BLAZON
Christie van der Haak

installation

8 January – 5 February 2012

In the installation BLAZON Christie van der Haak (1950) shows new textile designs inspired by heraldry. The coat of arms or blazon has for centuries referred to the identity of an individual, family, group or state. Animal figures, such as lions, deer and griffins, as well as architectural themes, such as castles and towers, are frequently featured besides stylized flower and leaf shapes. A coat of arms not only defines the collective identity of a group, but also excludes others who do not belong to that group. Christie van der Haak’s take on heraldry isn’t that concerned with prescribed rules and is, to a certain extent, tongue-in-cheek. With this she implicitly refers to issues concerning the exclusion of groups and the disappearance of tolerance that is becoming increasingly overt in current day society.

In the gallery’s front space the drafts preceding the actual textile designs are shown. On the opposing wall five panels with fabrics are put next to eachother. A brightly colored carpet lies on the floor with a bench upon it by designer Piet Hein Eek, upholstered with one of Christie van der Haak’s fabrics. In the back space banners with heraldic designs freely hang from the ceiling. Behind them several fabric designs mounted on aluminium slabs shaped as waving flags, are put on the side wall. The gallery’s rear wall is covered by three heraldic fabrics stretched on wooden frames, to the right a cashmere wollen carpet hangs from the wall.
The concept for the exhibition was conceived in cooperation with Asmir Ademagic.

Next summer Christie van der Haak will participate in an important exhibition of Dutch designers. The exhibition titled Dutch Design takes place in the Schloss Oranienbaum, in Oranienbaum Wörlitz, Germany near Dessau. In fifty rooms of the palace works by a.o. Hella Jongerius, Marcel Wanders, Jurgen Bey, Viktor & Rolf, Gijs Bakker and Piet Hein Eek will be exhibited, including Christie van der Haak’s fabric designs. The contemporary design will interact with the historic architecture, furniture and objects in the palace. 26 April – 30 September 2012 Schloss Oranienbaum. see: www.oranienbaumexhibition.com