10/10/2025
Designing Democracy. In Need of New Dialogues
We’re delighted to announce our new exhibition Designing Democracy. In Need of New Dialogues, opening during Dutch Design Week and running through February 2026. This exhibition responds to the growing pressures on democracy worldwide, where national interests often dominate, borders become barriers, and the culture of dialogue yields to debate and diminished listening.
Designing Democracy challenges visitors to rethink how we engage with democratic processes amid division and uncertainty. It calls for a renewed commitment to democratic dialogue. The exhibition features five key works that explore the role of cultural experimentation and activation in restoring democratic values. These works create spaces for uncertainty, questioning, and embracing multiple truths. They offer innovative strategies to rethink engagement, emphasizing understanding over persuasion, and fostering connection across perspectives, disciplines, and generations.
This year’s participants are and their projects are: Dembrane (Governing Bodies), Het Zuidland (Do You Sometimes Wear a Tracksuit?), Milieudefensie X Pinopotato & Robin Tijdeman (Pile of Evidence), Scape Agency (Public Service Companions), and Hannah van Luttervelt (Playing with Weapons). Together, these participants present works that invite visitors to experiment with democratic practices, sparking dialogue and critical reflection on how society can rebuild trust and collaboration.
Alongside the exhibition, there will be a variety of events such as:
- “Redesigning Design Weeks” (22.10.) by Nieuwe Instituut / CIVICITY,
- “Common Grounds 3: DDW Special on Democracy & Citizenship” (23.10.),
- “On Fair Grounds – Starting out! Cultures of Equality” (24.10.) in collaboration with EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture and Design Academy Eindhoven.
- “Where is Product Design Education Headed?” (24.10.)
Additionally there will be works shown by De Algemene Rekenkamer, Emergence Delft, Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, POLARIS – Spelen met Polarisatie by Esther Verhamme & Jennifer van Exel and ARCHIVE OF SMELLS by Cemre Kara.
We will also host The Good Design Shop where visitors can buy products that do not harm the planet, animals or people. The shop opens during Dutch Design Week and can be found all year long at Foundation We Are.
Opening hours during Dutch Design Week:
October 18–26, 2025 | 11:00 – 18:00 daily
Contact and visit information:
Foundation We Are, Torenallee 22-04, Strijp-S, Eindhoven
To sign up for the events use the link below.
