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Renny Ramakers is guest editor for Jotta

Renny Ramakers is this week’s guest editor of Jotta.com. Here is an interview with Renny by Millie Ross and Chloe Spiby-Loh.

Renny Ramakers is the co-founder and director of Droog, a conceptual design company based in Amsterdam. Trained as an Art historian, in 1993 Ramakers decided to initiate projects which have since stretched the borders of design thinking. In celebration of Droog’s design for German disco DJ, Tensnake’s new album, Ramakers talks to jotta about the progressive ideas that define a design company as renowned as Droog. In keeping with Droog’s democratic ethos we asked 4 designers of different mediums, illustration, product, architecture and graphics, to ask the questions.

jotta: How would you describe the Droog aesthetic?
RR: The Droog aesthetic comes from content. It is straightforward but not minimalistic. It is both less and more (less aesthetic extras and more content). The Droog aesthetic is always open to changing.

jotta: How does Tensnake’s music align with the Droog design philosophy, and how did you approach the design coneptually?
RR: It’s not a collaboration, it’s a client, so it is not necessary that the two philosophies align. It’s more important that we can add to each other’s body of work. Responding to Tensnake’s layered approach to producing music and his love of African pattern motifs, the design features a series of artworks of superimposed found African patterns. The outer cover has been cut and folded to into a geometric pattern based on the idea of reptile skin scales. Just as a reptile’s scaled skin allows bright skin to be concealed beneath the scales, the white cover offers only a glimpse of its blue underside and the artwork selected by the user beneath it.

Tensnake Live + inner sleeve by Droog
Tensnake Live + inner sleeve by Droog

Dave Cuvelot: In your opinion what makes design such a powerful tool?
RR: It can bring an unexpected angle to a problem area. Design always depends on other industries and expertise, which are just as important. Continue reading “Renny Ramakers is guest editor for Jotta”

Interview with Renny Ramakers by Yatzer

Interview and text by Apostolos Mitsios for Yatzer.

Renny Ramakers - Droog

What can we say about Droog design, a company that since 1993 opens new paths to creativity and has produced some of the most iconic design pieces of the last decades? Some weeks ago Workshop-Dionisis Sotovikis and Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation for the Environmental Sciences presented at the Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece, a retrospective Droog exhibition called “Greek green greet” (June 4th – July 25th 2010), being the largest Droog exhibition in the world since 2007. Athens came closer to the design world and Renny Ramakers, the heart and soul of Droog, of course could not miss the event. Yatzer was there, eager to know all those little stories hidden behind a successful company that make the difference. Renny Ramakers talked to us in the most sincere way, offering one of the most interesting encounters we have ever had. Get ready to get inside the headquarters of one of the most significant design companies of all times!

First of all, Mrs. Ramakers, did you like the exhibition at the Benaki Museum?
 It is fantastic the fact that you have made everything by yourselves, I only delivered some items, it is awesome! The organizers wanted more and more products, initially they had the fear that there would not be enough products to fill the space, but finally everything went perfect. It is always very interesting to see the way other people interpret your work. Sometimes I take a look at a certain piece and I say to myself “look, I hadn’t realized it looked so nice!”. It was also so pleasant to see prototypes that I hadn’t seen for a lot of time, for years, like the Cosy chair by SMAG that we had showed at Milan many years ago and I didn’t have the chance to see it again since then.

If Droog was a child, back in 93, which would be the references that would define you? Who would be your parents, who would be your brothers and who would be your heroes?
The father and mother of my company are me and my partner Gijs Bakker, who left us recently, so I would say we are divorced (laughs)! I do not think we have many brothers and sisters because we are quite unique. The source of inspiration is the designers themselves, the children of the company. As soon as we like something, we ask directly the designer to collaborate with us. The way the designers react to an original idea of ours often makes the project much bigger. We are inspired by the designers, but the designers are also inspired by us. It is all about collaboration! There is a retro alimentation open to surprises. If you have good designers, they bring the whole project to another level.

Who was the first designer that you have collaborated with?
Jurgen Bey is very inspiring for us, he has been with us since the beginning, before we even started. He and his partner Rianne Makkink in 1992, when I was organizing small exhibitions at that time, were designing our exhibitions, but the first product was of Marcel Wanders. In 1988, after Wanders graduation from the School of the Arts Arnhem, I bought a prototype of him and this became the first product of the company. His breakthrough to fame was a chair he made for us, the Knotted Chair (1996).

Could you say you are Marcel Wanders’ design mama?
Yes (laughs), but do not tell him!

Having in mind that we often define ourselves against something, against what did you define yourself at that time? Continue reading “Interview with Renny Ramakers by Yatzer”

green greek greet by droog

We’re coming to Athens. The exhibition opening is tomorrow and a lecture by Renny Ramakers follows on Saturday.

June 4th – July 25th, 2010
Opening: Thursday June 3rd, 20:00
Benaki Museum, Building at 138 Pireos St., Athens, Greece

Workshop Dionisis Sotovikis and Mariolopoulos Kanaginis Foundation for the environmental sciences, in collaboration with the Benaki Museum, present the exhibition ‘greek green greet by droog’ at the Benaki Museum, Pireos St. Annexe, Athens, Greece, from June 4th until July 25th, 2010, with an opening event on Thursday, June 3rd at 20:00.

The exhibition ‘greek green greet by droog’ is the largest retrospective Droog exhibition in the world since 2007 and it will present Droog by exploring, investigating and discussing the concepts of recycle, re-use, recreate, reinvent, clarity of concept, memory and nostalgia. Our Greek partner since 2007, workshop’s purpose is to draw the attention of the general public in Greece, providing information about contemporary design with environmental concerns worldwide.

Design, Architecture and Sustainability Conference
featuring lecture by Renny Ramakers

Benaki Museum amphitheatre
Saturday, June 5th

Within the framework of the exhibition and on the occasion of the World Environment Day, Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation in collaboration with the Benaki Museum, organises a scientific one-day conference on ‘Design, Architecture and Sustainability’, which will take place at the amphitheatre of the Benaki Museum, Pireos Annexe, with invited speakers from academia and practice, from the fields of architecture and environmental design. There will be two sessions: ‘Sustainability in Architecture and the Built Environment’ and ‘Environmental Design in Architecture’. The event will begin at 10.30 on Saturday morning and will end at 15.00, with a closing speech and presentation of the exhibition ‘greek green greet by droog’ by Renny Ramakers, co-founder and director of Droog. The conference will be conducted in English.

Information for the one-day conference
+ 30 210 610.0.610
+ 30 210 362.3.861

About workshop
workshop is an animated entity, a vessel exploring the intersecting trajectories of architecture, art, design and construction that emerge from the dialectics of ideas and the processes leading to creation.
www.workshop-s.com

About the Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation
Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation for the Environmental Sciences was established in 1993 with the objective to develop and promote the sciences relative to the environment, as well as the study of human’s interaction with the environment and the cultural heritage of Greece.
www.mariolopoulosfoundation.gr

About The Hellenic Institute of Architecture
The Hellenic Institute of Architecture pursues the development of architecture in Greece and is also interested in improving the legal framework of production, in protecting the environment and its relation to new building construction, as well as in preserving Greek architectural heritage, old as well as new.
www.heliarch.gr

Museum Opening Hours
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Friday & Saturday 10:00 – 22:00
Monday & Tuesday CLOSED

Curated by: DIONISIS + KIRKI
Consultant: D.art

Q&A with Aldo Bakker

Aldo Bakker

What drives your form-giving as a designer? How do you make decisions about the form you give to an object?

The first question – to reach a more sensorial and independent physical statement. And the second question – every ingredient should fulfill its value due to the overall meaning.

Does it matter where and by who it is used?

Not at all.

It seems to me that you think aesthetics are underrated. Is this true?

Yes, aesthetics mean for everybody something else, they are abstract. But they’re the very reason why we create and buy things. In every approach you’ll take as a designer you can’t escape from the fact that in the end a physical result is there. That’s why I choose to embrace aesthetics and to question them until I understand their meaning and how to make use of them. Only then I believe you’ll create a situation where they have a chance to define their own existence, place and surrounding, instead of having them lost in space.

In your opinion, how does the time spent on the making of an object relate to the value for a new owner?

It would be ideal when investment and result are in balance but this is almost never the case. When the thing is complete or good, it will reflect the energy, effort and materials that are invested, after that it becomes a matter of time.

We read in one of your press releases, “…the mood of silence provokes necessary care and attention.” Fascinating words, can you tell us more about this?

Silence creates space and therefore confronts. In the ideal situation it means that the object has the quality to grab your attention and to create this moment silence.

How do you think your work relates or does not relate to Droog?

I believe my work is the opposite. In my opinion, the approach of Droog is a theoretical one, everything is explained from the story or concept that drives it. Mine starts and ends through visual matter. Concept, material, colour, weight, execution… all these elements are tools for me, when I’m finished these tools are the property of the object, when the object is ready it should shine, and not explain.

We asked Renny Ramakers why she selected Aldo’s Copper collection for Droog:

Renny: I like the Copper collection in the first place because it is very beautiful but certainly because of the new vision on the use and rituals associated with these objects. They are also made in an unusual technique, which was also a reason.

I do not see Droog as being theoretical. We are interested in creation, innovation and debate and that can be very broad. True, that our products have stories whatever they may be, but I also see stories behind Aldo’s Copper collection.

Mixing bowl by Aldo Bakker

Aldo’s Copper collection is available in New York exclusively through Droog New York. See the collection here.

+3 again

simply droog 10+3 book

Since the publication of this book in 2006, here’s an update of what we’ve been up to since then.

2007
Gijs Bakker and Renny Ramakers receive the Benno Premsela Award. Master pieces of the IM Master course at Design Academy Eindhoven are presented at Droog. In collaboration with University of Delft, Droog presents Dry Tech III with new works by Chris Kabel, NEXT architects, amongst others. Amsterdam housing association Ymere commissions Droog to develop a Townhouse, and Droog invites Tokyo-based Atelier Bow-Wow to collaborate. Droog commissions Atelier Bow-Wow to design a new hotel around the corner from its store in Amsterdam.

2008
Droog presents A touch of green at the Furniture Fair in Milan, together with a 48 hour pop up store. The Climate competition is launched, and ‘Droog Aalto’ by Jan Ctvrtnik is selected by website visitors as the winner. This years’ Master pieces of the IM Master course at Design Academy Eindhoven are presented at Droog. In collaboration with communication agency KesselsKramer, Droog presents S1NGLETOWN at the Architectural Biennale in Venice. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs commissions Droog to develop a new business gift for the most important contacts of Dutch embassies worldwide. Droog launches this project as a competition selecting Space to take place, a 100 meter bench by Claudia Linders. Urban Play takes place, a seriess of events and exhibitions within the streets of Amsterdam.

2009
The first project of the Droog Lab, Droog al Arab is launched with leading designers Jurgen Bey and Saskia van Drimmelen. Droog New York opens in SoHo, with an interior by Studio Makkink & Bey. Co-founder Gijs Bakker leaves Droog to concentrate on his independent work. Ketel One asks Droog to design its three dimensional event spaces and its basic kit of bartender tools and glassware. Droog presents a series of new work in Milan with designers such as FormaFantasma, Nacho Carbonell, Studio Makkink & Bey and Chris Kabel, together with a pop up store. Droog presents Townhouse by Atelier Bow-Wow and Paper bone chair by Joris Laarman at Design Miami, amongst other studio works. New fashion items are introduced to Droog’s store, including Gluejeans by G+N. The second Lab project, Luxury of the North is launched with leading designers Winy Maas and Cynthia Hathaway. Chris Kabel wins the DOEN prize for the Seam chair developed for Dry Tech III. Droog wins the Time out prize. Renny Ramakers curates a festival of Dutch design, fashion and architecture to commemorate 400 years of a Dutch-American friendship at Governors Island, New York, with over 25,000 visitors over the course of two weekends.

2010
Fastcompany lists the year Droog opened on Staalstraat in Amsterdam as one of the decade’s 14 biggest design moments. Droog asks 14 designers to revive over 5000 leftovers, presenting a new collection of 19 products in Milan as ‘saved by droog.’ The exhibition is coupled with a manifesto and a ‘new owner’ photo campaign. The exhibition will travel to Droog New York in September, bringing in new designers and inventory. Downloadable design is launched—the development of an innovative business model and platform for downloadable design and local CNC fabrication. Ketel One commissions Droog to produce an animation that tells the story of its bottle. The Thomas Eyck collection becomes available in New York exclusively at Droog New York, featuring objects by Aldo Bakker, Christien Meindertsma, Scholten & Baijings and Studio Job. The outcome of Droog al Arab will be presented in Dubai. Two more Lab projects are launched—Serving NY led by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and one on the theme of consumption in Russia to be part of Strelka’s summer program.

As published by Special Bite

De directeur en mede-oprichter van designbureau Droog kondigde vorige week de komst van een concepthotel en restaurant in Amsterdam aan. Eten speelt een belangrijke rol in haar leven. Renny Ramakers groeide op met de Hollandse pot en af en toe uitstapjes naar de Chinese en Italiaanse keuken. “Bij ons thuis mocht je op je verjaardag altijd kiezen wat er werd gegeten. Ik koos altijd voor de voor kinderen niet zo gebruikelijke combinatie lever en spinazie. Waarom? Geen idee. Ik zal het wel heel lekker hebben gevonden.”

Go Slow Cafe

Kunsthistorica Ramakers (@rennydroog op twitter) stond in 1993 aan de wieg van Droog. Een inmiddels wereldwijd bekend bureau vanwege de conceptuele benadering van design. Droog ontwikkelt concepten en tentoonstelingen. Met designers, onder wie Hella Jongerius, worden producten ontwikkeld, van deurknoppen tot de knotted chair van Marcel Wanders. Headquarters en de flagshipstore zijn in Amsterdam en er zijn ook winkels in New York en Tokio. Alles draait om no-nonsense down to earth design.

Droog doet ook eetprojecten, zoals het Go Slow Cafe waarbij alles langzaam gaat en senioren bedienen. Dit project is in verschillende delen van de wereld met veel succes gepresenteerd.

Ramakers zelf lust eigenlijk alles. “Met uitzondering van karnemelk. Ook ben ik niet zo dol op zacht voedsel, zoals boter en room. Ik hou heel erg van koken, vooral diners voor vrienden. Helaas komt er vanwege de werkdrukte te weinig van. Ook omdat ik veel reis. Als ik moet kiezen tussen een diner met vrienden (of vreemden) of een feest, dan kies ik voor het diner. Contacten op feesten zijn vaak vluchtig, ik word te veel afgeleid, aan een diner kun je rustiger praten.”

Zondag 2 mei

Als ik ’s morgens op sta, drink ik een glas warm water met een stukje limoen. Dat is lekker en gezond. Wanneer ik het ontbijt klaarmaak, drink ik een glas groentesap. Jazeker, ook al zo gezond… Wat een gezondheidsfreak hoor ik jullie al denken. Maar dat valt best wel mee. Snoepen doe ik ook graag.

Ontbijten doe ik ook altijd volgens een vast patroon. Twee bruine boterhammen (ik hou van het spelt zuurdesembrood van Marqt), de een belegd met kaas, de ander met avocado en tuinkers. Glas uitgeperste sinaasappel erbij en wat losse verse vruchten. Vandaag zijn dat aardbeien en stukjes ananas. Die aardbeien smaken nergens naar. Ik weet het, ik had ze niet zo vroeg in het seizoen moeten kopen maar ze lagen er zo verleidelijk bij.

Als we het niet vergeten, nemen we in het weekend nog een zacht gekookt eitje. (En ja hoor, vandaag weer vergeten.) Tot slot drinken we groene thee. Dat drink ik overigens de hele dag. Bij voorkeur geen zakjes maar getrokken van theebladeren.

Mijn geliefde maakt op deze totaal verregende dag de lunch. Hij kan niet koken, zegt hij, maar er is niemand die zo lekker spiegelei met tomaat kan maken als hij. Zoals gezegd, ik hou erg veel van koken maar ik haat boodschappen doen. Ik doe dat een keer per week, op vrijdag of zaterdag. Dit keer is daar niets van gekomen met het gevolg dat ik niet veel in huis heb. In zulke gevallen kijk ik vaak op www.supercook.com. Je vult in wat je in huis hebt en voila, je krijgt honderden recepten voorgeschoteld.

Vandaag wordt het soep van geroosterde paprika en aubergine als voorgerecht and als hoofdgerecht risotto van gemengde paddenstoelen. Als je zorgt dat je altijd tomaten, citroenen, uien, knoflook, kruiden (ik heb verse kruiden op mijn terras), Parmezaanse kaas en goede olijfolie in huis hebt, valt er altijd iets te maken.

We trakteren onszelf op een fles Fixin. Deze heerlijke rode wijn komt uit de Noordelijke Bourgogne. Ik weet dat toevallig omdat we er gefietst hebben. Nagerechten nemen we vrijwel nooit als we thuis eten.

Maandag 3 mei

Om half vier kwam ik er op weg naar een afspraak achter dat ik nog niet geluncht had. Snel een broodje gegeten bij Stanislavsky in de Stadsschouwburg: ik moest daar in de buurt zijn. Het valt me op dat als je tegenwoordig een broodje kaas bestelt, er altijd een grote hoeveelheid liflafjes bij zit. Simpel een lekker broodje met goede kaas kun je in dit soort gelegenheden steeds moeilijker krijgen. Daarvoor moet je naar de Kaaskamer in de Runstraat.

‘s Avonds de soep van zondag gegeten en ik wilde pasta met broccoli maken. Maar toen ik de broccoli uit de koelkast haalde, zaten er bloemetjes in. Dus werd het Penne Arrabbiata. Heel lekker!

Later een paar afleveringen van de Soprano’s gekeken. Op dvd uiteraard. Wat wordt er in die serie veel gegeten…

Dinsdag 4 mei

Vandaag geluncht op het werk. Wij lunchen altijd gezamenlijk met alle medewerkers. De tafel staat dan vol met zaken als hagelslag en pindakaas maar ook komkommer, sla, avocado en kaas.

‘s Avonds heb ik lamskotelet met couscous en geroosterde pompoen gemaakt. Vooraf sla met ei, walnoten, rode uit en roquefort.

Continue reading “As published by Special Bite”