Kinooni Dialogues – Studio Marcel van Doorn
Kinooni Dialogues is a collection of finely handcrafted luxury carpets, bridging the historical symbols of Swahili culture with the remarkably refined craftsmanship of Chinese weaving with both traditional techniques and new technologies. Studio Marcel van Doorn created an edition of exquisitely constructed pieces with a very modern, contemporary feel. – Marcel is not just an established artist, living between Amsterdam, Paris and Lamu (Kenya), but mostly a visual storyteller whose previous works have been celebrated by many in the worlds of fashion, art and design. His clients include Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Venice Biennale, Ruinart, Vacheron, Swarovski. (text Fiona Makkink)
© CREDITS
- Kinooni Dialogues is a project conceived by Studio Marcel van Doorn – commissioned and crafted by Fuli Carpet (China)
- Artworks Swahili Culture (Africa) – Indigenous Intellectual Property ICIP
- Concept + Creative direction Marcel van Doorn – Design Assistent Sophie Wartenbergh
- Digital Textile Design Tjitske Storm
- Photography Fuli Carpet
For this tribute project Marcel van Doorn commissioned several creatives who each contributed with their specialized skills and creativity, while working with his concept and creative direction. Most graphic artworks are precisely extracted from indigenous art within the UNESCO World Heritage site Lamu, created by Swahili Artists. Some graphic artworks are a remix of these ancestral arts (one is graphic designed by me, and others are graphic designed by Sophie).
From digital to tactile
I was commissioned for my carpet/textile expertise, working as an independent creative, and took care of the digital textile design and detailed technical product sheets of the rugs and tapestries. My significant share included creatively composing and drawing the different tufting and carving techniques, 3D-reliefs in different heights, versatile material effects, embellishments (knottings) and colour implementations. Hereby selecting and combining divergent fiber swatches and specific digital techniques. The initially one-of-a-kind rugs and tapestries are made by the crafts(wo)men from Fuli, while passing through an extensive sample process and adding even more creativity from all.