More about »Hella Jongerius: Whispering Things«
Accompanying the major retrospective at the Vitra Design Museum, this publication is the first to present a truly comprehensive overview of Jongerius’s oeuvre—from the 1990s to the present. At its center lies the studio archive of Jongeriuslab, acquired by the museum in 2024. This newly accessible collection of prototypes, experiments, drawings, and research materials reveals the foundations of Jongerius’s process-driven, exploratory way of working.
Richly illustrated and thoughtfully structured, »Whispering Things« traces the development of Jongerius’s design vocabulary across textiles, ceramics, furniture, and interiors. Iconic pieces such as the Polder Sofa, the Coloured Vases, and her Maharam textiles appear alongside recent artistic projects including the Space Loom installations and the Angry Animals. Rare studio photographs, material studies, and detailed object views provide an intimate look behind the scenes, offering insight into the values that shape her work: embracing imperfection, prioritising process over product, and following curiosity above all.
The book brings together essays by Alice Rawsthorn, Glenn Adamson, Paola Antonelli, Marcella Hanika, and Christel Vesters, situating Jongerius’s practice within broader cultural and material discourses. A personal dialogue between Hella Jongerius and Louise Schouwenberg deepens the understanding of her long-term artistic questions and collaborations.
Designed by Joost Grootens, the publication translates the layered, research-driven nature of Jongerius’s thinking into a visual language that is both precise and poetic.
With over 700 illustrations and an extensive work catalogue, »Whispering Things« serves as archive, reference work, and insight into one of contemporary design’s most compelling minds—celebrating a practice that listens closely to materials, histories, and the stories objects can tell.
