Circles of Universal Language: a conversation with Clara Schweers
Dutch Design Week 2024: together we explore how to create meaningful connections in ever-evolving Eindhoven
The exhibition ‘Circles of Universal Language’ is presented by the municipality of Eindhoven in collaboration with Dutch Invertuals during Dutch Design Week 2024. This exhibition showcases ten designers who demonstrate the power of universal language in creating meaningful encounters. Through bi-weekly meetings, conversations, observations, and research, each designer contributes their unique perspective and approach.
We speak with Clara Schweers about her ‘In Orbit Always’ project. Clara designed arches that capture rainwater, creating sheltered spaces where people can gather and connect while observing the graceful interplay between natural cycles and their interaction with the material.
“In a city like Eindhoven, where public spaces can feel dominated by hard, high-tech materials, this installation offers a more natural, calming space for reflection and shared experiences.”
Clara Schweers
Clara Schweers blends the digital and tactile in her work. She reinterprets the movements of pre-modelled figures to unveil new qualities derived from their digital origins. By incorporating glass, ceramics, and polished textures, she explores themes of fluidity and permanence, capturing ephemeral forms.
Can you elaborate on your ‘In Orbit Always’ installation and how it aims to create meaningful encounters in Eindhoven?
‘In Orbit Always’ is a public installation designed to foster subtle, organic encounters between residents of Eindhoven. The installation centres around a water vessel, which collects and channels rainwater through a series of arches. This flowing water creates a serene atmosphere, drawing people into the space without overwhelming them. The central vessel and arches invite people to linger, observe, and perhaps exchange a glance or a smile. The installation aims to create a balance between connection and privacy, promoting soft, indirect interactions. In a city like Eindhoven, where public spaces can feel dominated by hard, high-tech materials, this installation offers a more natural, calming space for reflection and shared experience.
‘In Orbit Always’ reflects the dynamic nature of Eindhoven, offering a space where both long-time residents and newcomers can come together and engage with their surroundings in a more personal and peaceful way. I believe this balance between urban progress and natural reflection has the power to resonate with the city’s broader transformation.
Could you elaborate on your creative process and the design and material choices you made? What inspired you to incorporate rainwater as a key element in your installation, and how does the flow of water influence the interaction between people and the design?
The creative process for the project was rooted in the idea of transforming rain—a common element in the Netherlands—into a key feature of the design. The choice to use water came from the desire to create a naturally engaging space, where the gentle sound and movement of water would draw people in and encourage them to pause. The installation’s arches are functional, channelling rainwater into a central vessel, which allows visitors to experience the movement of water up close. Rainwater flows through designated areas, creating visual and auditory cues that guide people to move around the space. The soft, reflective quality of water also enhances the sense of calm, making the space inviting while supporting subtle human connection.
In your view, how does ‘In Orbit Always’ express a universal message? What do you hope audiences will take away from their experience with it?
“The hope is that visitors leave with a deeper appreciation of the space around them and a sense of interconnectedness with both the environment and others.”
Clara Schweers
The universal language of ‘In Orbit Always’ is water, a fundamental and shared element that transcends culture and geography. Water exists in a finite but constantly shifting cycle—it never leaves the Earth, only changes its form. This mirrors the installation’s intention to reflect the cyclical nature of human interaction and renewal. Audiences are encouraged to reflect on the universality of water and its quiet power to bring people together, even in subtle ways. The hope is that visitors leave with a deeper appreciation of the space around them and a sense of interconnectedness with both the environment and others.
Was there a specific insight or lesson from the process that particularly impacted you or changed your perspective?
A key insight that emerged during the process was the realisation of how a simple, everyday element like rainwater could transform the dynamics of a public space. Conversations during the bi-weekly meetings emphasised the importance of creating spaces that invite interaction without forcing it, and this shaped the design’s emphasis on organic, non-intrusive encounters. Research into Eindhoven’s urban environment also highlighted the need for spaces that contrast with the city’s high-tech infrastructure, which led to the focus on water as a natural, calming presence. Additionally, exploring how water behaves in different spaces helped shape the decision to include arches that guide and release water, allowing for a constantly evolving interaction between people and the installation.
Location
Strijp-S area
Ketelhuisplein
Map No. B4
Open
Sat 19 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Sun 20 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Mon 21 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Tue 22 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Wed 23 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Thu 24 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Fri 25 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Sat 26 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Sun 27 Oct 11:00 – 18:00
Access Free
