2013

IRIS VAN HERPEN “VOLTAGE”

Iris van Herpen’s work directly and accurately explores the theme of transdisciplinarity and the hybridisation of knowledge and creative processes as a route to innovation. 
Her creations, especially the most daring ones developed in collaboration with other creatives, can be described as true hybrids that go beyond the boundaries of previously accepted categories. 
They appear to question where the garment ends and the sculpture begins, where synthetic materials meet organic materials. 
Where is the border—if there should be one—between categories through which we search to classify and define different domains of creativity? 
Trans-disciplinarity, the convergence and integration of diverse fields of knowledge and expression (such as art, architecture, fashion, technology, and science), can serve as a prism through which larger social phenomena—both current and forthcoming—are observed. 
Questioning these processes can be a form of art, but in some instances, such as van Herpen’s, fashion can also serve as a valuable tool. 
Her collections, such as “Crystallisation”, “Escapism”, “Hybrid Holism”, or “Voltage”, exemplify how scientific research and artistic or architectural practices can inspire fashion statements, where advanced technologies are combined with sophisticated handcraft. 

Iris van Herpen is recognised as one of today's leading fashion designers in the use of 3D printing. Inspired by the idea of movement, her flexible 3D-printed dresses signify a revolution. This achievement stems from collaborations with Neri Oxman of the MIT Media Lab, Keren Oxman, Craig Carter of MIT, and architect Julia Koerner, in partnership with Materialise and Stratasys. 

Iris van Herpen has collaborated with numerous artists across different disciplines, including choreographer and dancer Nanine Linning, architect Philip Beesley, architect Isaie Bloch, jewellery designer Heaven Tanudiredja, visual artist Bart Hess, milliner Stephen Jones, milliner Irene Bussemaker, shoe brand United Nude (Rem D. Koolhaas), graphic designer Tara Dougans, singer Joey Yung, director and filmmaker Joost Vandebrug, architect Daniel Widrig, and Benthem Crouwel Architects.