Guest Interview n° 14: Ines Kaag
Ines is co-founder and one of the two minds of Bless
What is Bless?
Trying the impossible and the whole thing in a stylefree way
When did the project start?
Unofficially through a friendship in 1993. Officially, as a company, in 1997.
How many people are working on it, and where are you based?
Ines is based in Berlin with a team of 3 permanent and 2-3 occasional members. Desiree is based in Paris with a team of 2 fix and 3-4 loose members.
How did you decide to be so involved with events all around the world?
We didn´t decide it, they simply came along.
What is, in your opinion, the most innovative country right now?
It’s quite difficult to speak in terms of country about innovation. It has more to do with people, I think.
Research is a fascinating field, but we have the feeling that interesting people are rather spread all around the globe, and often it has nothing to do with their nationailty.
What gives you the most satisfaction?
Motherhood, aikido & in creating a “real” bless product.
Describe your spirit in three words…
Stylefree, uncool, honest.
What’s your next step?
The n°40 presentation in March in Paris. After that a big single show at the “Kunsthaus Graz” , Austria, in may 2010.
Where do you get the inspiration for your design pieces?
They come along out of the blue.
Which kind of fabrics do you use most frequently?
Natural fibres.
Why, in your “manifesto”, do you see Bless like a woman?
Because we are 2 women and we were looking for a symbiosis of the 2 of us within all our existing characteristics and possible desires.
Where, and who, would you like to be in 10 years?
Not really somewhere else, but definitely having more personal time and less work.
The best historical era?
Always the one right now.
The worst problem of our planet?
The fustration of the individual, followed by resignation that it certainly takes more than one person to change the world – wich of course is not really true and just a
lame excuse.
3 songs?
– “Silent night, holy night”
- “Ines” by Eric Truffaz
- “Desiree” by Laura Nyro
A recipe?
2 bundles of broccoli leaves (for 4 persons):
Time: 15 min
¾ of a cup of olive oil
2-3 chunk of garlic cut in big pieces, taking the green out
1/2 big fresh green and 1/2 chili pepper
2 vegetarian würstel for person
½ glas of water
Fry for 2-3 minutes, in a big pan, on small flame, garlic and chili pepper. Wash well the leaves in a big pot of water, not only rinsing under the current water. Take off leaves from the trunk and throw the rest away. Add broccoli leaves and salt. Stir leaves with your hand after 5-10 minutes. Serve and savour.
A behaviour to follow?
Instinct
And one to avoid?
Fear to failure
By Silvia Bergomi | pics courtesy of Bless (the first two pictures portray Ines, third and fourth Desiree)
