Maarten Van Severen | Work

In 2004 Terenja van Dijk made a film about Maarten Van Severen (1956-2005) for the eponymous exhibition at Design Museum Gent. Work is the last portrait of the Belgian designer in which he himself appears.

The video follows him on visits to the Van Abbe Museum, the Vitra furniture company and the kitchen pavilion of the Boxy brothers. He also talks about his work at his workshop in Ghent.

Maarten Van Severen bio

With his furniture creations, Belgian designer Maarten Van Severen has created in twenty years' time a consistent and exceptional body of work which is praised the world over for its distinct lines. He worked for major companies in Belgium and Europe.

The basis for his designs is formed by the quest for a crystal clear concept, combined with attention to the technical and tactile aspects of the material used. His work exudes a powerful serenity, far removed from loud, exuberant shapes.

Besides his furniture designs Maarten Van Severen has always had a passion for architecture, which resulted in a cooperation with Rem Koolhaas / OMA for, among other things, residences in Paris and Bordeaux, a library in Seattle and a concert hall in Porto. Maarten Van Severen also made a substantial contribution to the renovation of the Van Abbe museum in Eindhoven. His final construction project was the kitchen pavilion for the Boxy brothers in Deurle.

Director | Terenja van Dijk
Camera | Jess De Gruyter
Editing | Jess De Gruyter & Terenja van Dijk
Sound | Sammy Goemare
Music | Peter Vermeersch
Interviews | Anna Luyten & Chris Meplon

© 2004 Terenja van Dijk & Design Museum Gent
This reissue is an initiative of The Maarten Van Severen Foundation, 2014.
Cover photo © The Maarten Van Severen Foundation