Talking Through Matter

The evening opens with a lecture by alumna Lotte Douwes (Meaningful Matter), who will reflect on building a purpose-driven practice within an industry not yet ready for it. A roundtable discussion will follow bringing together tutors, and other representatives from the academy to unpack assumptions, trade-offs, shared responsibilities and to collectively rethink what we reproduce and how it might be redesigned. The discussion will be moderated by Marsha Simons, who will help us reflect together. We invite all humans and non humans present to engage in the conversation to reflect, recognise and open up what we unconsciously reproduce, to gain insights and redesigning it together. 

Developed in collaboration with DAE as part of the ‘Seeds of Change’ programme, this event explores possibilities for multispecies-serving making: where matter is not a backdrop or resource, but an active participant in how knowledge is produced, practices are shaped, and responsibilities are organised. 

Starting from the proposition “Human influences matter, matter serves species,” we ask: How does biomatter inform pedagogy? Who are we designing for, and what kinds of institutions do these relations require? 

At DAE, we tend to work as a learning community that turns complex societal questions into shared inquiry, concrete practice, and institutional responsibility. But in a world with limited resources, what does this mean? 

Lecture Speaker - Lotte Douwes (Meaningful Matter)  

Meaningful Matter is a Rotterdam-based sustainable ceramics studio at the intersection of design, production, and material innovation. We’re pioneers in transforming the traditional, linear ceramic industry into a circular, local, and socially inclusive process. As a design-led studio, material innovator, and production house, we’re building a regenerative ceramics industry.  

We turn ceramic waste into high-quality interior products, lighting and tableware collections, while creating meaningful job opportunities for people who face barriers to employment. By collaborating with partners across the chain — from thrift stores to restaurants, designers to retailers — we’re sparking a movement that goes far beyond sustainability.  

Moderator - Marsha Simons 

Marsha is a Dutch independent moderator and programme maker in the creative industries with bachelors in design and performing arts. She is known for unconventional, sincere questions. Through empathic, interactive conversations, she generates new insights on relevant topics. 

For as long as Marsha can remember, she’s felt that things should be different. Last decade, interviewing people on a mission weekly, taught her that things can be done differently. She also learned that it doesn't happen by itself. More importantly, cross-disciplinary collaboration is crucial for change.