Celebrate the publication of the book Expansive Bodies: Contesting Design at Het Nieuwe Instituut with the institute’s former artistic and general director Guus Beumer, its art director Maureen Mooren, author Brendan Cormier and others. The book is a richly illustrated overview of eight years of idiosyncratic exhibition design at Het Nieuwe Instituut.

Author Brendan Cormier will lead a discussion on the role of the designer in exhibition-making, as design is covering an increasingly expanding domain. Joining him will be Guus Beumer, Maureen Mooren, and designers Rudy Guedj, Koehorst in ’t Veld, Ira Koers, Gabriel .A. Maher and Moniker for an evening exploring multidisciplinary practice and design as research.

The book consists of an oral history of Het Nieuwe Instituut as told by 15 practicioners, an illustrated account of the institute’s exhibition history, and 16 essays commissioned by the institute, each exploring different ideas about cultural practice and the expanded ways in which design operates and makes an impact today. Brendan Cormier, Senior Curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, wrote and compiled the publication. Maureen Mooren invited seven designers to each design a chapter. Johannes Schwartz photographed the exhibitions.

Expansive Bodies: Contesting Design at Het Nieuwe Instituut is published by nai010 and appears in a Dutch and an English edition.

At Het Nieuwe Instituut, we follow the Museum Association’s protocol for safe museum visits. As of 25 September 2021, a corona pass is required for all events. You can read more about the guidelines for visiting here.