‘Stuffed’ is the initiative of a group of young, as well as established, designers, artists and entrepreneurs based at Strijp S in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. During Milan design week, they  presented works inspired by the historical collection of animals belonging to the Milieu Educatie Centrum Eindhoven (MEC). Together with a selection of the MEC’s collection.

Animals have not only been the starting point, but also a part of the exhibition. Anne ten Donkelaar, Anthony Kleinepier, Christoph Brach & Daniera ter Haar, Dries van Wagenberg, Franke Elshout, Guus Kusters, Josine Beugels, Keukenconfessies, Lisette Verkerk, Maarten Kolk, Marjolijn Mandersloot, Rogier Walrecht, Snodevormgevers and Thijs Bakker each gave their own interpretation to the subject. Stuffed has become a journey though the world of taxidermy, skin, living environment, the beauty of life and death, appearance and science.

The MEC owns a large collection of objects. What started as a bird collection grew to become a broad assortment of more than 70.000 pieces. Most of the animals are from the Dutch province of Noord- Brabant and have historical value. During the year only a few of them are exhibited while the rest remain a well-kept secret to the public. This consists of mammals and birds which are being carefully preserved in dozens of closets in the attic, insects are drawn up perfectly in glass frames, there are drawers full of eggs, and somewhere, you’ll find a lost amphibian in preservation liquids; Together they form a perfectly preserved biotope. This historical archive formed the basis of the exhibition that will be presented at ‘Dutchness’.

‘Stuffed’ was exhibited for the first time during the ‘Dutch Design Week 2008′ . As most of the initiators are alumni of Design Academy Eindhoven it feels well to connect Stuffed to the renowned institute.

Peep - Raw Color ( Daniera ter Haar & Christoph Brach )

This photo-series is playing with the perception of stuffed birds. These animals led their life and are now nothing more than an image of themselves. They are no longer flying or whistling. Masked by their former voice they are revealing themselves in a different view. Through a mix of color, letters and image the series evolves to an universal form of language. In their Studio in Eindhoven they are working on free projects and commissioned work, mixing the fields of material, photography and graphic design.

Gentleman’s chamber 1953 - Snodevormgevers ( Mander Liefting & Josef Blersch )

Gentleman’s chamber 1953 is a fusion of nature and interior, traditional elements from a gentleman’s chamber are brought back to their essence and are reinterpreted from the point of view of the animals.
The fireplace , the liquor cabinet ant the stools are made out of tree trunks, or that how it appears to be. On a closer inspection you will notice they are actually made out of plate steel.

Project Domestic Habitat / Designer Dries vanWagenberg