EX SITU - Matter in Translation

Heritage as Raw Material for Design

EX SITU – Matter in Translation explores how so-called deselected archaeological material — objects and fragments not selected for museum collections — can regain meaning through design. By approaching archaeological finds such as ceramics, glass, leather, wood, metal, natural stone, mammoth bone, and flint as raw material for design, a dialogue emerges between makers of the past and present and heritage becomes part of new narratives.

The nine renowned designer-artists are:
Judith Bloedjes, poetic artist | jewelry and objects
Lotte Douwes, ceramist | circular use of ceramic waste
Bernard Heesen, glass artist
Willem van Hooff, multidisciplinary designer
Shahar Livne, conceptual material designer
Natasja van der Meer, ceramist | glazing research
Judith Sanders, footwear researcher
Daan Simons, designer-maker | specialist in wood joinery
Matthias Quadekker, blacksmith | forging narratives

Partners

Province of South Holland
The Province of South Holland supports the project in its ambition to make archaeology more accessible and visible to a broad public. By connecting heritage with contemporary design, new forms of public engagement with archaeological narratives is created.

Boskalis Nederland
As the principal sponsor, Boskalis Nederland delivers future-proof solutions within its projects and places great importance on the careful management of archaeological heritage and the reuse of archaeological materials. In doing so, the company supports the preservation of cultural heritage while fulfilling its ambition to deliver projects responsibly and create lasting value for society.

Participating organisations
The deselected material has been made available by the Provincial Archaeological Depot, Archaeology The Hague, Archaeology Rotterdam, Heritage Delft, Heritage Leiden and Region, ADC Archaeology, Archol, IDDS, and RAAP.

Public exhibition, The Hague (2027)

At DDW26, EX SITU - Matter in Translation presents a first viewing of the experiments and objects the nine designer-artists are currently working on.

The public exhibition in 2027 will literally bring together makers of the past and present. The final objects created by the designer-artists will be presented alongside a curated selection of heritage artefacts excavated in South Holland (NL).

See Lab, The Hague
5/2 - 7/3, 2027