MATCH OF THE DAY

Diederik Schneemann

October 03, 2021

Conceptual artist and designer from Belgium whose creations often originate from existing items and upcycled materials that give life to new realities that evoke powerful emotions

WHY DO YOU LIKE AND COLLECT MATCHES?

I collect other people’s personal matchbox collections when they have no more purpose for them or when they just stopped collecting. For me, it is all about showcasing a personal collection of someone else. By turning it into an object of design of impressive size, it enables you to look at a collection in a totally different way. If you imagine the time, love, and effort that went into collecting matchboxes you come to appreciate it even more. By using personal collections as a valuable material to work with, you can see the attention and the care that went into making these pieces. I choose to work with matchbox collections because they capture time in a sense. They bring up emotions from that period, as behind every matchbox lies a story. Looking at all the pieces takes you all over the world, from Japan to New York to a camping site in Switzerland.

Matchbox Antique Clock

Matchbox Lord Cupboard

Matchbox King Clock

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ONES AND WHY?

I love the ones that have a special story. Like the one I have from the hotel, restaurant & bar Vista that was located in the plinth of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in New York. Or the matchbox that you get when you fly with the KLM Royal Dutch Airline with the royal sign and plane code on it.

WHEN AND HOW DO YOU LIKE TO ENJOY YOUR MATCHES?

I quit smoking a long time ago but nothing beats lighting a fire with matches.