Wieki Somers
Encyclopedia
Wieki Somers is a Dutch
designer. She works closely with Dylan van den Berg under the name Studio Wieki Somers. Somers is considered part of the second generation of Dutch designers who have gained international acclaim. Unlike the first generation of Dutch designers, who have focused mainly on conceptual, functional designs, this second generation also recognizes the importance of aesthetics.
In October 2009, Studio Wieki Somers won the Golden Eye (the award for best Dutch design) at the Dutch Design Awards
with the Merry-go-round Coat Rack, designed for the cloakroom
of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
in Rotterdam
. By pulling ropes, coats are raised onto the carousel
-like construction, making them appear to be floating in space. The coat rack was also nominated in 2009 at the London Design Museum
's Designs of the Year
awards.
Other well-known designs by Somers include the High Tea Pot, shaped like a pig's skull and accompanied by a fur cosy; the Bathboat, a bathtub shaped like a rowing boat; and the Bellflower, a two-metre-tall lamp woven out of a single piece of fabric using an experimental weaving technique. In 2007, Somers was commissioned by the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
in The Hague
to design a tulip vase
, Departed glory.
The Rotterdam-based design centre VIVID showed an exhibition of her work from November 2005 to January 2006. From December 2008 to February 2008, the Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch
in Den Bosch presented the exhibition Studio Wieki Somers : thinking hands, speaking things. And in January–March 2010, Galerie Kreo in Paris
presented Wieki Somers: Frozen in Time, an exhibition of objects designed by Somers that were inspired by photographs of an ice-storm in the northeastern Netherlands on March 2, 1987.
Somers graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2000 and then founded Studio Wieki Somers with fellow student Dylan van den Berg. In addition to her design work, she also teaches at Design Academy Eindhoven.
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
designer. She works closely with Dylan van den Berg under the name Studio Wieki Somers. Somers is considered part of the second generation of Dutch designers who have gained international acclaim. Unlike the first generation of Dutch designers, who have focused mainly on conceptual, functional designs, this second generation also recognizes the importance of aesthetics.
In October 2009, Studio Wieki Somers won the Golden Eye (the award for best Dutch design) at the Dutch Design Awards
Dutch Design Awards
The Dutch Design Awards are a series of awards to honor Dutch designers. The awards are handed out during the annual Dutch Design Week in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. A year book and exhibition of the nominated designs are also presented as part of the event...
with the Merry-go-round Coat Rack, designed for the cloakroom
Cloakroom
A cloakroom, or sometimes coatroom, is a room for people to hang their cloaks. They are typically found inside large buildings, such as gymnasiums, schools, churches or meeting halls....
of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is the main art museum in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The museum began in 1847 with the collection of Frans Jacob Otto Boijmans . Much of the museum's original collection was destroyed in a disastrous 1864 fire...
in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
. By pulling ropes, coats are raised onto the carousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
-like construction, making them appear to be floating in space. The coat rack was also nominated in 2009 at the London Design Museum
Design Museum
Design Museum is a museum by the River Thames near Tower Bridge in central London, England. The museum covers product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design. It was founded in 1989 and claims to be the first museum of modern design...
's Designs of the Year
Design Museum's Designer of the Year
Brit Insurance Design Awards, established in 2003 by the Design Museum in London, is the United Kingdom's pre-eminent design award with a £25,000 prize...
awards.
Other well-known designs by Somers include the High Tea Pot, shaped like a pig's skull and accompanied by a fur cosy; the Bathboat, a bathtub shaped like a rowing boat; and the Bellflower, a two-metre-tall lamp woven out of a single piece of fabric using an experimental weaving technique. In 2007, Somers was commissioned by the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
The Municipal Museum is an art museum, located in The Hague, Netherlands.The museum was built by the Dutch architect H.P. Berlage. It is renowned for its large Mondrian collection, the largest in the world...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
to design a tulip vase
Tulip vase
A tulip vase, or pyramid vase, is a vase designed to put cut flowers and especially tulips in, but it primarily serves as a decorative showpiece. They were first made in The Netherlands in the 17th century and were decorated with Delfts blauw or Chinese decoration...
, Departed glory.
The Rotterdam-based design centre VIVID showed an exhibition of her work from November 2005 to January 2006. From December 2008 to February 2008, the Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch
Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch
The Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch is a museum for modern art in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. It focusses on contemporary visual arts and design, and is specialised in ceramics and jewelry. The museum is a member of the International Council of Museums and the Dutch Museum Organisation...
in Den Bosch presented the exhibition Studio Wieki Somers : thinking hands, speaking things. And in January–March 2010, Galerie Kreo in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
presented Wieki Somers: Frozen in Time, an exhibition of objects designed by Somers that were inspired by photographs of an ice-storm in the northeastern Netherlands on March 2, 1987.
Somers graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2000 and then founded Studio Wieki Somers with fellow student Dylan van den Berg. In addition to her design work, she also teaches at Design Academy Eindhoven.