About Behind the Scene

Ahrend's search for essence.

For its presentation during the 2006 Salone del Mobile in Milan, Ahrend asked me to put together an exhibition that would underscore its core values. My source of inspiration was the company’s tireless pursuit of true quality, in its products and services, its relationships and collaborations.

Behind the Scene #01 marks a new step in Ahrend’s search for essence - for true quality. I have invited twelve designers and artists to take part in this exhibition. The common factor in their otherwise diverse work is that they all search – albeit not always consciously – for true meaning behind the ‘as long as we’re having fun’ façade that we all face daily.

In the process, they investigate the significance of things like craftsmanship, identity, solidarity, symbolism, ritual, and globalisation. These are timely themes that influence the ways in which we live and work.

It is striking that to today’s generation of designers and artists, it is not only the result of their work that counts. Above all, it is the way they work – as researchers, directors, team players and providers of inspiration - that shows us how things are changing. The point is no longer to come up with the ultimate solution, but to raise questions and stimulate conversation.

With its research project Behind the Scene, Ahrend carries the conversation forward. Together with designers, architects, artists and others, the company continues to search actively for new insights, in order to translate them into effective solutions for tomorrow.

Diana Krabbendam

April 2006