new language of dutch art & design at the museum of contemporary art tokyo

catalysis for life: new language of dutch art & design museum of contemporary art tokyo, japan on now until january 30th, 2011

martijn engelbregt  restaurant rest., 2008

dutch design first began receiving attention during the 1990s for its avant-garde approach, reflecting the changing values of our times in which large numbers of people have become uncomfortable with the mass consumer society. it presents a new set of values that oppose the twentieth-century concept of design which pursued amenity and functionality.

often described as conceptual, dutch design is both affirmative and respectful of human life, based on an awareness of contemporary problems including ‘the environment and consumption’, ‘urban and social systems’ and ‘the continuation of history and culture’, while questioning our choices for the future.

‘catalysis for life: new language of dutch art & design’ features the work of designers ted noten, maarten baas and artists martijn engelbregt and tomoko take, who question the relationship between people, objects or interpersonal communication

installation view from museum of contemporary art tokyo ‘catalysis for life – new language of dutch art & design’ 2010 studio maarten baas the shell, 2009

installation view from museum of contemporary art tokyo ‘catalysis for life – new language of dutch art & design’ 2010

atelier ted noten  lyppen’s bag, 2005  collection of j. lyppen photo: ted noten

installation view from museum of contemporary art tokyo ‘catalysis for life – new language of dutch art & design’ 2010

tomoko take  homelesshome project, peace of home (amsterdam, dam), 2004 photo: gert-luc van poelje

installation view from museum of contemporary art tokyo ‘catalysis for life – new language of dutch art & design’ 2010