2017–present
Cargo in Context is based in Amsterdam and invites artists with a critical attitude in their work towards the city, the country and the world, by offering them both a platform and a steppingstone.
The logo is made up of 2 separate hooks with the name of Cargo, the artist and other information. By framing a part of the image, a new focus occurs. The (com)position of the 2 frames is different on every invitation.
www.cargoincontext.org
In oktober 2014 starten de gerenommeerde Nederlandse modeontwerpers Alexander van Slobbe en Francisco van Benthum een nieuwe samenwerking. Met het label VAN SLOBBE VAN BENTHUM brengen zij via een webwinkel en een pop-up store een uitzonderlijke collectie accessoires, knitwear en jerseys op de markt. Daarmee bieden de ontwerpers een radicaal alternatief voor het groeiende aanbod van de fast fashion ketens.
Van Slobbe en Van Benthum keren de rollen namelijk om. Terwijl de ketens groot worden door schaamteloos de collecties van onafhankelijke ontwerpers te plunderen, zijn het nu de ontwerpers die onderduiken in het productiesysteem van de ketens. VAN SLOBBE VAN BENTHUM gaat aan het werk met de rest partijen van deze sector. De meest geschikte producten ondergaan een bewerking waardoor een nieuwe laag wordt toegevoegd. De herinterpretatie geeft de stukken een eigen en actuele signatuur, overigens zonder het origineel te verhullen. De gelaagdheid die door de bewerking ontstaat blijft aan het product en de verpakking afleesbaar, en is zelfs een belangrijke kwaliteit van de collectie.
Identity for Royal Palace Amsterdam
2014
Museum Oud Amelisweerd (MOA)
Year: 2013–present
In 2014, the Armando Museum Bureau was changed to the Museum Oud Amelisweerd (MOA) and a new identity had to be developed. In addition to the Armando collection, the stately home transformed into a museum houses the oldest original Chinese wallpaper in the Netherlands. In addition to the ‘Armando typeface’ that had already been developed (see also in chapter ‘Identities’), I used the letters M, O and A as a starting point for the new identity. Because these three letters are symmetrical, mirrored halves are created when you transect them vertically. In each case, the two halves form a framework – both literally and figuratively – within which content from the museum is displayed, revealing the collection to the visitor. Together with Tomas Celizna, I designed the website to accompany the new identity.
Keuze van kiki is an exceptional fashion collection that Kiki Niesten – known for her leading fashion boutique in Maastricht – collected through the years. At an early stage she recognized the quality of labels like Prada, Marni, Céline, Balenciaga, etc.
The boutique in Amsterdam can be described as the archive of Kiki Niesten Maastricht. Through the years she always kept the most important pieces from every collection. For ‘keuze van kiki’ she collaborates with designer Alexander van Slobbe. He is the curator of this collection.
All labels are cut out of the clothing, and are replaced by a new ‘blanco’ label that I’ve designed. Therefor the choice of each client is focused on the quality of the piece itself instead of the brand. The original label is added in a closed envelope and will be given to the client.
Foto’s: Gert Jan van Rooij
Armando Museum Bureau
Year: 2010–2013
Armando (Amsterdam, 1929) is one of the major post-war artists of the Netherlands. He is held in high esteem, both nationally and internationally, as an artist, writer, film and documentary maker, and violinist. It is very special that there is a museum named after an artist who is still alive. This was the starting point for me to give the museum a personal signature, like receiving a handwritten letter. To underline this aspect, I developed a new typeface, together with David Bennewith, based on the principal of what happens when you write with a marker or (fountain) pen; the appearance of a darker spot where your pen lingers on the paper. Every single character and punctuation mark has its most logical position for this spot and every character has two or three variants.
Corporate Identity for cultural advisor. To write the name I used the whole available space of the letterhead, envelope, compliments card and bussinesscard. 2007
Finalist Nederlandse huisstijlprijs 2009 (Prize for Corporate Identities)
In collection Graphic Design Museum Breda (De Beyerd), 2009
BijlmAIR, Artist in Residence Bijlmer/Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam
BijlmAIR is a residence project for artists, developed with Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam and Centrum Beeldende Kunst Zuidoost. Every residence period is closed with a presentation.
The artist stays for half a year in the residency which is located in the Bijlmer (a neighbourhood in Amsterdam) and has to reflect in his work at the Bijlmer.
To underline the fact that an invitation is sent only once every half year and the fact that you get an invitation from someone who stays ‘far away’ in a residency, I based the design of the identity on oldfashioned air mail paper, the ones you could fold to an envelope. The writing-paper has a perforation that you tear of after printing the letter and then fold it to an envelope.
Artists that stayed in the residency are Gijs Müller, Gillion Grantsaan, Julika Rudelius and others.
Exedra, Centrum voor hedendaagse kunst, architectuur en vormgeving
Design Posters / invitations
1996-2001
The monthly posters and invitations always show the name EXEDRA, but by interpreting this word in different graphic ways (and keeping in mind the kind of artist/exhibition) it always takes new forms. Text becomes image and vice versa.