentation on various metal surfaces, preparation techniques, and environmental conditions—both mechanically and by hand—this collection highlights the intricate interplay of oxidation and color.
When metal is heated, it undergoes a natural oxidation process that reveals a spectrum of hues, shaped by the type of metal and differences in temperature. As the temperature changes more dramatically, a wider variety of colors is produced.
Drawing on a technique, The Burned Collection: Chromatic Flame emphasizes the distinct and captivating results of each all-natural heating process, showcasing a modern interpretation of this time-honored method.
MOKKO represents a collection of interior objects designed by founder Aad Bos. The Amsterdam-based studio was established in 2017 and creates custom products for interior professionals and design enthusiasts internationally.
Objects by Mokko feature a rhythm of monolithic form, created through an iteration of volumes and voids. Architectural elements are balanced, weighed and stripped from excess, until the essence of the inspiration is translated into a sculptural object that is emotionally resonant.
With respect for nature and robust furniture building, each piece is made in close collaboration with local carpenters in the Netherlands from high-quality, sustainable materials. All objects are custom-made and conceived as future heirlooms; intended to be valued, used and passed down through generations.
On display at Show Not Show: Acer Dining Sofa, Acer Round Table, Acer Candle Holders, Cadence Table, Cadence Bench, Trigon Chair, Galea Bibliothèque and Fenestra Console.
PEPIJN FABIUS CLOVIS is a Dutch artist and designer born in 1995. He is known for his playful and functional designs, often made from recycled materials. Clovis studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven, where he graduated in 2021. By then he had already founded his own studio one year before, Studio Fabius Clovis, in Eindhoven.
Clovis’ work is inspired by everyday objects and (waste)materials, which he transforms into unique and unexpected pieces. He is particularly interested in exploring the boundaries between art and design, and creating objects that are both beautiful and functional. Clovis’ work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.
Practice is a philosophy rooted in the belief that the most profound beauty can be found in the ordinary. By focusing on the process and highlighting the steps involved in everyday crafts, we aim to elevate the mundane to the extraordinary.
Practice aims to challenge traditional notions of art and design by demonstrating that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. Our work will be characterized by its simplicity, authenticity, and appreciation for the everyday.
Practice Makes Beauty: The Art of Everyday Craftsmanship
In a world where the pursuit of perfection often dominates design, *Practice*, an atelier founded by Pepijn Fabius Clovis, takes a refreshingly different approach. Rooted in the belief that beauty can be found in the simplicity of everyday craftsmanship, Practice celebrates the art of paying close attention to the process itself.
By focusing on ‘easy’ or ‘common’ trades and crafts—those often overlooked or considered routine—Clovis highlights the grace that emerges from normality. Through meticulous observation and a deep appreciation for the steps involved, the atelier reveals moments of unexpected beauty, as if they’ve appeared out of nowhere.
Each collection from Practice will carry a synonymical name, reinforcing this personal conviction and allowing the narrative of intentional craftsmanship to unfold. For Clovis, this is more than a design methodology; it is a philosophy, where beauty is not forced, but gracefully discovered through the rhythm of creation. By emphasizing the process rather than the outcome, Practice invites us to appreciate the artistry hidden in the ordinary, revealing that sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound.
LUCAS ZITO is a designer focusing on lighting, translucency and scale. His particular interest is to make light palpable and dense through the use of transparent materials refracting and diffracting the light.
Graduated from Design Academy in 2019 and established in France since then, Lucas Zito has opened his production factory in the outskirts of Paris, where he works on the particular effects of physical materials such as plastic and untangible bodies such as light.
On display at Show Not Show: Daisy: a series of new light objects.
As the name of the lamp suggests, its curves and composition reminds us of the Daisy flowers. The lamp, entirely realised in recycled PETG, is composed of two pieces: the central body, cylindrical and vertical, and a ring around that radiates outward. The external portion is designed to slide on the central one, giving the freedom of its appearance.
The geometries and irregularities of the surfaces make the light pass through the material unevenly, creating playful shadows and evocative atmospheres. Struck directly by natural light, Daisy exalts at its best its materiality, recalling esthetical qualities that seem to belong to glass. With the fading of natural light, Daisy reveals instead her most romantic side, spreading around a suggestive and charming atmosphere.
The apparent lightness of the lamp hides a very solid and resistant structure. Therefore, it is suitable to be accommodated both indoors and outdoors in its various sizes, with a diameter ranging from 30 cm to 130 cm.
