Hôtel Droog

Droog presents in partnership with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), SeeMe and Studio Droog the “All in one carpet – Gafsa region”. This special edition of carpets in various sizes and patterns was designed and executed in Tunisia by four artisans from Gafsa region, one of the most ancient but yet least developed region in the country, and a nesting place for the Jasmine revolution. The carpets will be exhibited at Hôtel Droog in Amsterdam from May 16th – June 2nd.

Studio Droog introduced one of their design concepts ‘The All in One carpet’ as an open format for the four artisans involved. The format, served as an “open yet unifying umbrella” combining local design and execution in diverse styles and techniques. Instead of imposing externally designed patterns, Droog’s approach served as inspiration and guidance, leaving each artisan free to design and execute sections in his or her own style and technique.

The outcome is a family of nine carpets summing up to 20 m2 whose product development process created stronger ties amongst the artisans, reframing historical patterns and techniques in a contemporary context. The exhibition also features other carpets designed by the artisans after the workshop with Studio Droog.

The carpets act as a structure for cooperation revitalizing the region’s ancient glory. Traces of patterns used in the Gafsa carpets go back 15,000 years to the Capsian civilisation. Paul Klee saw in them the first expression of cubism and, during the centuries, they have been influencing many more artists such as Kandinsky and Macke.

Exhibition preview
Where: Hôtel Droog
When: May 16th
Time: 18.00 - 20.00
RSVP click HERE

The project is part of a multi-agency programme in Tunisia funded by the Spanish funds for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG-F), and implemented by UNIDO with the aim of helping achieving full employment for Tunisian youth. The project intervenes along the entire regional value chain of the carpet production, through a series of interventions to ameliorate the soft and hard skills of the artisans while improving their livelihoods, increasing their productive capacity and granting access to new markets.

Fair Design has framed the partnership. Introduced by SeeMe, further explored by Studio Droog, and endorsed by UNIDO, Fair Design advocates for the development of design products that uses local skills and knowledge for promoting sustainable socio and economic growth.

For those who couldn’t make it to Milan this year, don’t worry, Droog will be showcasing all of the best bits from its Milan presentation right here in the heart of Amsterdam. Come and see our latest works, collaborations and initiatives in this curated selection on display only at Hôtel Droog.

Firstly, Rijks Studio, a joint initiative with the Rijksmuseum. Century old works are reinterpreted in contemporary shapes, techniques and materials. A highlight is the famous centre piece by German silversmith Wenzel Jamnitzer, now lavishly decorated with 3-D printed magnetic miniatures of the Rijksmuseum collection. Last year, Rijksmuseum introduced Rijks Studio, a website with 125.000 digital images of the rich collection. All images are freely downloadable for personal creative use.

Secondly, The New Original. With an aim to raise discourse on the future of design, this project uses Chinese copycat culture as a framework for creating a new kind of original. By linking copying to creativity, we hope to demonstrate that the process of copying is clearly more than just mere replication—it can be a real driver of innovation.

In addition, there is the screening of two projects that inspire future design directions. In ‘New Urban Luxuries’ The Why Factory and Droog Lab present five future city concepts, the result of Droog’s expedition to the Canadian Arctic in search of new urban luxuries. Each imaginary city is a manifestation of a quality found in this remote part of the world. With Material Matters Media, TD and Droog Lab present a series of innovative responses to the growing problem of material scarcity by imagining future companies.

Exhibition from May 16th till June 16th

Entree: 7,50 euro
Voor reserveringen klik hier

We all have suffered from a broken heart or two. But while almost every song, book or movie is inspired by the heartbreak, being heartbroken is not really taken seriously in society. Even though, “lovesickness” is really a sickness and studies show that it has an effect on the brain and the heart, it is still something people think lightly about. You can feel really sick, but it's not an acceptable reason not to go to work or to cancel your friend’s birthday party. But while it’s still a taboo in the Netherlands, in other parts of the world we see a hype of divorce parties, and in Japan there even is a divorce ring. Your heart might be broken but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.

Join Liat Azulay, founder of ludduvuddu, as she discusses her dilemma with heartbreak. How can we take heartbreak seriously, without taking it too seriously? How can we make use of the strength and mentality that comes with a heartbreak?

RSVP click HERE
(please let us know if you will be joining for dinner)


Who: Liat Azulay
When: May 22
DINNER 6:00 - 7:00pm (soup 6 euro / salad 9,50 euro / snacks)
IRRITATION 7:30 - 9:00pm (The bar will stay open until 10:00pm)
Where: Café & tearoom ROOMSERVICE (upstairs at Hôtel Droog)

UPCOMING...

IRRITATION #8 / JUNE 5
MISTAKES WITH ERIK KESSELS
Founding partner and creative director of KesselsKramer, photography collector, curator and publisher. 



During the IRRITATIONS series a selected number of fearless speakers stand up and share their most annoying irritation to those willing to listen and react. An informal evening fuelled by a mix of inspiration and frustration, laughter and tears on how just the smallest thing can make life so irritating and how irritation can lead to inspiration.

Droog will soon be taking over the infamous Merci store in Paris for 14 days. Three lucky couples will be offered the chance to stay the night in the Merci Store, where they can sleep amongst iconic Droog products and live the Hôtel Droog experience.

During Paris Design Week, Droog will be providing Parisians with a taster of Hôtel Droog; its new hospitality experience. Hôtel Droog is based in Amsterdam, but the concept can pop up anywhere and will never appear the same. The audience can get an enticing glimpse of its Fairy tale garden, mini Fish restaurant and the One and Only bedroom, together with a magnificent view on the city of Amsterdam. Among the special features for Hôtel Droog’s Parisian residency are Thomas Lommee’s vehicle for multipurpose public transport, a tattoo parlour, and the One and Only bedroom right in the middle of the Merci store. Three lucky couples will be offered the chance to stay the night in the Merci Store. Guests can check in after hours and check-out the next morning at 9.00, just before the ‘hotel’ opens its doors to the public.

Where: Merci @ 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 73003 Paris, France
When: June 4th - June 15th 2013

One of these lucky guests could be you. How? The only thing you have to do is tell us in 1 sentence ‘why you should be the lucky one or two…’ to spend the night with us at ‘The One and Only Bedroom’ rsvp: reservations@hoteldroog.com before the 22nd of May, 2013.