Chromarama, the role of design in colour blindness

From 4 to 7 February 2021, Kukka presents the textile project Chromarama, with an online exhibition from De Wasserij in Rotterdam.

Chromarama questions one of the most basic aspects of design: colour. Chromarama investigates colour perception and experience by people with Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD), more commonly known as colour blindness, translated into jacquard woven tapestries. For most people seeing all colours comes naturally. Yet 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women are colour blind. What role can design (education) play? How do you ensure that visual information is not lost? How can we take visual limitations into account in both functional and aesthetic design?  
This artistic research has been translated into five jacquard woven tapestries. The graphic colour studies, inspired by Josef Albers and the Ishihara test, play with shape, contrast, texture, subtle shine, pattern and tactility. This talk discusses the research process and the design of the tapestries. With Chromarama, Kukka wants to contribute to a (design) world, where there is room for valuable experiences of people with a visual impairment or disability.

The exhibition opens on Thursday, February 4 at 11:00 am with an online tour. Laura Luchtman from Kukka will tell more about the project in a virtual lecture on Friday 5 February at 11:00 am. Both events can be followed online for free.

More information:
Practical information exhibition “Chromarama” | online
Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 February

Thursday February 4 | 11:00 - 12:00
virtual opening with artist talk via Instagram Live @kukkadesign

Friday February 5 | 11:00 - 11:40
virtual lecture via Zoom, register for free via Eventbrite

Chromarama is made possible by Dutch Creative Industries Fund, Stokroos Foundation, TextielMuseum and De Wasserij.

Photography by Studio Soest

Photo by Iris Tempelaar

About Kukka
Kukka is Laura Luchtman's textile and surface design studio. Kukka focuses on experimental colour and material research and is driven by the ecological and social aspects of sustainability. Through groundbreaking approaches to textiles, colour, production and consumption, Kukka aims to change our perception and provide opportunities for a more conscious industry. 

www.kukka.nl

Outsiderwear

OUTSIDERWEAR
Streetwear by Outsider and Insider Artists

Outsider artists tend to be a little bit different. They often sidestep a conventional arts education, and operate outside of the mainstream art world. Sometimes they face mental or physical disabilities, homelessness and vulnerability. 

Outsiderwear is a new collaborative project combining talented outsider artists with a range of fashion designers and creatives, both emerging and established.

For the first edition of Outsiderwear, some 40 out- and insider artists join forces: sometimes in pairs, as well as in other, larger compositions. In the coming months, these teams will undertake a diverse range of creative projects: from performances and exhibitions to a series of band shirts and an underwear line. The result of these experimental collaborations will be shown and sold during the multidisciplinary Outsiderwear Festival, running from 12 March to 25 April 2021 in Amsterdam.

Outsiderwear is an initiative of artist Jan Hoek and Foundation Captain Hoek, in collaboration with Foundation M-ODE and Outsider Art Galerie.

Outsiderwear Festival
Lasting six weeks, the first Outsiderwear Festival seeks to celebrate creativity in all its forms, combining the worlds of outsider and insider artists in stimulating ways. Multiple locations in Amsterdam will host surprising exhibitions, shop-in-shops, an activist photo campaign, and a number of tours and talks.
Confirmed festival locations include Outsider Art Galerie, Hermitage Amsterdam, Patta Store, Galerie Vriend van Bavink and Zeedijk60.

The participants come from a range of varied backgrounds, from niche artists and big streetwear labels to independent designers and visual artists. During the Outsiderwear Festival, the following collaborations will be presented:

Theatergroep LeBelle X Duran Lantink 


Daniël Jos Eerenberg X Wobbewear


Ben Augustus X Piet Parra


Bruin Parry X Jan Hoek 


Antoine Monod de Froideville X Bonne Suits


Nielsjan Tavernier X Tom van de Borght


Rudy de Gruyl X Benedikt Fischer 


Stichting ArtBRUUT / Makom inloophuis X Tenant of Culture


Joey Bocciardo X Fenna Miedema X Lionel Plak X Nancy X MULAS HYBRID HAUS X SUMIBU X Tirino Yspol


Aadesokan X Maxivive (Lagos)


Ayse Somunchu X Bas Kosters


Regillio Benjamin X Desmond Tjon A Koy X Patta 


Mark Bossink X Sophie Hardeman


Sijtse Keur X Norbert de Jong X Alexxx X Hans Klastat X Minke de Fonkert X Bonne Suits 

Outsiderwear Bandshirts van o.a. Cengiz Imamdi 

Outsiderwear X Tattoo-project


Speech performance by Ulrike Möntmann


Various solo presentations, including Johan Vanderscheldenen and Naomi Schupper

Despite increasing attention for outsider art – now with its own museums, biennials and galleries – this world rarely experiences close contact with the creative industry at large. Outsiderwear wants to break this dichotomy, because many outsiders deserve wider recognition, whilst many insider makers feel a deep affinity with unconventional outsider practices.

Jan Hoek: "The first collaborations of Outsiderwear are beginning to take shape. It’s so special to see how logically the collaboration between outsiders and insiders works. I look forward to a future in which the boundaries between these two worlds fade away.”
Outsiderwear is supported by Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, VSB Fonds, Rabobank Amsterdam, StimuleringsfondsCreatieve Industrie, Stichting DOEN, Prins Bernhard Cultuurf onds and Stichting Cordaan and works together with Outsider Art Galerie, Herenplaats, De Volksbond (GJ Scheurleerweg), Stichting ArtBRUUT / Makom inloophuis, De Witte Olifant, Bijzonder Amsterdams, TheatergroepLeBelle and De Meijboom.

www.outsiderwear.nl  
instagram.com/outsiderwear_official

AGENDA
OUTSIDERWEAR FESTIVAL AMSTERDAM
12 March – 25 April
Presentation out- and insider collaborations. Collection sales begin. Webshop launch. Opening party. Exhibitions, tours and talks. Locations: Outsider Art Galerie, Hermitage Amsterdam, Super SEXYLAND World, Vriend van Bavink, Patta Store, Galerie Fleur & Wouter, ABCND Store and Zeedijk60.

OUTSIDERWEAR ON TOUR
March – August 2021 Expansion of collection. Exhibitions.
Shop-in-shops. Biennial presentation.

Esrah van Rooij - Theater LeBelle X Duran Lantink