Oode: Where Young Designers Meet Forgotten Art
We met Marleen Kurvers, founder of Amsterdam's OODE Gallery to talk about the idea behind blending young Dutch design with “orphaned art” – forgotten pieces left in storage due to museum closures. Marleen aims to restore these neglected pieces, showcase young designers, and shed light on the significant cultural losses caused by budget cuts.
What inspired you to start OODE and combine young designers and contemporary artists with orphaned art?
I wanted to raise awareness about our Dutch heritage, not only through product design. As I searched for unique items with meaningful stories, I fell in love with orphaned art.
How do you personally define ‘orphaned art,’ and how do you select the orphaned artworks and contemporary pieces that feature in your gallery?
Orphaned art consists of beautiful, intriguing pieces left forgotten in storage due to the closure of museums or art centers. We give them a new life at OODE. Supporting contemporary artists is also crucial to us, so we wanted to bring these two worlds together in OODE. We select pieces based on their aesthetic quality and how they complement our contemporary designs and artworks. We aim to show the timelessness of these orphaned pieces in a modern context.
Can you tell us about your collaboration process with young artists? How do they contribute to the gallery’s collection?
The orphaned artworks, often from the seventies and eighties, tend to be vibrant and expressive. With contemporary pieces, we aim to find a balance, creating surprising and harmonious combinations.
What are some of the challenges you face in running a gallery focused on both orphaned art and new design
It’s challenging to convey the story of orphaned art while also being accessible. We display pieces in an eclectic mix rather than separately, so maintaining focus on both collections can be tricky.
How do you believe OODE influences the local cultural scene in Amsterdam?
We hope to make art more accessible and highlight the value of these “lost” pieces, while also supporting young, local artists.
How would you describe your clientele, and how do you engage with them to promote the adoption of orphaned art?
Our clients are young collectors and art lovers who see beauty in imperfection and appreciate artworks with age and history. Most discover us through social media, primarily Instagram, and we’re fortunate they often promote us among friends and family.
Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re particularly excited about?
We don’t host specific exhibitions at OODE, but we frequently update our collection. Every two months, I explore our storage, and I’m always excited to share new discoveries. Recently, Laura Scheringa launched her Pasty collection, which is quite thrilling.
Do you have any personal favorite pieces in the gallery? If so, what makes them special to you?
I love our graphic artworks from the seventies, as they’re often structural and play with light and shadow. I call them eye candy!
Do you have any educational initiatives or community outreach programs to raise awareness about orphaned art?
Not specifically, but we tell our story through publications and our own channels. When visitors come to OODE, we enjoy sharing the importance of rescuing these artworks.
How do you envision the future of OODE? Are there any new directions you’re considering for the gallery?
It would be wonderful to host more gatherings for art-minded people at OODE, highlighting specific orphaned or contemporary collections. While we’re currently based in central Amsterdam, perhaps another space in the future could be on the horizon. Stay tuned!
Oode Gallery
Singel 159A
1012 VK Amsterdam
Open Friday & Saturday 12.00 - 17.00
Other days by appointment only.
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