The Stedelijk Museum presents The Gijs+Emmy Spectacle
From 22 Feb to 24 Aug 2014
“The Stedelijk Museum presents The Gijs+Emmy Spectacle, Fashion and Jewelry design by Gijs Bakker and Emmy van Leersum. The exhibition is based on a legendary fashion show presented by the artist duo Gijs Bakker (1942) and Emmy van Leersum (1930–1984) in 1967.”

The perfect shapes inspired by the geometry of industrial plants intercept the human body and confine it increasing its beauty.


As the posture of models is modified, the acting is surreal and majestic.
The space suits are just weird, sexy in an alien way. – Focus on the picture on the background – The genitals of the models ar deformed by the metal wire in the suit and gain a pure and beautiful form. The natural junctions are replaced by the archetype of a robotic junction.

Forcing the concepts in contemporary categories, Gijs+Emmy work should inspire the new ( and not strange to us) relation with technology. Everyday products have to fit to shape restrictions (due to functionality) and don’t bend to usability criterion and as a result they tend to change us. Need an example? The posture of the model of the next generation inflatable helmet designed by Hövding resembles the one of a Kayan Lahwi woman.