In the footsteps of Jan Jansen - 60 years of shoes & Dutch Design
The exhibition 'Inspired by the shoes of Jan Jansen - 60 years of shoes & Dutch Design' opens at Museum JAN in Amstelveen. This exhibition showcases six decades of iconic work by shoe designer Jan Jansen, together with work by Dutch designers. For more than 60 years, Jan Jansen has been a master of colorful, extravagant, and groundbreaking shoe design. He gained worldwide fame with his unique method and technical constructions that defy gravity, such as the 'floating heel'. His work is seen as a source of inspiration for generations of designers after him.
The exhibition celebrates the extensive oeuvre of this designer—who turns 80 this spring—and draws parallels with the work of, among others, couturier Ronald van der Kemp (RvdK), product designers Lex Pott and Mae Engelgeer, and fashion talent Lisa Konno. With this exhibition, Museum JAN offers a platform for young talent and demonstrates the cross-generational influence that Jan Jansen's work has had. Shoe designer Jan Jansen (Nijmegen, 1941) has thousands of designs to his name and is a fashion icon both at home and abroad. His shoe designs combine comfort and craftsmanship with innovative design and a touch of humor. It is therefore not surprising that Vogue Italia affectionately calls him "the crazy shoemaker." An explosive use of color is characteristic of every shoe he creates. Jan Jansen is an intuitive designer who pays no attention to fashion trends, which he expresses in organic, playful shapes and experimental use of materials. In 1973, he designed his famous 'Bamboo Shoe': a shoe with a high bamboo construction as a wedge heel. To minimize waste, Jan Jansen reuses his lasts and the remaining leather is processed into patchwork and details that adorn his shoes. Shoes and Dutch Design: A selection of iconic shoe designs by Jan Jansen highlights striking aspects of his design style. Next to each shoe hangs work by designers with a similar style or working method, or who have been inspired by the famous shoe designer. His patchwork, for example, shows similarities with the way Ronald van der Kemp reuses his fabrics. Bas Kosters' cheerful, colorful collections are in line with Jansen's use of color. Fashion designer Karim Adduchi's outfits, made from traditional Berber woven carpets, are a modern interpretation of an ancient craft, an aspect that characterizes Jan Jansen's craftsmanship. And the way David Laport defies the laws of nature with his pleats that stand upright like 'skirts blowing in the wind' is reminiscent of the famous 'floating heel'. One of the museum's exhibition rooms presents an overview of Jan Jansen's work spanning a period of 60 years. Lisa Goudsmit is the guest curator of the exhibition and has selected the work of the Dutch designer.
The designer's memoirs were published in a limited, signed edition especially for the exhibition. This book was available exclusively in the museum shop, but is unfortunately sold out. However, the regular version of 'Werken - De memoires van Jan Jansen' (Works - The memoirs of Jan Jansen) is still available in the museum shop. The design of the publication was done by his son Lok Jansen.
VIDEO EXHIBITION
Watch the video in which shoe designer Jan Jansen talks enthusiastically about his work and gives you a preview of the exhibition 'Op de leest van Jan Jansen - 60 years of shoes & Dutch Design'.
Curious? We look forward to welcoming you!