Dezeen Magazine

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

Dutch designer and artist Joep van Lieshout talks to Dezeen about his sculptures depicting cannibalism and suicide in this interview recorded at the Carpenter's Workshop Gallery in London, and how "industry itself needs to be saved" so he plans to "start producing from scratch again" (+ audio).

Above: Gastronomy, 2011

In the interview recorded at the opening of the exhibition (listen above), he describes the pieces in the collection titled New Tribal Labyrinth that envisage returning to a more primitive industrial society.

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

Above: Blastfurnace, 2012

The largest sculpture is titled Blastfurnace and depicts industrial elements once used in the steel manufacturing process as part of a shelving unit.

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

Above: Blastfurnace, 2012

Van Lieshout explains how he is planning to build a blast furnace so he can produce his own steel to make into furniture, which he admits will be "extremely expensive".

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

Above: Gastronomy, 2011

"Objects and products became so cheap, it's not a challenge anymore," he says. "People start to look for more special things, things with a soul."

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

Above: Friends, 2011

Van Lieshout is currently working on a large "human-powered saw mill", propelled by up to 16 people running on treadmills.

"Industry itself needs to be saved" - Joep van Lieshout

Above: Joep van Lieshout at Carpenter's Workshop Gallery

Take a look at our previous story about his sculptures here and see all our stories about Atelier van Lieshout here.