Pols Potten: Family of Things

Description

The title refers both to the creation of the Pols Potten company and to the familiarity of traits apparent in the most iconic products the firm has sold and produced since its foundation in 1987. The authors started research for this story, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the business, by interviewing owners Jan Wolleswinkel and Theo Grootendorst. During one of these talks a strange, somewhat nostalgic analogy to an Italian circus movie (probably by Fellini) occurred to them. Imagine a troupe of acrobats, clowns, musicians, directors and odd helpers seated around a large table in the middle of the ring, enjoying a simple, delightful meal, drinking and discussing the evening's performance. Although a metaphor like this fails to exactly explain the complete business history, it helps to picture the playful nature of the portfolio and the driving force of Pols Potten as an extended family of mixed characters, balancing creative and entrepreneurial instincts, producing small furniture, accessories and objects in workshops around the world that deliver atmosphere and joy to homes globally.

Toon Lauwen has written and co-produced 14 books on architecture and design for publishers like Phaidon, Joost Elffers Books NY, and published 3 under his own WOTH; ways of thinking label. As a curator he was commissioned by Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, MOTI, NAi &c. and exported design exhibitions to the USA, Australia, New Zealand and several European museums and venues. Mary Hessing is the epitome of the creative director. After Libelle, the largest women magazine in Holland working as a deputy editor in chief, she headed Dutch Design magazine Eigen Huis & Interieur and interior decorating magazine More Than Classic for over 6 years and gave them the contemporary look and feel that they deserved. The restyling of EH&I by Pentagram NY was rewarded with a an American Golden Ozzy award and Mercur Art-direction (NL) in 2012.