Floris Hovers

Floris Hovers, designer and fine artist

Floris gained international fame with his iconic Archetoys, these miniature vehicles are produced by the Italian design label Magis, and are included in the permanent collection of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

In recent years, Floris has focused more on making free work. The playful dioramas, landscapes and skylines were on display at Gallery Lidewij Edelkoort Paris, Big Art Amsterdam, Gallery Untitled Rotterdam, Le Rivoli Brussels, Object Rotterdam and Galerie Jacques Cerami.

http://www.florishovers.nl/

Interview Floris Hovers - exhibition museum JAN

Floris Hovers is a leading Dutch designer and artist, known for his playful designs and seemingly simple, yet extremely thoughtful designs. Hovers has received a lot of recognition both nationally and internationally with his work. His work ranges from furniture and lighting to toys and autonomous works of art. In this extensive article, we will take you through the life, design vision and influence of Floris Hovers. In addition, we answer the most important and frequently asked questions about Floris Hovers, his design objects, collaborations, exhibitions, iconic designs and sources of inspiration.

Who is Floris Hovers and what is he known for?

Floris Hovers was born in 1976 in Raamsdonksveer, North Brabant. His childhood took place in an environment full of industry, dexterity and creativity, which is later clearly reflected in his designs. After a basic course in architecture and a course in advertising and presentation technology in Utrecht, Floris Hovers graduated in 2004 from the Design Academy Eindhoven, a breeding ground for top designers. In 2006 he started his own studio in his native village. Hovers gained international fame with his project 'ArcheToys': minimalist metal miniature vehicles that reduce the basic idea of cars to its most basic form. These ArcheToys are included in the permanent collection of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, among others, and have been exhibited worldwide. However, Hovers is not only a product designer; he has also been active as a teacher at AKV|St. Joost and the Design Academy Eindhoven, among others, where he inspired students with his practical and intuitive approach. He regularly gives workshops and lectures in the Netherlands and abroad. Floris Hovers has become a phenomenon within the modern Dutch design landscape.

Which design objects did Floris Hovers design?

Floris Hovers' oeuvre is broad, versatile and constantly evolving. Below is an overview of some of his best-known design objects:

• ArcheToys: Minimalist metal miniature vehicles for Magis, grown into an international design icon.
• Bottle boats: (for IKONIC) Playful boats that users can assemble themselves with existing soap and shampoo bottles, in which reuse and the pleasure of simplicity come together.
• Carter Vase: an iconic design for Cor Unum, available in beautiful shades and can be paired with other Carter vases.
• Klaas chair: under the label 'Van Vrienden' you will find the 'Klaas' chair, a chair that Floris designed as a graduation project, where the construction is clearly visible and where no screws or glue are used.
• The 'Duotone Cars': for IKONIC, Floris Hovers has designed a series of wooden cars in his distinctive, colourful and minimalist style.
• Volkskrant bench: A wooden bench in the style of Rietveld's crate chair, which enthusiasts can build themselves on the basis of a free construction drawing (to be found on the site of de Volkskrant). A simple piece of furniture in which function and form come together beautifully and the construction is clearly visible.
• Archiblocks & Wooden Animals: Wooden toy blocks and wooden animals for IKONIC, designed with plenty of room for personal interpretation and imagination.
• Fixum candlestick: A well-known candlestick designed for Vij5, where simplicity and construction are leading.
• Nativity scene: Floris designed a minimalist wooden nativity scene for IKONIC, where the storage box is also used as a stall. One of Floris' best-selling objects.
• Compositions & autonomous works: In addition to applied objects, Hovers also makes free work in which he experiments with colour, form and composition. These works, often landscapes, miniature buildings, models and skylines, are for sale through various galleries, and are often purchased by museums and art collectors.

What characterizes Floris Hovers' design style?

Floris Hovers' design style is immediately recognizable. His work is characterized by a disarming simplicity, clear lines, and powerful use of color. He strives for maximum expression with minimum means. Simplicity is the starting point, where everything revolves around finding the essence without the designs becoming cold or distant. There is always room for playfulness, surprise and emotion. The clear compositions, often made up of geometric shapes, are sometimes reminiscent of the constructions of his youth, in which technical solutions and shades of colour logically come together. Hovers himself calls this the 'evaporation of the superfluous', or the reduction of an object to its pure basis, without sacrificing character or function. Although his work is not minimalist in the strict sense of the word, the result is always functional, cheerful and inviting. The choice of materials such as steel, wood and sometimes ceramics ensures an accessible appearance with a timeless quality. As a result, Floris Hovers' designs are loved by a wide audience, from collectors to families.

What collaborations has Floris Hovers had with well-known brands?

Floris Hovers has collaborated with numerous renowned brands and design labels over the course of his career. The most important collaborations are:

• Magis (Italy): His ArcheToys were put on the map worldwide by Magis, known for spotting and rolling out innovative design internationally.
• IKONIC (Netherlands): almost all the design toys that Floris has designed are in the collection of IKONIC, as well as the famous nativity scene.
• VIJ5 (The Netherlands): For this Dutch publisher he developed the Fixum candlestick, a product where construction and simplicity come together.
• Functionals (The Netherlands): Hovers designed various tables and furniture for Functionals in which his handwriting is immediately visible.
• Cor Unum ceramics: With Cor Unum he worked on ceramic objects that again carry his love for simplicity and manufacturability.
• Label van den Berg, Areaware, Design x Ambacht, Van Vrienden, WOEL: These labels all have products from Hovers in their collection, making his work widely available in the design landscape.

In addition to productions, Hovers often collaborates with galleries such as PostModern, Gallery Untitled and Galerie Jacques Cerami (Rotterdam) and his work has been shown at international fairs and exhibitions. Thanks to his collaborations, Hovers has gained a permanent place in museums, design shops and collections worldwide.

What exhibitions or exhibitions has Floris Hovers had?

The work of Floris Hovers has been exhibited in countless places at home and abroad. Some highlights:

• Solo exhibition 'The World of Floris Hovers' (Drents Museum Assen, 2023), large riverside view exhibition. A book with the same title has also been published about the exhibition.
• Solo exhibition 'The Art of Play' (Museum JAN, Amstelveen 2022): A broad overview of his oeuvre, from toys to furniture and autonomous installations.
• International art and design fairs: Hovers' work has been shown at prominent fairs such as the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Maison et Objet Paris, the KunstRai Amsterdam, Object Rotterdam, Interieur Kortrijk (Belgium), IMM Cologne and ICFF New York.
• Galleries: Gallery Lidewij Edelkoort (Paris), Gallery Untitled (Rotterdam), Le Rivoli (Brussels), and Galerie Jacques Cerami have shown his work in solo presentations and group exhibitions.
• Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: The ArcheToys are permanently included in the permanent collection of this prominent museum. The international success of his exhibitions underlines the timeless and universal character of Floris Hovers' work.

Who are Floris Hovers' biggest sources of inspiration?

Floris Hovers' sources of inspiration are rich and versatile:

Building and playing in his father's shed formed an important breeding ground for his creativity. Making things yourself and discovering materials are experiences that still colour his work.

FlorisHovers is fascinated by industrial processes, the use of standard parts and the beauty of functional constructions.

For Hovers, beauty lies in the familiar; He consciously reconstructs clichés and archetypes because they contain clarity, recognition and deeper meaning.

Other designers and artists: Hovers regularly mentions Dick Bruna, known for Miffy, as inspiration. Bruna's clear forms and minimalist imagery are of great influence. Efteling designer and illustrator Anton Pieck is also one of his sources of inspiration. In addition, his work has been compared to Dutch modern designers such as Gerrit Rietveld and Piet Mondrian, who, like Hovers, focused on simple shapes, colour contrasts and directness in their work.

Facts, figures and social relevance

Since the start of his studio in 2006, Floris Hovers has launched dozens of products, some of which are put into production worldwide. For example, his ArcheToys are sold through Magis in more than 40 countries. His work has been translated into various languages, discussed in leading international design magazines such as Frame, Wallpaper* and Dezeen, and included in design books and reference works on modern Dutch Design. In 2011, Hovers was awarded the Sanoma Woonaward for Young Talent, a recognition for his innovative view on product design. Floris Hovers' designs are loved by a wide audience, from young to old and from design collectors to families. His approach; Simplicity, imagination and practicality, fits seamlessly with current trends such as sustainability and timeless design. As a result, his works are not only sought after as interior pieces or collector's items, but have also gained increasing collector's value in the international design world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Floris Hovers

• Who is Floris Hovers?
  Floris Hovers is a Dutch designer (1976) who became known worldwide for his playful, simple design objects and iconic ArcheToys.
• What are famous designs by Floris Hovers?
  Among others ArcheToys, Bottle boats, Volkskrant bench, Stick lamp, Carter vase and its wooden animals, nativity scene, toy cars and Archiblocks for IKONIC. Free work: Composed Maps for PostModern, Skylines for Gallery Untitled.
• In what style does Floris Hovers design?
  His style is recognizable by simplicity, clear lines and use of color, and a balance between functionality, playfulness and aesthetics.
• Which brands does Floris Hovers work with?
  With Magis, Vij5, Functionals, Cor Unum, Van Vrienden, IKONIC, Areaware, among others.
• Where can I buy Floris Hovers products?
  Online at ikonic.shop, through Manufactum, through design labels and at design stores such as Edwin Pelser, Mud in May, Van Waay and Soetekouw or Nieuwe Oost. His products can also be found at various museum shops such as Museum Voorlinden and the Kunsthal.
• Where have his exhibitions been?
  At Maison Des Arts Brussels, Museum CODA Apeldoorn, Museum JAN Amstelveen, Drents Museum Assen, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, fairs such as Salone del Mobile Milan, Maison et Objet Paris, Object Rotterdam, IMM Cologne and in galleries such as Gallery Untitled Rotterdam and Galerie Jacques Cerami.
• What are his main sources of inspiration?
  Childhood memories, industrial heritage, standardization, clichés and the work of Dick Bruna and Dutch modernists such as Rietveld and Mondrian.
• Can I hire Floris Hovers for a lecture or workshop?
  Yes, he gives workshops and lectures, more info via his website.
• What materials does he usually use?
  Mainly (waste) wood, honeycomb cardboard, metal, ceramics
• Are his products suitable as gifts?
  Yes, especially the playful designs such as the bottle boats, the nativity scene and the wooden animals.
• Is his work for collectors or a wide audience?
  Floris Hovers' design is for everyone; it has great collector's value and is accessible in price, form and functionality.

Comparisons with other Dutch designers

Floris Hovers is often mentioned in the same breath as other big names from the Dutch design world such as Hella Jongerius, Maarten Baas and Piet Hein Eek. Where Jongerius and Baas experiment with shapes and materials and Eek is known for his recycled use of wood, Hovers works with an almost graphic simplicity. His search for the essence and love for recognizable forms place him in the tradition of Dutch Design, where play, imagination and systematics often come together. This distinguishes him within the international design field.

The lasting impact of Floris Hovers

What makes Floris Hovers so special is the way in which he tirelessly searches for simplicity and manages to create surprises. His designs are almost archetypal, but are given a character of their own by his personal handwriting. Thanks to his open mind, technological curiosity and intuitive working method, he always manages to develop surprising concepts that appeal to a wide audience. From museums to family homes, Floris Hovers' design objects can be found worldwide. The fact that his designs are immediately recognized and appreciated by different generations makes a lasting impression on the international design landscape. His work inspires other designers to embrace simplicity and honesty in an age where design is becoming increasingly complex.

Floris Hovers is more than a successful Dutch designer; He represents a vision in which play, simplicity and imagination play the leading role. His work invites recognition and fantasy and is loved by collectors, families and design enthusiasts worldwide. Whether it's an iconic car, a colourful vase or piece of furniture: Floris Hovers' oeuvre proves that true simplicity is the gateway to powerful, timeless and universal design.