An Interview With Monica Sanders
Make everything you do in the best possible way, whatever it takes. So don’t make just another crappy thing, just because it’s recycled.
According to the University of Colorado, “Those who are most affected and have the fewest resources to adapt to climate change are also the least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions — both globally and within the United States.” Promoting climate justice is an incredibly important environmental responsibility that is slowly becoming more and more recognized. In this interview series, we are talking to leaders who are helping to promote sustainability and climate justice. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Maarten Baas.
Progressive denim experts G-Star RAW has formed an alliance with the acclaimed Dutch artist and fashion design innovator, Maarten Baas, to create a highly anticipated exhibit focused on sustainability and society’s dilemma of consuming more in a world where the future relies on consuming less. This first-of-its-kind exhibition, entitled “More or Less” is unveiled inside the beautiful 17th century church of San Paolo Converso in Milan during Salone del Mobile at this year’s Milan Design Week (April 18–23). The exhibition features a 15-meter-long private jet and a series of cabinets in the shape of jeans, all made entirely from recycled denim waste.
Maarten Baas’s international recognition arrived with Smoke, his graduation project at the Eindhoven Design Academy. The collections Clay and Real Time consolidated his name and position as an artist making functional objects embracing a practice that is unconventional, rebellious, and playful. He has established an independent position in the field with a multidisciplinary body of work including product and interior design, architecture, public art, limited editions, performance, and art. His work is found in numerous private and major museum collections, including the MOMA, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Rijksmuseum, among others.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in various parts of the Netherlands, as the 3rd child of 4. I remember playing in the dunes, when we lived near the sea. My parents gave us a lot of freedom, and encouraged creativity and autonomy. My family is connected with each other very strongly. I was good at school, but I didn’t really like it. When I was 7, I went to the head of the school to discuss why school is obligatory and whether I could just skip school. My teenage years were fun and very free, living in the countryside. All my friends lived in farms or other big houses, where we could party. I was always creating things, painting my room, customising my bicycle, building my own guitar and so on. When I discovered art and design schools, I knew I was going to do that.
Everyone has a cataclysmic moment or marker in their life which propels them to take certain actions, a “why”. What is your why?
When I was 15 years-old, I saw a great exhibition by Bill Viola. I saw that and I thought: this is what I want. Telling stories through visual art, presenting it nicely, creating beauty and provoking some thoughts felt like my thing to do.
You are currently leading the way in making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you are trying to change?
I don’t have any pretension to lead a way. I’m just as guilty, or innocent, as other consumers, and I think everybody should make their own balance. There’s no black and white, or good or wrong. Probably that would be my only message: to find nuance rather than polarisation.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your plight?
I think the story with G-Star is great: they actually wanted me to use their recycled jeans to make something. I wanted to make a statement, by making a private jet, the symbol of luxury and consumerism. We had some discussions about how to do this, because it was not an easy statement to make. By showing this in a church, with classical music, I hope it makes people contemplate and think. G-Star promotes creativity and art, as part of their mission. I really respect that, especially since this one took them a bit out of their comfort zone. It’s great that a big brand dares to do that.
Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
For me Jurgen Bey was very important as a teacher. At that time he was a well known designer for Droog Design. He had a very clear way of storytelling through his art and design works. That’s what inspired me. At the same time, as a person he was an endless source of beautiful references, and poetic visions on the world.
What does climate justice mean to you? How do we operationalize it?
I’m just an artist who makes pieces. My commentary to society is wide. Sometimes it’s about how people think, or about how people spend time, or how people are seeking attention. It’s mostly just a reflection of what I see around me, without a particular opinion from me. This time it’s such a reflection about how we relate to sustainability.
Science is telling us that we have 7–10 years to make critical decisions about climate change. What are three things you are doing to help?
The only thing a human being needs to do is being the best version of him/herself, whatever that might be.
Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you in your mission?
Hmmm. Who said I have a mission? And what would that mission be?
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
G-star is a good example of a step in the right direction. Besides their actions to repair or upcycle, they had the guts to show their dilemma as an industrial producer. They obviously need to sell jeans, but they also want to make the right choices. They’re bold saying they don’t pretend to be the best in class, but they’re trying what they can do, just like anyone else. To show this like how they did this year, needs guts. That’s what companies need.
This is the signature question we ask in most of our interviews. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started promoting sustainability and climate justice” and why? Please share an example for each.
1 . Buy your own land. (I bought 13 hectares of land in Portugal, where we already planted over 80.000 trees. It will be artist in residence, called ‘Downtown Palmela’
2 . Convince brands to come out their comfort zone (see my previous answer)
3 . Make everything you do in the best possible way, whatever it takes. So don’t make just another crappy thing, just because it’s recycled.
4 . Whatever you do, organise it in such a way there’s enough mindspace to be good for others and yourself.
5 . Name always at least three reasons why you’re possibly mistaken by what you think is right.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Let’s say Elon Musk… and probably people won’t be happy about my answer but I would like to meet him for lunch.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
Instagram @maarten.baas and www.maartenbaas.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
About the Interviewer: Monica Sanders JD, LL.M, is the founder of “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in underserved communities using good tech and the power of the Internet. She holds faculty roles at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders also serves on several UN agency working groups. As an attorney, Monica has held senior roles in all three branches of government, private industry, and nonprofits. In her previous life, she was a journalist for seven years and the recipient of several awards, including an Emmy. Now the New Orleans native spends her time in solidarity with and championing change for those on the frontlines of climate change and digital divestment. Learn more about how to join her at: www.theundivideproject.org.
How Maarten Baas Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate Justice was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.