New Perspectives

Commissioned by: TextielMuseum

2013, Tilburg, The Netherlands

Collection: TextielMuseum (NL)

The Textielmuseum in Tilburg, the Netherlands, has invited us to browse through their magnificent archives. Ensuing, we have been commissioned to develop new pieces for the museum’s collection, inspired by our findings, using the TextielLab’s computer-controlled embroidery machine.

Our research of the background, applications, similarities and differences between handmade- and machine-embroidery has been followed by many experiments at the TextielLab. Embroidery on water-soluble background has particularly drawn our attention, as once washed, only the embroidered parts remain, resembling lace-like elements. Stretching the technique’s boundaries allowed us to reach results linking between the past and the present.

The traditional, richly laid dinner table and the festive feeling that it evokes became our starting point. Motifs such as artichokes, fruits, fish and shellfish, originating from the abundant spreads depicted in 17th-century Dutch masters still-lifes, were embroidered onto pristine white table linen.

Instead of the traditional, more realistic illustrations, we have used three-dimensional perspective grid-drawings, which occasionally continue off the textile’s boarders. The white embroidered elements appear to be laying on-, and at the same time, merge into the white fabric.

The series of table-linens consists of a table-cloth, table-runner and placemats, accompanied by napkin-rings with attachable letters, which allow the addition of custom initials, for a more personal touch.

New Perspectives was part of the Turkish Red & More exhibition, featuring works by Studio Formafantasma, Lenneke Langenhuijsen, Merel Boers and Minale Maeda.

With special thanks to:
Frank de Wind, Aline Le Normand, Carmen Ng

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process