“In my transdisciplinary design studio in Amsterdam, I have been working with the Torus for more than 45 years. For me, this is both an energetic field and a material form, bringing together form and movement; the origin and connector of all other forms that arise in my work, and also the catalyst for collaborations with (among others) musicians, composers, dancers, architects, scientists and engineers. The abundance is constantly unfolding and the possibilities are endless. It is urgent for me to connect with others to find ways to further share this knowledge and possibilities; to find a way to work in deep care for each other and for the earth.”
Maria Blaisse (8 May 1944 Amsterdam) graduated at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy Amsterdam 1968. Two years later she was a participant in the design studio of Jack Lenor Larsen New York. After this she did research on traditions of textile techniques and natural dyeing of fibers in South America for 2 years.
Her projects can be understood as sculptures or costumes. In many cases, it is difficult to determine which is in control: the body or the form. Perhaps more clearly than any other artist, Blaisse resides firmly between the disciplines of art, design, textiles, and fashion. Her work is an investigation of form and material. The results have found homes in the theater, on the fashion catwalk, and in the art gallery.
Her work has been exhibited a.o.in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin, Amsterdam (Stedelijk Museum, Platform21, Gallery Binnen, Gallery Ra), Leerdam (International Glassmuseum), Pica Perth (Institute of Contemporary Arts), Flexible Pan European Art (Austria, Poland, NL and UK), ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Het Kruithuis), London (Craftsmuseum), Kyoto (International Textile Exhibition), Paris (Grand Palais), Stockholm (Kulturhuset), Trondheim (Museum of applied Art), Brussels (Gallery Neon), Lausanne (Biennale International de la Tapisserie).
She gave workshops and lectures in Salzburg (International Summer Academy), Santiago (Design Symposium), Frankfurt (Steadelschule), Amsterdam (Platform21, Rietveld Academy), Arnhem (ArtEZ), Perth (Institute of Contemporary Arts), Delft (TU), Danmark (the Haute Ecole d’Arts Applique Geneve), London (Fashion Institute, Goldsmith College), Salzburg (International Summer Academy), Hamburg (Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe, Hochschule für bildende Künsten) Utrecht (Hogeschool voor de Kunsten), Lubljana (Faculty for natural sciences and technology) Kassel (Gesamthochschule Universität), Hannover (Domotrend), Berlin (Kunsthochsschule Berlin Weissensee) California (California College of Arts and Crafts Berkeley and Davis University) and External examiner MA European Fashion & Textile Design, Paris, Utrecht, Berlin, Helsinki, Brussels and Southhampton.
Work has been published in leading international design books and magazines, among which Selvedge (UK), ITEMS (NL), ELLE WONEN (NL), Techniques & Architecture (F), Abitare (I), Techno Textiles (UK), Issey Miyake (J), Imitation and Inspiration (NL/J), Industrieel ontwerpen (NL), “Interlacing” (US), “The Art Fabric; Mainstream” (US)
Her work has won several awards and nominations, among which: Emmy van Leersum, Design Preis Schweiz, Rotterdam Designprize, Dutch ministery of economic and cultural affairs, Oggetti per Domus.
Reactions to Maria’s work:
By going back to the origin of things, breaking the hierarchy and experimenting with what material naturally possesses in terms of quality, unnecessary, polluting processes can perhaps be avoided. In that light, I see your work, in addition to being culturally very valuable, also contributing ecologically to the future.
– Miek Zwamborn, writing artist
Your work shows the inner dignity in the material. you show that there is a measure and a scale where each material can express itself at its best. Your work shows that beauty, system, and self-reflection, consciousness, are hidden in each material/object. making that potential visible is the added value of your work.
-Mariola Lopez, graphic designer
I am deeply touched by the work of Maria Blaisse….it evokes in me a recognition and a tremendous nostalgia, it’s like nostalgia for the future.
-Herma van der Weide
The lightness I experience in your work touches me. But there is more to it than that. It brings me closer to nature and to the essence of everything. To something you know is always there, but you can’t always reach…
-Marijke Gimbrere
Call it space, call it architecture, call it movement, call it anything that does not fit into a framework than merely its own discipline of dignity.
– Trude Hooykaas, architect
Her work makes visible the life force/energy; the primal forms that underlie life. That touches everyone.
-Akelei Hertzberger, architect
I experience her work as transformative, revelatory and connecting. Natural and non-natural materials are transformed by her recognition of their potential into works that did not exist before. Their clarity reveals the essential construction, breath, tension and energy of nature. In her work, therefore, a continuous coherent movement can be experienced that connects viewer and object in a lemniscate, energetically like life itself.
-Erik de Jong, Artis-professor UvA, Culture, landscape and nature
