To declare that here at KNOTORYUS we all have a deep admiration for the rather media-shy but deeply influential Antwerp Six-member Dirk Van Saene would be a very true and sincere statement. A respect that has only grown since working with the extraordinary designer and artist on MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, the magazine that was published earlier this year by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp – Fashion Department, where Van Saene is Head Of Design of the Master’s year and where he guided and still guides tons of talent during their final year at the school and towards the ultimate graduate runway show that is closely watched by the most mighty in all of the fashion world.
That same Dirk Van Saene is also a critically acclaimed painter and ceramist and he is showing off all these skills in “Rik Wouters & The Private Utopia”, the gorgeous exhibition at MoMu in Antwerp, set up to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of the Belgian fauvist painter and sculptor, where some of the best Belgian fashion creators were asked to frame their personal interpretation of what it means ‘to live a good life’ using different designs and channels.
Besides displaying beautiful silhouettes and ceramics, Van Saene took the challenge of transforming some of his domestic portrayals onto a 5 diameter-rug, which is displayed at the exhibition as a seating element and was produced by Belgian family-owned (artist) rug specialists Limited Edition, with the help of The Woolmark Company.
A rug derived from the one shown at MoMu will be on display at Biennale Interieur in Kortrijk from 14 to 23 October.
Please take a look at the outstanding making of video. (Seriously, it’s super fascinating and you’ll learn something, I most certainly did.)
Please visit:
Rik Wouters & the Private Utopia
Until February 26, 2017
Nationalestraat 28
2000 Antwerp
Belgium
Can I leave you with this picture of DVS and longtime partner Walter Van Beirendonck?
I mean.
And also, in case you didn’t know, let’s say it together.
Sometimes I love the internet SO MUCH.
(Source unknown btw, let me know if you know. Plus, who wouldn’t wear this on a shirt or a beautiful knit?)
Dirk Van Saene FW16 women’s collection is available at a.o. Song Vienna, Heimat Köln and Stijl Brussels.
Images via MoMu, tlmagazine