Belgium: Identity matters?

local partner: Z33
lead designer: Erik Kessels
presentation: 2011

Clinging to one’s identity can cause a lot of hardships—stagnation, cultural clashes, alienation and political instability. One of the original six founders and home to the current capital of the European Union, Belgium now holds the world record for the longest period without government. As one of the few countries lacking a quintessential national identity, the Droog Lab believes Belgium could be a model for how individuals, companies and institutions could formulate their future identities. Led by Erik Kessels and in partnership with Z33, the project will explore the value and real potential of (no) identity. Outcomes will be presented in 2012.

Project team
Renny Ramakers, director (Droog)
Erik Kessels, leading designer (KesselsKramer)
Jan Boelen, partner (Z33)

Walter Bettens, consultant (DAMn magazine)
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, consultant (The Khatt Foundation)
Agata Jaworska, editor (Droog)
Andrew Brash & Jorge Manes, lab interns (Droog)

Belgium: Identity Matters? is part of the Droog Lab series, ‘Here, there, everywhere,’ which investigates how people in daily situations worldwide can inspire new directions for the future of design. The initiative is funded by Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, City of Amsterdam and local partners.

Read more about the Lab here.