The COLLECTIBLE In-Depth series unveils the backstage world of contemporary design. Today we talk to Niek Schoenmakers, who founded The Millen House, situated in Amsterdam, a burgeoning gallery and project space curated by the architect himself. Their collection seamlessly merges 20th-century and contemporary art with collectible design, emphasizing architectural nuances, craftsmanship, and the interplay between time and medium.

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COLLECTIBLE: How do you see the relationship between late 20th century design and contemporary design? How does one feed one another?

Niek Schoenmakers: Design and art are not created in a vacuum but rather in a constant dialogue of future and past and in conversation with society and the environment. Echos of the past can be found in contemporary pieces, both stylistically and conceptually. At The Millen House we believe in a continuous narrative between objects and art works from different eras, places and styles. They are representative of their individual time but looking from a distance patterns and similarities emerge. Design from the late 20th Century embraced a playful attitude towards product design with unconventional material expression, geometry and clean lines and urge for experimentation fueled by societal change. All of which is echoed in today's contemporary designs.

C: What dialogue are you bringing this year to COLLECTIBLE?


NS: For Collectible 2024 we curated a group show called Jupiter4. Flirting with the geometry of postmodern design from the 1980s this selection focuses around designs from the 1990s and early 2000s, in dialogue with contemporary pieces. It’s a conversation between art and both from established and upcoming creatives. We created an overarching narrative where the objects converge with themselves. Together there is a narrative about us and our relationship with our environment, found in an experimentation with new materials like carbon fibre, to the re-use of wood and an investigation of the perception of real and digital, technology and craft. Dialogues can be found in textile (Weitenberg, Bitar); history (Bakker, Baas), made by hand (Wessels, Planken), the perception of the viewer (Morellet, Schweers) and innovation (Kaptein, Nieuwelaar, Van der Vaart).

C: Why did you start your gallery?

NS: A gallery should be a place for experimentation and dialogue. This was missing in the art scene in Amsterdam, where galleries are mostly focused on one topic: contemporary art, contemporary design or 20th century design. The Millen House breaks away from these borders and sees where they intertwine. The Millen House shows contemporary and 20th century pieces but equally acts as projectspace. We want to create a space for artists to experiment and connect with a wider audience. Next month we will host a concert from a London R&B artist and a salon dedicated to our show Jupiter4 and in April our space will act as an immersive installation for Greet Weitenberg.


C: Can you talk about the designers you present at COLLECTIBLE this year, what makes their practice/pieces unique?

NS: Our presentation Jupiter4 is a group-show, blending upcoming designers next to established artists, with many works made exclusively for this show. Gert Wessels, inspired by a unique bookcase by Jan Rietveld from our collection, created a monumental wall piece in his signature style. Clara Schweers created a large mesmerizing mirror Stretched Veins, Mik Bakker launches her new lounge chair and bench collection while Sandra Keja-Planken shows new pieces in glass and textile inspired by the sounds of nature. Marleen Kaptein is for the first time showing pieces from her Parallax series, including the eye catching PARALLAX I and the delicate Carbon Pendant light, both made from Carbon Fibre.