amsterdam project FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: JENNETTE SNape mb:

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1 amsterdam project FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: JENNETTE SNape mb: galerieschaap@gmail.com

2 press release is this seat taken? EXHIBITION AND PRODUCT LAUNCH Zaishu is an award winning slot together seat / table combining cultural creativity with eco design. Designed and made in Australia from sustainable, plantation grown pine, it is lightweight, portable and versatile. Inspired by Japanese furniture and respect for simple rational forms, this hip blend of style and substance will be launched in Holland this December. Approached more like a project than a product, Zaishu collaborates with international artists, designers, non-profit communities and school groups. Organised in different locations around the globe, these art initiatives are acclaimed by galleries, design magazines and customers worldwide for their interactive and creative focus. Now the very first Zaishu art project is set to take place in The Netherlands. The project and group exhibition Is this seat taken? sees this unique piece of furniture being used as a canvas by a diverse selection of international artists. This month the artists will converge in a raw industrial haven in Amsterdam Oost where they will apply their own distinct style to Zaishu and at the same time join a growing list of contributors worldwide. When completed, the panels will be interconnected with other artists panels, resulting in twenty nouveau Zaishu chairs. Each standing as unparalleled collectable artworks that also function as furniture. This intercultural accessible art will be exhibited and sold at furniture design store and artspace, Wilhelmina Winkel. This is a rare opportunity to see some of Amsterdam s up and coming artists and designers express themselves individually and collectively and for visitors to purchase a never to be repeated piece of collaborative art. Zaishu goes beyond the product consumer culture of design by creating a progressive spirit of participation, creativity, sustainability and evolution of ideas. It is a seat or table, art as furniture, individual and social, commercial yet ethical. Please contact us if you are interested in featuring this intercultural art journey by Zaishu. Jennette Snape galerieschaap@gmail.com mb: PROJECT DATES: Artist briefing: Wednesday, 8th October (evening) Galerie Schaap - Utrechtsestraat 95, Amsterdam An information and get together for the artists to meet and discuss the project. Brainstorm concepts and allow new ideas to evolve and be added. Painting of art pieces: Saturday, 18 October Weasel s Atelier - Amsterdam Oost Exhibition launch: Saturday, 6th December Wilhelmina Winkel - Veemkade 570, Amsterdam

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4 About the Zaishu Amsterdam intercultural art project This is a creative and cultural project that brings people together in an artistic venture. The pieces produced for this are unique and hand-made. Every Zaishu special art project is approached differently and there are no set rules or way of working. They are organised in different locations around the world and are produced in collaboration with international artists and designers. This is the very first Zaishu art project to take place in the Netherlands. Creativity, participation, responsibility and evolution are our driving forces. A group of artists will work together and each paint a selection of panels (approached as if it were one canvas). After all the panels have been painted, they will be interconnected with other artists panels to make up one chair. Each chair will feature unique pieces from different artists. No artist will end up with a finite piece of work, but their art will sit as a combined piece within a creative collective. The Zaishu design is a metaphor for the fragmented nature of this artistic collaboration. As individual pieces are connected and joined together to create a truley nouveau work. Each artist will be given their own canvas to work on, yet the finished pieces will derive from the artists working together and determining how each chair will be created. This element of randomness and chance aims to open new processes and directions for individual artists. Thus subscribing to the philosophy of Zaishu as an organic project with a progressive spirit of participation, creativity, sustainability and evolution of ideas. Zaishu HISTORY The name Zaishu is derived from the Japanese word zaisu which refers to a seat without legs used in traditional Japanese homes. Zaishu design takes inspiration from slot together wooden beams in Japanese Buddhist temples as well as Japanese respect for natural materials and simple rational forms. Zaishu was launched in 2004 by Australian designers Matthew Butler and Helen Punton at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Melbourne. It was then launched internationally soon after at the Milan Furniture Fair and Milan Art Fair. Zaishu has been connected with many prestigious design houses, museums and events worldwide. In 2006 Home Beautiful Magazine named Zaishu Product of the Year. The Sydney Powerhouse Museum has two Zaishus on permanent display in their Inspired Design Across Time exhibit. Zaishu is a product of artistic, cultural and social exchange where innovative pieces function on dual levels physically and ideologically. It is a seat or table, art as furniture, individual and social, commercial yet ethical. Zaishu operates in an ethical manner by providing functional eco furniture with an emphasis on social responsibility. Our art projects with artists and nonprofit community and school groups are acclaimed internationally by galleries, design magazines and customers for their interactive and creative focus. Zaishu uses furniture design to celebrate culture and encourage social unity by acting as a vehicle of interaction, bringing together otherwise separate segments of society.

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6 project participants THE ARTISTS: Dolly Rogers (Christopher Costuna & Jennette Snape) Esther Mosselman Hollywood Mark Jaap Simonis Jacob Plooij (concept chair) Laser Naad (Daniel De Jong) Puik Werk (Evelien Klein Gebbink & Marieke van den Boogaard) Thomas Reineke THE TEAM: Jennette Snape Lead contact Wendy Lambers Promotions + Media wendy.lambers@gmail.com Ravyn Godwin Promotions + Media ravyngodwin@gmail.com Gert Van Vankerckhove Film & Projection gevank@gmail.com Jasper Kuipers Film & Projection jasperkuipers@dekipenkorrelprodukties.nl Koen Verpaalen Film & Projection koenverpaalen@gmail.com Esther Mosselman Exhibition location info@winkelwilhelmina.nl Weasel (Jamie Sutherland) Zedz

7 Location details: Artist briefing - Wednesday, 8th October Galerie Schaap Utrechtsestraat 95, Amsterdam An art galerie/ workshop/project space set in the milieu of an old butcher s shop on the Utrechtsestraat 95, Amsterdam. Galerie Schaap is an inspiring playground where artists collaborate and share their talents. Painting of art pieces: Saturday, 18 October Weasel s Atelier Amsterdam Oost This industrial haven provides the raw environment in which you feel like you have stepped back in time, it has become a hide out for birds and and a work place for artists. A new character has been forged for the building with a soul from a bygone era.

8 Zaishu artwork by David Bromely Prints by Spacecraft, Melbourne Anna and Meeloo Design Mai, Berlin

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10 Zaishu is an award winning, slot-together seat or small table. Decorated with unique designs, Zaishus are collectable artwork that also function as furniture. The hand-printed artwork on each piece is produced in collaboration with international artists and designers, and combines cultural creativity with eco design. Designed and made in Australia from native plantation pine, each Zaishu is hand painted or printed using water-based inks and varnish. Zaishu has Good Environmental Choice certification and is sold flat-packed. Each part is simply slotted together for easy assembly.

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12 The Weekend Australian Magazine September 2008 Vogue Living editor David Clark nominates 20 triumphs of Australian design from the past 20 years. Zaishu has been selected along side the Florence Broadhurst Archive, Marc Newsons, Stephen Blaess, Dinosaur Designs, Caroline Casey, Leigh Bowery, Charles Wilson and Susan Cohn.

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14 Perspectief 13 Nú in de winkel Deze pagina is samengesteld door reismagazine Columbus Australië Kunstenaars steken talent niet onder stoelen of banken Topdesign down under Wie naar Australië afreist, hoeft dat niet alleen meer te doen voor het Great Barrier Reef of de Outback. Australische kunst en design is hot. Mark Mackintosh... Een van de opvallendste Australische kunstinitiatieven is Zaishu, waarvoor ontwerpers Matt Butler en Helen Punton op hun beurt de hele wereld afreizen. Zaishu? Helen: Ja, dat betekent krukje in het Japans. Het is een toepasselijke naam voor een simpel idee: schuif vijf vineer-panelen in elkaar en je hebt je eigen kunstwerk waar je nog op kan zitten ook. Door het eenvoudige design komt er geen schroef aan te pas. Het record om een krukje in elkaar te schuiven staat op elf seconden. En het gaat niet om zomaar wat paneeltjes, maar hout waar een stel kunstenaars op los zijn gelaten. Matt: Ik stond een paar jaar geleden op een designfestival en vroeg enkele graffiti-artiesten om een paar houten panelen helemaal onder te sprayen. Andere kunstenaars kwamen er direct op af en vroegen of ze mee mochten doen. Het was een instant hit, het idee voor Zaishu was geboren. Sindsdien organiseren we overal ter wereld Zaishu-projecten. Wat begon als een samenwerkingsproject voor kunstenaars is in korte tijd uitgegroeid tot iets wat om veel meer gaat dan design. Helen: Klopt. Zaishu is toegankelijke kunst die eenvoudig te maken en te gebruiken is en daarom niet enkel geschikt voor beroepskunstenaars. Zo hebben we in India een project gedaan met kinderen uit de sloppenwijken. We gaven workshops aan kids die nog nooit iets met kunst te maken hebben gehad en leerden ze hoe ze de panelen van de Zaishu konden beschilderen. De Zaishu s van deze workshops worden nu tentoongesteld en er is een documentaire over gemaakt. Toen we in India waren, hebben we ook een tijdelijke Zaishu-studio opgezet voor traditionele kunstenaars. Zij gebruiken technieken en beeldtaal die door de razendsnelle modernisering van hun land verloren dreigen te gaan. Ik was vooral onder de indruk van de inheemse Warli-stam. Hun afgezanten zaten twee weken lang in alle stilte afbeeldingen te schilderen van een huwelijksceremonie. Matt: Enkele maanden geleden ondernamen we een soortgelijk project in Fiji. We vroegen leden van de inheemse Vorovoro-stam hun traditionele, eeuwenoude stenciltechnieken te gebruiken om Zaishu s met bloemenpatronen te versieren. De opbrengsten van de Zaishu s die ter plekke ontworpen zijn, gaan naar een school op de eilandengroep. Kunst als wondermiddel? Helen: Kijk, ik ben geen dokter die naar Afrika afreist om mensen te genezen. Maar ik kan wel een stukje vrijheid en creativiteit bieden aan de wereld. Tegelijkertijd word ik zelf ook ontzettend geïnspireerd door alle reizen die ik voor Zaishu-projecten maak. Reizen is de beste vorm van onderwijs die je je kan wensen. Alles wat je ziet de kleuren, vormen, patronen en mensen is nieuw en verrassend. Zaishu is voor mij een manier om die ervaringen aan anderen door te geven. Matt: Ook Australië zelf is een grote inspiratiebron voor ons. Het unieke landschap vormt een belangrijk onderdeel van de nationale identiteit. De natuur is schitterend maar kan ook erg wreed zijn. Die paradox zie je terug in veel Australische kunst en is ook verwerkt in het meest recente Zaishu-ontwerp. Dat is een afbeelding van het Alpine National Park in de deelstaat Victoria, vlak nadat die twee jaar geleden getroffen werd door een enorme bosbrand. De brand richtte enorme schade aan, maar uit de as herrezen een heleboel nieuwe plantensoorten. Er ontstond een volledig nieuw bos. Allemaal mooi en aardig, maar kunnen jullie er ook de huur mee betalen? Helen: Wij doen geen zaken zoals anderen dat wel doen, waar alles puur draait om commercie. Wij hebben onze eigen richtlijnen, visie en manier van zaken doen. En daar rollen de leukste projecten uit. Dat Matt en ik daarnaast nog een andere baan hebben omdat we niet van de winst kunnen leven, vinden we dan ook helemaal niet erg. 1 Om een Zaishu te kopen of projectinformatie te achterhalen, ga je naar SRC Cultuurvakanties biedt compleet verzorgde groepsreizen naar Australië aan, oceanie Waar kun je in Oz Zaishu s bewonderen? ZAISHU ZWAARGEWICHTEN Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel, Point Lookout 35 kilometer ten oosten van Brisbane ligt North Stradbroke Island, een surfmekka met jaloersmakende stranden. Dolfijnen, reuzenmanta s en walvissen strijden om je aandacht. Het hotel bestaat uit twaalf kamers en appartementen met uitzicht op zee, Powerhouse Museum of Science + Design, Sydney Het openbare museum is gewijd aan technologie, industriële vormgeving, mode en interieurdesign, Dode kunst Het Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney heeft een dood paard aan het plafond gehangen. Het opgezette beest is nog tot 7 september te bewonderen. Zaishu hoofdkantoor in Yamba Oprichter Matt Butler coördineert alle Zaishu-projecten vanuit zijn kantoor/ strandhuis in dit subtropische surfparadijs in de deelstaat New South Wales. Het vijfduizend inwoners tellende Yamba kan bogen op twee pubs, een golf- en een bowlingclub en een groeiend aantal gepensioneerde baby boomers Levende handel Een Australiër is zijn leventje zó beu dat hij het te koop heeft gezet op ebay. De hoogste bieder krijgt zijn huis, baan, kleren en vrienden.

15 AUSTRALIAN STYLE ECO INNOVATIONS By Natalie Peterson Design can and does serve as a catalyst for change, and while sustainable design is about responsible manufacturing methods and materials, our worldly Australian designers are ensuring it never loses sight of functionality and visual appeal. Modern design can be both morally and ethically right, creative and inspirational and technically interesting to boot. More often than not eco-friendly design can allow a very hands-on approach to assembly - flat packed, slot together assembly means less packaging and less impactactable waste. Anthony Dann (ph: ) created the award-winning Mitsy stool that proves even a humble sheet of cardboard can be deemed design savvy - sturdy enough to hold 150kg and flat-packed with a tab-and-slot assembly, Mitsy won the Sustainability Award at last year s Launch Pad program in Sydney. Unadorned, it also serves as a blank canvas for creative decorators who want to put their own artistic touch to the surface design. This slot-together system is a similar take on the multi-functional Zaishu stool by Brisbane designer Matthew Butler which has quickly become an Australian design icon. The Zaishu stool is adorned with limited edition prints and is made from plantation-grown veneer and water-based inks and varnish and can be purchased direct from the website or from CQ Store at 381 Brunswick Street, and OBJX at Studio 3b, 9 Chester Street in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Husque Another Brisbane designer to explore locally produced sustainable design is Marc Harrison, he of the sublime range of Husque bowls and dishes that combine the organic beauty of macadamia nut shells with the principles of recycling. Created in 2003, the range continues to grow in popularity due both to its innate beauty and the ingenuity of its design - Marc exhibited his Husque collection at the prestigious Maison & Objet design fair in Paris last September, taking Australian eco design to the world stage once again to great acclaim. The Husque bowls have a unique story to their production - after the macadamia kernels are removed, the discarded shells are milled into fine particles, melded with a polymer, and the final outcome is a series of fluid, beautiful and functional objects of art. Each product is hand-finished by mirror polishing the coloured linings and hand-rubbing the exterior of the Husque with macadamia oil. Visit his website at to find your nearest stockist. When it comes to high end, contemporary furniture pieces, inspiring and creative sustainability is becoming of keen interest to our designers. Australian design company Schamburg & Alvisse focus on eco design in their ever growing catalogue of furniture collections that have so far concentrated on using recycled resin Recopol to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions, reduce resource wastage, and reduce landfill use, and the use of timber classified by Greenpeace as eco preferable. Their Miss Molly lounge chair was the winnner of Powerhouse Museum s Vertibral from ESO Group Sustainability Award in 2004, and their ever growing collection has a contemporary slant on any humble notions of sustainable design. Schamburg & Alvisse designs can be sourced directly from S&A who regularly supply to Queensland. Ph: ESO Group have devoted their entire catalogue to environmentally sustainable objects and design and are proud to promote eco as a way of modern living. ESO was established in 2006 with the aim to design, manufacture and market furniture using recycled and renewable materials, low toxic chemicals and a commitment to a Product Stewardship Plan, so that the most minimal imprint will be left on the environment, during the life cycle of each item. The ESO product range was then awarded the Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) License after rigid assessment, by independent environmental scientists. Stylecraft Australia is the exclusive stockists of the ESO range in Brisbane and can be found at 125 Commercial Road, Newstead. Ph:

16 Zaishu PLI Range from Bangdesign The Pli furniture range by Bangdesign is an original design creation in collaboration with Formway Design using sustainable plantation-grown timber in a fluid and flowing form to show just how progressive eco design has become for the modern marketplace. Available in a great choice of colours, the Pli range includes a range of armchairs, ottomans and tables so you can group them together or use a single piece as a stand alone feature. Bangdesign is available in Queensland through Commercial Images, Ph: So if you are like the growing number of design lovers turning their eye towards environmentally sensitive chic for the space we live in, look no further than our own shores for future-forward design that proves eco is where it s at. Miss Molly by Schamburg & Alvisse 27

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21 Zaishu was launched by designers Matthew Butler and Helen Punton at the prestigious Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Melbourne in 2004 and appeared on the international scene shortly after at both the Milan Art and Milan Furniture fairs. The name Zaishu is derived from the Japanese word zaisu which refers to a seat used in traditional Japanese homes. Zaishu is a product of artistic, cultural and social exchange, as Helen and Matthew s innovative pieces function on dual levels physically and ideologically. It is seat or table, Art as furniture, individual and social, commercial yet ethical. In conforming to the philosophy of Zaishu s designers, the company strives to operate in an ethical manner, providing an example of ecological and social responsibility. To this end Zaishu has facilitated art projects by international non-profit community and school groups. The results of these projects have then been shown in galleries or published in high-end design magazines, making Zaishu a vehicle of interaction, bringing together otherwise separate segments of society. The Sydney Powerhouse Museum, which premiered the Zaishu documentary, filmed in India by Canadian director Mike Crowhurst, also has two Zaishu on permanent display in their Inspired Design Across Time exhibit. And in 2006 Home Beautiful Magazine named Zaishu Product of the Year. Matthew Butler: sales/ production/ design Matthew studied industrial design in Australia before working in Europe as production manager for noted English designer Tom Dixon. Matthew founded furniture company Bluesquare in 1998; clients include the Marmara Hotel in New York and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, various banks, universities and many other Australian businesses and companies. Helen Punton: projects/ marketing/ design Helen studied Graphic Design in Australia. Her work includes designing the signage for Metlink, Melbourne s public transport system, and exhibit design for the Melbourne zoo. Helen speaks fluent German after living and working in Berlin for several years. She has written and directed a number of short films and while in Berlin was curator for exhibitions, including the Australian Design Exhibition Modernwhite, and in 2005 Sharpies, photography at the Australian embassy in Berlin. Helen and Matthew credit the global success of Zaishu to the numerous artists, print designers and creative minds they have collaborated with over the last four years and the hundreds of participants in their art projects. info@designsabroad.com

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25 amsterdam project FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: JENNETTE SNape mb: galerieschaap@gmail.com