Xmas by April&May

April&May is the wonderful webshop by my former students Jantine & Vivian. They sell the cute little hand knitted sheep from my collection. For Xmas they made these lovely photo's. I'm proud!

Biobrandstof | Biofuel

Biobrandstof. De vijand van voedselschaarste.

Biobrandstof, ooit gepresenteerd als duurzame oplossing van onder andere het klimaatprobleem, blijkt helemaal niet zo duurzaam. Sommige biobrandstoffen zijn zelfs nog slechter voor het klimaat dan fossiele brandstoffen als olie en gas. Miljoenen hectare landbouwgrond worden gebruikt voor de productie van biobrandstof in plaats van voedsel. De landbouwgrond die gebruikt wordt om Europese auto’s te voorzien van biobrandstof zou genoeg tarwe en maïs kunnen voortbrengen voor 127 miljoen mensen.Het grootste deel van de biobrandstof aan de pomp wordt gemaakt uit voedselgewassen zoals graan, maïs, suiker, soja en koolzaad. Nieuwe soorten biobrandstof, gemaakt van gebruikte vetten, landbouwafval, planten en algen (de zogenaamde tweede en derde generatie biobrandstof) zijn nog minimaal beschikbaar. Het grootste deel van de bijgemengde brandstof bestaat uit eerste generatie biobrandstof.

Veel voedsel verdwijnt dus in de tank, en dat is schrijnend. Zeker nu steeds meer mensen hun dagelijks eten niet meer kunnen betalen vanwege de hoge voedselprijzen. Benzine of diesel bij de Nederlandse pomp bestaat uit méér dan 4% biobrandstof. Zonder dat dit wordt vermeld. En weigeren kan niet. Dat paar procent biobrandstof lijkt een klein aandeel, maar al met al is het een enorme hoeveelheid. Bijmengen moet volgens Europese en Nederlandse regels. In 2008 werd door de EU al bijna 3 miljard euro uitgegeven aan belastingvoordelen en stimuleringsmaatregelen voor de productie van biobrandstoffen. Indien er niets verandert met betrekking tot het huidige Europese beleid, kan de verplichte bijmenging van biobrandstof in 2020 elke EU-burger zelfs 30 euro per jaar kosten.

Wij betalen dus voor de lobby van biobrandstof, gooien voedsel in de tank, werken mee aan armoede in de wereld en een andere keuze lijkt geen optie. We kunnen wel wat doen om voedsel in de tank tegen te gaan. Ga naar biobrandstof.nu en kom in actie. Nu!

The Alpine Review

Read the review (in Dutch) I wrote on the website of Athenaeum Booksellers about the great new magazine The Alpine Review.... which observes the things that matter.

Our Garden Birds

Since I've been working with my good work-friend Peter Graatsma on a trend lecture about identity according to birds, birds are everywhere. Funny to see how your focus in work can also focus everything you see. The fun, the beauty, the dangers that threaten them, the colours, what's written about them... endless inspiration. Peter gave me this lovely book by artist Matt Sewell.


Let me quote what he wrote about one of my favourite birds; the Blackbird:
"A healthy addition to any garden and a resident in most. Just by listening to the Blackbird's call, you can tell what's going on out there: whatever is happening he likes to sing about it. Danger, happiness and general comings and goings are all reported on, and of course he welcomes the sun every morning. The Blackbird sings with compassion, clarity and heart..... "

Unless You Remove

Last Tuesday I went to the Graduation Show of the Design Academy during Dutch Design Week. Always good to go there, very inspiring. It's great having taught there at the then-called master Man and Humanity, and I might teach there again.
From all the projects I've seen many were good, some were brilliant, some were unnecessary and some keep popping up in my mind. Here's one of the stars.
Luis Gomez Barquin. He graduated from the master Social Design. His project Unless You Remove is poetical, a sign of the times as well as a proof of the past.
Ancient architecture was purely for protection. Against weather, animals or human enemies. It was done by removing soil or excavating rock. Ancient garments were also made by removing. A fleece from a sheep, a bark from a tree. These were remade. All this needed focus and dedication.
Today's dangers and lifestyle are more complex, so products as well as garments are way beyond the ancient pieces. But we lost the skill of removal. We constantly add. That's also metaphoric and reflects our lives which are reigned by consumerism, speed and distraction.
But we can learn, and remove. Focus again, reflect, commit.
That's why Luis designed items that will become ours by removing elements. Objects that ask for an action, he calls them.
I fell in love with the idea, for it's part of the questions we have to ask ourselves: what do we really need, what can go? I fell in love with the objects as well.

the blanket is too thick to wrap yourself comfortably unless....

the chair is uncomfortable to sit on unless..........

Campaign for Wool I

Raised by Prince Charles, spreading over the fashion and design world: the campaign for wool. Wool has a traditional place in our daily lives since centuries. Wool is beautiful, wool is warm, wool is natural and organic, wool is recyclable, wool is fabulous. Wool however is threatened. Farmers hardly get any money for the fleeces they sheared from their flock and often just destroy the wool. Some wool, like merino, is often taken from the sheep in a cruel, painful way. So it's time for a change!
We must emphasize the beauty and heritage of wool. And make a new future for wool. That's why I've joined the campaign for wool.
It's obvious that wool is my favourite material for my handmade designs. On sale at Options, April&May and Royal Tichelaar in The Netherlands, and Deshima in Tokyo.
From 6 till 11 November it's woolweek. Many events, constantly updated via facebook.

The Girl Effect

Despite the fact that not all twelve-year-old girls in poverty suffer this kind of life it's important to raise awareness for those who do. So have a look at this short, graphic film. Really well made and the reality of it makes you shiver.

Little Sun

I've bought one when in Tate Modern last week. What a wonderful object, with an amazingly strong light for such a smally!
Great project, brilliant artist, Olafur Eliasson.
Have a look at little sun