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Q1 When did you first want to be a designer?
When I was a little kid I wanted to be a creator of things, an interior designer or a singer. At my first singing performance with audience I was 5 years old. From my youngest childhood I have created things. Sometimes while playing very basically with earth in the agricultural fields of my parents creating body related structures, and sometimes making things for my dolls, or constructing rooms within rooms. |
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Q2 Would you tell us about a project that you are working on right now?
In collaboration with an interesting company I am going to start a project. It is too early to tell more about it at this moment.
Q3 Would you tell us about your brand? What is the concept behind it?
Before I started Studio ePosh in 2006 I worked as an autonomous artist with several materials like for instance cast bronze, blown glass and gold leaf. History (sometimes autobiographical), contemporary social themes and philosophical texts from writers / philosophers from different countries / times are the content of my oeuvre. I have made site specific installations in museums and castles in Holland and France, and have exhibited in various galleries, museums and other locations in Holland, Belgium, France and Hungary. |
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Q6 What is your greatest inspiration when you're making pieces?
I am interested in cultural heritage from different times and places. I am looking for and interested in universal resemblances but also variations between cultures in different times and continents. Language, communication, different languages and ways of writing interest me. I like to learn about modern technical possibilities, and if possible to use them for making my designs. |
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Contents related to the past, produced with modern equipment and innovative possibilities. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Golden Age (17th century), interests me too because of the enormous vitality at that time. There was curiousness for other continents, and the standard of arts, crafts and design was very high at that time.
Q7 Music to live by
The music I listen to depends on what I am doing at that moment, or my mood. I like to hear and sometimes sing classical music, opera, rhythm and blues, soul, reggae, jazz or pop. During the exhibition project 'In words and images' I gave a performance / concert with arias from classical opera's.
Q8 Favorite cocktail and where to drink it?
I like to drink cocktails fresh made of exotic fruits, or pink Champaign. In Campeche Mexico I tasted a very nice exotic fruit cocktail. And at the Cibone party during Tokyo Design Week they served delightful cocktails. |
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Q12 What do you see Japan from you? (Culture, life style, fashion etc.)
During visiting Japan the enthusiasm for Dutch design was remarkable, and the eagerness of the Japanese for new experiences. The mixture in Japan of old cultural heritage and civilization and the digital era affiliates with the content of my work. It was remarkable to see young designers wearing the classical kimono and others dressed with individual exceptional fashion creations. I like that kind of independent choice.
Q13 Would you like to say anything for the last question?
One has to think a lot after seeing the impressive Zen gardens in Kyoto and buildings from architects like Tadao Ando. |
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Elleke van Gorsel, the artist behind Studio-ePosh, designs elegant textile accessories, which are wearable and domestic. She creates modern haute couture with a high tactile quality and a strong artisan character. All textile accessories are produced in limited edition. The collections 'Sense' (2006) and 'Cultural Sense' (2007) consists of minutely detailed exceptional shawls digitally printed on Crêpe de Chine silk, as well as a series of table runners, placemats and napkins digitally printed onto cotton, and a woven cotton tablecloth. As far as content is concerned Elleke van Gorsel is inspired by socially engaged themes, family ties, (autobiographical) history, religion, literary and philosophical texts, for her products as well as for her autonomous work. Referring to old customs, she translates her inner perception of the universal – life of all times and cultures – in personal archetypes and new rituals. Her work is well worth seeing as well as touching and feeling. The ornamental imagery refers to times gone by, it combines rich tradition with modern technology. |
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| Autonomous works are included in collections from Museums, Governmental- and Commercial Companies like the Ministry of Justice and the Rabo Bank, and private persons like Michael Gorbatsjov. For some companies I designed art in limited edition like a glass sculpture for the Rabo Bank. The concept behind the designs from Studio ePosh has naturally grown from my autonomous works. Two projects were crucial for starting Studio ePosh. I made an installation about material poverty in the prestigious hall of the headquarters of the biggest Dutch pension fund ABP. This installation was also presented in the former dining room of a castle in France. The woven tablecloth with the texts 'Hunger, Thirst, Poverty and Want' in 39 languages of countries which suffer material poverty comes from this installation. Another start for designing products instead of autonomous art pieces was my participation in the exhibition 'Over the Edge' in Museum Beelden aan Zee Scheveningen; a presentation about contemporary medals. The packing of my digitally embroidered medal was the start of my silk scarves. |
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Q4 What's a highlight of your recent design career?
It was very interesting to exhibit at 100% Design Tokyo. The contact with the professionals and other visitors was very special.
Q5 Is there a edsigner who inspires you?
There is not a specific designer; my inspirations comes from travelling to other cultures, from travelling in time, and looking around in nature. |
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Q9 If you can go anywhere in the world where would you go?
I like to visit cities in other cultures where past and present, even future met each other. The mixture of cultural heritage and vibrant modern life is what I enjoy. Therefore my staying in Japan in Tokyo, Tsumago and Kyoto was very inspiring. Although I already have visited quite a number of places there are still a lot with a kind of mysticism to discover like Timbuktu in Mali, Marrakech in Marocco, Sana'a in Yemen, Isfahan in Iran, Samarqand in Uzbekistan and Ürümqi in Mongolia.
Q10 What's coming up in 2008? Any plans for exhibition?
In February I am going to present my designs at 'WAMP, the Dutch Hungarian Design Festival' in Budapest Hungary. In April I will exhibit during 'Salone Internazionale del Mobile' in Milan Italy. In September there will be a presentation at Design Act in Moscow Russia. And I want to come to Tokyo for a second presentation. |
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Q11 What do you think about a design industry in Netherlands?
There are a lot of interesting designers in the Netherlands. It is a pity that a umber of small industries that have the knowledge and the possibilities for producing special things are disappearing. At the moment there is a beginning of a tendency where designers and small production companies are going to cooperate. It is also interesting that some Dutch designers have started to work with (crafts)people from other cultures. |
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