It has been a while since I wrote a blog. I was caught up in daily life. I thought I was self-aware and mindfull, working in this sustainability industry. But it turned out I was still running the ratrace of project- and family-goals like many others. And one day I woke up realising I made a multiple years plan for myself with the idea of being in control, but the universe decided otherwise and turned my life upside down. I needed time to take a breath and reflect on my place in the world. Letting go of the idea that I was in control and trusting the universe again. My creativity, gardening, yoga and walking in nature helped me heal again.
And it took me a while to realise I already found my meaning of life during my art academy time only lost it out of sight along the way. In 2005, my first year at the School of Arts in Utrecht, the teachers asked us to make a prognose of what might be important in 2009, the year we would graduate.
And it took me a while to realise I already found my meaning of life during my art academy time only lost it out of sight along the way. In 2005, my first year at the School of Arts in Utrecht, the teachers asked us to make a prognose of what might be important in 2009, the year we would graduate.
My team in 2005 came up with sustainability, natural materials, slowing down to natures rhythm, eating healthy, having fun and craftsmanship. From that prognose I developed a cress-suit and placed it in toxic environments like the meat-, sugar- and fastfood-industry.
And the year I graduated? 2009...I set up Refinity, a consultancy that helped designers to make eco-effective choices (thinking about the effect on the environment) by brainstorming and sourcing all sorts of flexible materials. Fits pretty well in the prognose don't you think?
After all these years we (the textile sector) have set good steps towards using organic fabrics, recycling and wearing secondhand clothing. It is getting mainstream. Hooray!
Now I think it is time to pay attention to local (natural waste stream) materials, slow down, adjusting to the pace of nature and minimalism. And that inspired me to make " fluffy rocks and growing textiles"
After all these years we (the textile sector) have set good steps towards using organic fabrics, recycling and wearing secondhand clothing. It is getting mainstream. Hooray!
Now I think it is time to pay attention to local (natural waste stream) materials, slow down, adjusting to the pace of nature and minimalism. And that inspired me to make " fluffy rocks and growing textiles"
Can we live in harmony with nature? A more balanced live? The best of both worlds natural and artificial combined in our cultures.
These considerations inspired me to make the work of fluffy rocks and growing textiles. [Click for more photos]
Here is some more inspiration about growing textiles [30 minutes]:
Barcelona's fabricademy experimented with growing grass dress, algae shoes and kombucha textiles in 2020.
- Are we taking the time for living yet speeding up sustainability?
- Can we be soft (feminine) and hard(masculine) at the same time?
- Do we make products that are strong yet do not last eternally but biodegrade?
- Can we source knowledge globally while using materials locally?
- Is adapting a solution to the local needs possible?
These considerations inspired me to make the work of fluffy rocks and growing textiles. [Click for more photos]
Here is some more inspiration about growing textiles [30 minutes]:
Barcelona's fabricademy experimented with growing grass dress, algae shoes and kombucha textiles in 2020.
* I couldn't source back the artists of the shoes and table in my prognose picture from 2005. If you know from who they are let me know, because I always want to do right by the artist who inspired me.
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