The Dutch Design Week (DDW -yearly in October in Eindhoven) can be seen as the lab of the future showcasing vision in conceptual and technological innovation as well as in the renewal of crafts and systems (2,600 (inter)national designers showed their work there). During DDW 2018, activities were spread over 120 locations where 355.000 visitors enjoyed 499 exhibitions, lectures, tours and labs.

Impossible to make a selection of all this creative and inspiring stuff and show it physically in TU Delft (Library). But we want to share with you at least the "vibe" of this marvellous DDW-programme and show a selection of the many projects on TV-screen. Next to that we show one 'live' project of design-student Hanneke Klaver (ArtEZ, Arnhem). In general, we -as a Library- want to encourage students to showcase and share their inspiring thoughts and views with a bigger audience and every now and then want to give the floor to students in an inspiring learning environment.

"For students by students".

We hope this particular work will raise some discussion - as it also mirrors our occupation with face-expressions, selfies and the "self" and -as such- also reflects with humour, to daily obsessions that nowadays seem to surround us.

#freetheexpression -Part of ArtEZ-graduation collection "Catch Air"

"In the great highland of new Guinea there are 42 different species of birds of paradise. Each more bizar than the last. During mating season, the male birds execute various dances to attract female birds. They change colour, put out their feathers and blow themselves up. It's an oddly mesmerising display.'' - David Attenborough

If we look with different eyes to our own human body, we can be just as marvellous and exotic as the birds of paradise. We seem to be unaware of our non-verbal communication and the unending power of imagination that our bodies can express. During her studies Hanneke Klaver has developed a strong fascination for the human body, human behaviour and our communication. The installation #freetheexpression shows a research into the oddities of human interaction. Our faces have a very sophisticated set of muscles, unconsciously trained to pass information to others. This minimalistic communication becomes visible by placing instruments on specific points of the face. The instruments make it possible to explore the facial expression in a much broader sense. #freetheexpression is part of Hanneke's graduation collection "Catch Air - play it, dance it, spread it". Through film and performance and with a humorous touch, she invites the public to cross predictable standards.

Hanneke Klaver (1997)
Started BA Product Design, ArtEZ Arnhem in 2014 and Graduated Product Design (BA) ArtEZ in 2018 www.hannekeklaver.nl