Dutch Souvenirs Project

The European Ceramic Workcentre [ekwc] in the Netherlands invited 40 artists from throughout the world to create a Dutch souvenir in 2003. The Dutch Souvenirs Project was about the phenomenon of reproducible ceramic objects sold in the Netherlands as souvenirs. While these souvenirs made a reference to Dutch culture, they were for the most part, clichés.

The ekwc believed it was possible to create a new generation of souvenirs as an alternative to the widely known pottery and porcelain windmills, clogs, cows and tulips. Participants included the sculptor, Joel Fisher, the Jongeriuslab and Susan York.

For the Dutch Souvenirs Project, Susan York continued her investigation of the work of Dutch artist Gerrit Rietveld’s work. In previous studies she shared Rietveld’s interest in making two-dimensional shapes into three-dimensional forms. Inspired by Rietveld’s red-blue chair, she took the elements from the chair and reshaped them into a vessel.

The designs were presented in Milan, Italy as part of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. Parallel to this presentation, a virtual souvenir shop was opened at www.dutch-souvenirs.org. All the ideas that were submitted were published there. Behind this 'shop-window' of souvenirs you will find the entire project site containing much more information about the background to the project, the development of the concepts, the participants and the role of the ekwc.

Use the page numbers at the left to navigate through the project pages.