about
Due to digitalisation, globalisation, social media and the pandemic, polarisation and alienation take over our society. Soft Connection Lab is looking for ways to restore the emotional connection with each other, and with our surrounding material world.
The starting point of this research project, which is encapsulated within KASK – School of Arts HoGent, is the traditional maypole dance. As this folkloric custom has lead to the development of a braiding machine, Soft Connection Lab wonders if ingenious textile techniques can be retransformed into co-creative performances and healing artefacts.
While conceiving and making are disconnected in our Western industrialised society, Soft Connection Lab researches ways to re-establish a conjunctive design methodology. Inspired by the artisanal textile techniques and the social connection of the maypole dancers or artisans, the team investigates connecting creative methods, which nourish an intangible added value.
The team explores if and how this collective energy stimulates the emotional relation between makers, consumers and objects, and if it, in doing so, functions as a catalyst for sustainability.
Researchers
Doctor Concept Design and Product Development at Keio University Japan and University Antwerp Dirk van Gogh researches and teaches Social Design and Design and Furniture at KASK Ghent. He specialises in educational creation methods, which stimulate sustainable and socially responsible design.
Master Fashion Design at Fashion Academy AntwerpHelena De Smet researches and teaches textile materials and techniques at the fashion department of KASK Ghent. She combines manual, mechanically and digital creation methods.
Master Textile Design at LUCA GhentVeerle Tytgat specialises in the implementation of knitting techniques with interior design, amongst others at Onbetaalbaar and Collectief Textiel. Ecology is at the core of her practice.
Master Textile Design at KASK & Conservatorium / School of Arts GentVera Roggli started her career as a freelance designer in the fashion industry. Nowadays she specializes in Textile Design, and more specifically weaving techniques.
Master Art History at KU LeuvenAs a journalist and curator Elien Haentjens specializes in design, art and architecture. In close collaboration with Dirk van Gogh she wrote the inspiration book ‘Relational Design. Designing an emotional connection as catalyst for sustainability’ (2020).
