Braindrain 2016 (knowledge that is leaving to other places) is a bold couture design by fashion designer Maartje Dijkstra in collaboration with music producer Newk and programmer Neon en Landa. The Dutch (northern) costume period of 1850 was the starting point of this design project, specially made for the exhibition- Groninger dracht meets fashion tech- The sculptural design is build up out of different layers, melted into one story. The black parts of the dress are totally manual 3D printed, meaning using a 3D printer pen as a progressive tool to create fabrics. The structure of the fabric is inspired by Chitin, the building material of exoskeletons of insects, connected by hand with black polyester wires. The golden parts, that revers to the Dutch golden ear-iron from the 1850 time period, are 3D laser printed, shaped out of white Nylon powder, finished with a special golden spray paint. The many golden parts are connected to small motors and LED’s that together for a play of pulses, movements and stroboscope effects all interactive on the rhythms/beats of electronic music by Newk. The movement gives the design an lively feeling, like its breathing, taking in the sound and sending it back into the world. Dark and melancholic electronic music is a big inspiration within her work. For this interactive design Newk used sounds from an old big Dutch church organ and sounds from nature like the sea and ground shoveling to create an ominous soundtrack.
Credits project: Fashion design and styling: Maartje Dijkstra, music : Newk, technology/programming: Neon en Landa, 3D modeling: Vincent Mensink, 3D printing: Oceanz, Credits photo’s: photographer: Ben Vulkers, model: Romie Leegwater, muha: Darien Touma