Aperto Chiuso

Opening and closing. This applies to many things in our daily lives. If they are well designed, it is a natural, automatic, unremarked aspect. If things don’t run so smoothly, then they can be the source of considerable annoyance.

Very literally, an infinite number of components, systems or objects make this state possible. Locks, fasteners, keys, door handles, hinges, bolts, remote controls and PC mouses, taps, all manner of buttons and zips, as well as tin openers, corkscrews or even scissors and knives. Not to mention air- and watertight closure systems for storage tins, bottles, saucepans, bags and packaging. Books and folders, suitcases, handbags, umbrellas and parasols, clothes and accessories, folding stools, cupboards etc.: all are regularly opened and closed.
Meters for the gas and electricity or water and the telephone, internet, current account and savings account connections are opened and closed. Archives and databases are opened. Bank branches and administrations, shops and cultural institutions etc. all have opening and closing times. The written language has its capital letters and full stops, exclamation and question marks.
We could go on forever…

There is clearly enough material for ApertoChiuso, then, the exhibition that will open on 6 September and run until 4 November 2012 at the Design Flanders Gallery in the context of Design September.
Open from Tuesday to Friday from 12.00 am to 5.00 pm, and from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm at the week end. Closed on Mondays and official holidays.
Designers and companies
Leo Aerts [Alinea], Wies Dehert & Els Van den Berghen [Award/t], Tine De Ruysser, Simon De Smet & Timothy Macken [MaDe], Tom De Vrieze [tovdesign], Jean-François D’Or [Loudordesign], Nedda El-Asmar & Erik Indekeu [Nedda & VOF], Davy Grosemans [das ding], Frans Hegge [Hegge ID], Linde Hermans [Rode Schoentjes], Bieke Hoet [Hoet Ontwerpbureau], Audi Pauwels & Kitty Spaenjers [Pauwels Spaenjers], Erik Sijmons, Frank Sveid, Hugo Smid [Smidesign], Marc Supply & Anneli Lahtua [Studio Linja], Antoine Van Loocke [Knifeforging], Peter Vanooteghem, Koert Vanoverbeke [Pars pro toto], Peter Van Riet [Studio Peter Van Riet], Dirk Wynants [Dirk Wynants Design Works].
Barco, Beyondsnow, Cabrio Eyewear, Dark, Extremis, Ligne Roset, Monsanto, Rode Schoentjes, Samsonite, Sywawa, Thule Omnistor, Unitron, Vange, Vervloet, Vodafone.