A taste of Dutch design
Date: 2004
Commissioned by: Jongeriuslab
Type: Limited edition
In many ways, Dutch Design displays all the traits that are supposedly typical of the Dutch, with their complex national character. The Dutch reconcile the tenaciousness of a people who reclaimed their land from the unwilling sea, with their liberal tolerance towards other cultures and lifestyles. They combine Calvinistic severity with enterprising spirit, sobriety with ambition.
If only it can be justified, almost anything is possible in this small country. This mentality has also influenced Dutch designers. They have a worldwide reputation for singular designs, but they can account for every detail. If it’s not the function, then it’s the innovative technique or the forcefulness of the underlying concept.
Look closely at every bar of chocolate and you’ll see a splendid example of functionality (Aart Roelandt’s reclining bicycle, 1983) or a clever marriage of function and technique (DAF’s automobile, 1958; Diederik Hol’s klapskate, 1996). Or an idea based on the simplest materials (the Rietveld chair, Gerrit Rietveld, 1918-1920; Tejo Remy’s chest of stacked drawers, 1991; Marcel Wanders’ knotted chair, 1996; Hella Jongerius’ Delfts B-jug, 2001). Hella Jongerius herself selected these seven icons from Dutch design history, but she could have easily added another dozen or two. Unfortunately, there’s no good justification for eating that much chocolate.