Atelier Mark Cloet has been in existence for about 30 years. As an artist, Mark is steadily working with knowledge of his craft, with research and mastery of materials, with respect for craft and tradition, but also open to new techniques and new materials. This attitude is also reflected in his way of life, his way of cooking, the way he deals with his environment, how he deals with the work of others.
We want to bring this same devotion to the store: respect for the articles we carefully select, where necessary with the help of third parties to reinforce our knowledge, respecting the space in which we display things and those who help us make it happen.
In times when varied retail is less and less present in the streets, we are starting a new “sales-production” house, a “project” store. The intention is to make good and beautiful consumer goods accessible to a diverse audience. Designers can present their latest products there in their artistic or technical context, and each new collaboration brings about a new article developed by the initiators together with the featured designer, “Article No.” and a serial number.
“Article No.” has therefore become the name of the store, a name that refers to the items that will be developed , put into production and sold. (x,y) is the name Mark and Janna have been using to name their products for some time now. X and y are points, but in combination the points x and y form a plane , let’s call it a “support surface.” In this way we promote research, collaboration, deepening and connection: strengthening by bringing variable points together to form a plane of support.
Janna Huyghe is the daughter of a knife dealer. Parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were knife sharpeners and knife sellers, now the 4th generation, started in Bruges in the 19th century. Frank Huyghe, Janna’s brother, ran the store in Ostend that his grandfather started in the Alfons Pieterslaan. In our store in the Keizer Karelstraat, we have reserved a nice place for some carefully selected knife series. This choice has to do with tradition, transmission and love for the products.
Found or already used items can also find a place in the shop. Sorted under the rayon “objets trouvés,” quality objects are undusted to receive a new appreciation, out of respect for matter and maker.
The city is becoming a place of modest but pleasant living for people who appreciate culture, tradition and innovation. Ghent has a pleasant tradition of new initiatives, both in hospitality, design, fashion and simply as a pleasant city. Article No.’ hopes to find its place in this.
Exhibition: Article No. 12, 14, 15 and 16
Nocturne on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 November with reception from 17h to 22h
