Dutch design studio features latex casts of derelict buildings

ERJ staff report (TP)

Amsterdam, The Netherlands − Shrouds of latex cast from derelict buildings hang in this installation by Amsterdam design studio KNOL Ontwerp, forming ghostly recreations of space, reported Dezeen Magazine.

Called “Skinned”, the project features a growing collection of latex sheets cast from buildings and streets that can be cut, folded up and taken elsewhere. It was initiated by Jorien Kemerink, who founded KNOL Ontwerp with Celine de Waal Malefijt in 2009.

The material creates a translucent copy of the architectural details but also captures some of the dirt. "The history of use is caught in the cast," says Kemerink. "Like skin transplantations, they can be taken to other spaces where they get new spatial meaning."

She particularly finds the process useful when designers or creatives take over a vacant building for a short space of time.

"When a vacant building is being reused again, you often encounter dirty or decayed spaces," she explains. "The latex provides you with a way to 'seal' all the dirt and put a clean layer on top, making the place instantly useable."

"When you leave again the parts that you want to preserve can be cut out, folded and taken to new locations," she adds.

Kemerink recently taught a class at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China, where she worked with students to make casts of places in the city.

"This project looks at the emotional connection that people have with a space," she said. "My dream is to collect more and more special places in various places all over the world."

Kemerink devised the project as part of her Masters graduation at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam.

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Full story from Dezeen Magazine