Ericthonius: Seed and Sprout

Arkhē and King Erichtonius = Begining

Throughout their studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven, Arkhē was born as a multicultural contrastive design collective shaped by artisan designers and artists. With an identity that aims to embody the concept of "arkhē" (ancient Greek word for “beginning”) its core members belong to a gestating generation of avant-garde designers. "Erichtonius: Seed and Sprout" is Arkhē: Collective endeavour to showcase for the first time each of its members creative universes. With pieces with its own background and narrative, the exhibition will feature a unique, visually intriguing and interactive exhibition. Moreover, it also strives to go beyond a showcase of new designers' talent. Through materiality and story telling, the exhibition aims to stablish an intimate connection with the artist and the viewer. Exploring the struggles, expectations and ambitions that come with youth, it will portray how these elements are shaping the identity and creative persona of a new generation of creative minds. With an exhibition made for pro-designers and the general public, we hope to create an honest, personal tribute to the young self. An identity anybody can, and has related too.

Glass. A performative tool that connects our identities.

Glass will be the centerpiece of the exhibition. Glass can be fragile, brittle and delicate, nevertheless it is also maleable, beautiful and strong if worked with correctly. Arkhē: Collective identifies not only with the beauty of glass blowing, but with its poetic reference about youth, growth and development. For this DDW and in a performative way, “Erichtonius: Seed and Sprout” will display each artist handblowing their designed pieces in an open-space-setting. Guided and supported by Marc Barreda Studio, each of the collective members will shape and craft their glass blown piece few hours everyday, showcasing the beauty of the craft and referencing their ambition to shape their own struggles and identities. Through a material and performative approach, “Erichtonius: Seed and Sprout” will become the awakening moment for this new generation of makers and artists.