Close for Kim Clijsters
Object Portrait
Dune is part of the Objet Portrait project in which Roel Vandebeek captures the identity of 9 well-known Flemish inspirations in unique objects, installations and utensils.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH KIM CLIJSTERS
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
CLOSE
This sturdy bag is strung completely with straps in harness leather so the carrier and the contents form a whole. They create an attractive contrast and make the bag stronger. Just like other celebrities, Kim wants to protect her private life. She’s very open and friendly but certain things must be kept private. I processed this complexity by crossing the straps to evoke a sense of protection and inaccessibility.
DUNE
Just like dunes come and go, this sitting and lying object mutates softly from 2D to 3D. It’s the ideal carpet for taking a rest with the edge as perimeter. To increase the tactile quality, the design has been executed completely in braided willow which creates a surprising experience when you are barefoot.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
