SUSTAINABLE, INCLUSIVE AND LOCALER
In collaboration with the craftsmen of the Shoe Quarter, the young but often already successful designers combined existing and new techniques to come up with tantalizing insights and surprising outcomes. These experiments, shown in relation to the museum's current collection, illustrate their views on what a shoe can be: more sustainable, inclusive and local.
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PICKING LOOK AT KNOWN AND NEW
By showing small-scale pairings between familiar and modern techniques, CUTTING EDGES offers a fresh look at a profession that is still deeply intertwined with its history. A view in which space for experimentation and reflection offers new possibilities and stimulating opportunities for the industry, its makers and users. The whole is strongly designed by Envisions. This design collective from Eindhoven signed for the scenography of CUTTING EDGES. They also design exhibitions for the Textielmuseum in Tilburg and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, among others.
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VERRASSING PODIA
Each of the six designers literally has their own "stage" on the second floor of the museum. On that stage, we see the designs, pieces and parts the designers have made. These can be samples or complete shoes. Through a surprising way of exhibiting, the visitor gets a glimpse into the work of each designer and ultimately his or her thinking behind it.
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SELF PARTICIPATE
Throughout the duration of CUTTING EDGES, there will be a variety of opportunities at the museum to participate or watch yourself making shoes in surprising ways. At fixed times in the Make Labs, experts from the museum and designers are at work with the machines of the Shoe Quarter and everyone can participate. These include projects around recycling, hand stitching, 3D scanning and 3D printing and how to digitally design a shoe.
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SCHOENENKWARTIER IS UNIQUE IN THE WORLD
Curator Marijke Bruggink is proud of the result of CUTTING EDGES; "We in the Netherlands can really be proud of this Schoenenkwartier. A museum like this in the field of shoes and leather does not exist in the whole world. This exhibition in particular illustrates that very well. We have a wonderful collection in a fantastic building, but also the 'Make Labs' in which schools, designers, industry and visitors meet. In these Maaklabs we have machines that can be used by the professionals, often in combination with our own experts and craftsmen. Visitors are allowed to watch, who see what is happening and can also sign up for workshops. Schools can also sign up for future programs. For example, starting in October this year, we will engage in Cuir Bouilli, leather that is cooked and then pulled around a mold, giving it a very solid shape. An ancient technique that we will link to the "now. So from armor, shields from ancient times to corsets to new applications.'
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURATOR MARIJKE BRUGGINK
Marijke Bruggink is an experienced shoe designer herself. Her craftsmanship of more than 30 years stems from both shoe making and art training. She developed the Lola Pagola brand and worked for Clarks Originals for more than 10 years as a designer and research developer. She combines craft and innovation and has extensive industry knowledge. The Make Labs have stolen her heart because here everything she finds important in the footwear business comes together; design, inventiveness of makers, complexity of craft and sustainability.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAAKLABS
In the 'Maaklabs' schools, designers, industry and visitors meet. In the Maaklabs there are machines that can be used by the professionals, often in combination with the experts and craftsmen of the Shoe Quarter. Making a shoe requires many small operations. In the Maaklabs, it's about simplification, modular construction and using different materials. It is a place to share knowledge, to deepen it. Visitors are allowed to watch, who see what is happening and can also sign up for workshops. Schools can also sign up for programs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOENKWARTIER
Stichting Schoenenkwartier; museum, knowledge center & maaklabs", in short the Schoenenkwartier interactively connects the present with the past and future of the leather and shoe industry. It features a permanent display of a selection of the collection of more than 13,000 shoes and 7,000 objects, inspiring temporary exhibitions in an award-winning building.
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BACKGROUND INFO ON THE EXHIBITION CUTTING EDGES
Opening:
May 11, 2023
Dates:
May 2 - Sept. 17, 2023
Location:
Schoenenkwartier - Maaklab
Raadhuisplein 1
5141 KG Waalwijk
Netherlands
Trustee:
Marijke Bruggink
Scenography:
Envisions
Partners:
The Friends of the Museum
Municipality of Waalwijk
Photography:
Ronald Smits, for Envisions