This autumn, design is coming right to your fingertips with SAY MY NAILS, an experimental pop-up nail salon taking over DING Vitrine at Design Museum Gent. Mentored by Berlin/Karlsruhe-based designer Lizzy Ellbrück, Brussels nail artist Chloé Momi and Ghent-based queer collective Bebe Books, four young talents are set to showcase their bold, imaginative nail art. From celebrating fierce women to exploring gender dynamics in nail culture, each artist/designer brings their own unique narrative to the manicure table. Here's what to expect.
Che Go Eun
24.10.2024 – 27.10.2024
Che Go Eun fuses her skills in digital imagery and drawing with a newfound passion for nail art. For the pop-up, she draws inspiration from ‘Sagunja’, an ancient East Asian art practice that highlights the four noble plants: plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo, each embodying unique virtues. Che Go reclaims this tradition, historically dominated by men, and breathes new life into these symbolic plants using technology. With 3D printing, she creates intricate nail designs that honour the beauty and significance of each plant while merging heritage with a contemporary twist.
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Emese Veszely
31.10.2024 – 3.11.2024
Emese Veszely’s work is a badass tribute to women who are taking charge in industries traditionally dominated by men. From female bodybuilders to truck drivers and construction workers, these women are breaking stereotypes and redefining strength with undeniable style. In the nail salon, you can get stiletto nails with muscle patterns. Yes, you heard that right: nails with six-packs. While you’re at it, dive into a curated selection of books celebrating muscular women and their relationship with glamour.
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Enid Stassyns
07.11.2024 – 10.11.2024
Creative Enid Stassyns invites everyone to embrace their playful side through nail art. Because let’s be real: those cheeky peach designs just won’t cut it anymore. But no worries, Enid cranks it up a notch by transforming your nails into a tiny playground of texture, colour and even sound. With her meticulous touch, she layers beads and crafts intricate figures like whimsical flowers and quirky animals, resulting in nails that are as visually captivating as they are satisfying to touch and tap.
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Maryam Alirezabeigi
14.11.2024 – 17.11.2024
Maryam Alirezabeigi dives into the intriguing world of communication within nail salons, examining how our hands shape body language and sexual expression. She highlights how different nail styles convey distinct messages. Long, sharp red nails exude confidence and power, while short, rounded ones offer a gentler touch. Through her blend of humour and thought-provoking sound art, Maryam invites us to critically explore the stories our nails tell. Her work reveals the complex narratives often interwoven with gender dynamics. It is a captivating look at how something as simple as nail art can carry profound meaning.
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<div class="editorial-banner"> <div class=“editorial-credits”> @designmuseumgent <br/> SAY MY NAILS <br/> 24.10.2024 - 29.12.2024 <br/> DING Vitrine, Design Museum Gent <br/> Free entry designmuseumgent.be </div></div>
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