Change is the word of this time, change in politics, change in behaviour, change in how we look at the world. But what is needed to change a system? Where do we start? And who starts? Alternatives from the Unexpected is the name of this talk, but also the name of the exhibition of designers that were curated to take part in GLUE 2025. Change may come from the wing beat of a butterfly, and from designers who challenge the expected. Around the table we have four designers with unexpected ideas: Fleur Ouwerkerk, Nora Taher, Kurina Sohn and Floor Merjenburgh.
This talk is moderated by Marsha Simon.
About the artists
Floor Merjenburgh
In her work, Floor is continually searching for the coincidences that arise when working with different materials and techniques. This fascination leads to a natural design process, in which her intuition takes the lead. She is curious about the properties and behaviors of materials and researches various applications. In a controlled manner, she explores the limits.
Nora Taher
Nora Taher is an artist and graphic designer whose interdisciplinary work bridges themes of identity, cross-cultural dialogue and storytelling, drawing inspiration from her Dutch-Egyptian heritage. A 2023 ArtEZ graduate, her medium-agnostic approach spans textiles, photography, graphic design, and immersive installations that invite reflection on cultural narratives. Taher has exhibited her work in group shows across the Netherlands, including To Each Their Own at Museum Arnhem. Her published works and commissions reflect her commitment to fostering dialogue about belonging and the narratives we carry with us and highlight her dedication to fostering connection through material exploration and shared histories. By blending historical, natural, and symbolic influences, she uses her practice to explore belonging and inspire dialogue across cultures.
Kurina Sohn
Kurina Sohn is a multidisciplinary designer from South Korea, currently based in Amsterdam. She explores diverse realms and narratives through a poetic approach, resulting in projects that range from sculptural objects to immersive installations. Inspired by the unknown, she delves into the limits of our understanding and the possibilities that lie beyond.
Fleur Ouwerkerk
Fleur Ouwerkerk (1986) is a visual artist based in Amsterdam. Her work explores the
relationship between identity and appearance through mixed media, including
photography, drawings and handwoven work. This results in layered portraits, tapestries and Wearable Art. Fifteen years ago, when first shaving off her long hair, Fleur got in touch with the role and significance that hair plays in how people perceive beauty and femininity. This experience marked the beginning of her fascination and appreciation, -maybe even obsession- for hair and resulted in the creation of her handwoven Wearable Art and objects, made from (synthetic) hair.
