From 18 March to 26 June, Museum JAN in Amstelveen presents the first solo exhibition of designer and artist Floris Hovers (1976). The Art of Playing will present a diverse overview of his applied and autonomous work.

Hovers' designs surprise by their disarming simplicity and the balance between functionality and aesthetics. His works are characterised by basic structures and industrial forms. He designs and makes furniture, lighting, toys, objects and miniatures and is probably best known for his ArcheToys, a series of miniature vehicles. All his works are a result of extensive reduction processes. By leaving a lot out, you get to the essence; what remains must be enough to leave room for the imagination,' says Hovers. 

Photos by Eddy Wenting

Imaginative construction 

In The Art of Playing Hovers introduces you to his world of form, colour and proportion. A world that evolves by playing and exploring. Hovers remembers his childhood with a sense of nostalgia. ‘I used to observe, interpret and then recreate it in my own way - and that is what I still do. As a young boy, I lived in my own little world. I have a longing for autonomy in terms of thought and action. For childlike simplicity'. 

This longing can be recognised in the fantasy city where you can completely 'disappear'. The city is built from wooden scraps and recycled materials, painted in mild, fresh colours. The brightness, playfulness and naivety of the objects makes the whole construction extremely attractive, approachable and recognisable - it makes you want to play in it too.

Floris Hovers

Floris Hovers (1976) lives and works in the town of Raamsdonk, where he also grew up. After a basic course in architecture and training in advertising and presentation techniques in Utrecht, he graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2004. In 2006, he founded his own design studio, and five years later he was awarded the Sanoma Living Award for 'Young Talent'. 

 He has also taught Spatial Design at the art academy AKV St. Joost, and currently teaches colour and composition at the Design Academy Eindhoven. He regularly provides lectures and is a much sought-after guest professor in the Netherlands as well as abroad.