Industrial Authentics

Press release

Berlin Amsterdam

Rescued East German design comes back to life in old slaughterhouse

Berlin/Ilpendam, May 7, 2013 - Seven months after the launch of their webshop, Blom & Blom announces the opening of a gallery showcasing a selection of their unique lighting fixtures and furnishings. The pieces on exhibition originate from abandoned factories in the former German Democratic Republic, and are brought back to life by the two brothers. The Blom & Blom gallery offers a growing number of customers and fans the chance to see, touch, and experience the rich history of the intriguing industrial artefacts they offer around the world. And what could be a more fitting exhibition space for sharing the legacy of these authentic relics than a former slaughterhouse with its own story to tell. From webshop to gallery It was only a couple of years ago that the Blom brothers discovered the industrial ghost towns of the former GDR and the fascinating array of industrial design they contain. Inspired to give new life to these treasures from a forgotten past, Blom & Blom started with an online shop featuring their carefully restored lighting fixtures and furnishings. Each piece is presented with a ‚passport‘ chronicling its place of origin, and preserving its rich history. Blom & Blom pieces are enjoyed around the world, and can now be found in novel interiors from London to Los Angeles. A gallery where the brothers could present their lamps and furnishings seemed to be a logical next step. Kamiel and Martijn Blom set about looking for a suitable place for their ‘Blom & Blom Gallery’. Old slaughterhouse „By coincidence we found out about the slaughterhouse just 100 meters from our workshop in Ilpendam. “We immediately knew that this would be the ideal place to exhibit our collection“, says Kamiel, the creative half of Blom & Blom. His brother Martijn, who oversees the business side of Blom & Blom, adds: „The space fits in perfectly with what we stand for: to give new life to authentic items with a story to tell.“ The slaughterhouse is part of a former butcher’s shop in Ilpendam that has been for sale since its closure in 2005, and has been made available to the Blom brothers as it awaits its new destiny. The Blom & Blom gallery exhibits a selection of the most unique of the many objects collected in recent years, and includes a pictorial narrative illustrating the rich history for each piece on display. It features from old army chests to industrial switches, but it is the collection of lighting fixtures that are given a place of prominence in the Blom & Blom exhibition. „The fixtures are of such extraordinary craftsmanship“, says Kamiel Blom. „They are originally made for heavy industrial use and yet, the design is so pure and sophisticated.“ Blom & Blom opens the gallery officially for the press and specially invited guests on Friday, May 17th, after which the gallery will be open to the public by appointment.

blomandblom com

press release

Industrial Authentics

Berlin Amsterdam

Press release

About Blom & Blom Blom & Blom was founded in 2012 by two brothers with a passion for forgotten industrial artefacts from abandoned factories in the former GDR. The company collects, restores and redesigns unique industrial lamps and furnishings in order to give them a new life. In keeping the rich legacy of the collection from being forgotten, Blom & Blom provides a ‘passport’ with each product, describing its history and origin. More information about Blom & Blom on the about page and the press page. Also see: www.facebook.com/ blomandblom

blomandblom com

press release