Benno Premsela (1920 -1997) was a prominent Amsterdammer: designer, administrator, champion of lesbian and gay rights, and the linchpin of a large social circle. His influence on post-war Dutch society is of great importance. In 1956 he founded, together with Jan Vonk, the Premsela Vonk firm of architects, predecessor of what is now Edenspiekermann.
In the ‘Show Yourself’ exhibition, the municipality of Amsterdam’s City Archive paid homage to this colourful personality. Edenspiekermann came up with the concept for this exhibition and was successful in giving Premsela’s versatility its due: his network, his interest in lesbian and gay rights, his work as a designer and window-dresser, his love for art and culture and his administrative influence.
Premsela’s personal archive was literally the radiant heart of this exhibition. This filing cabinet stood in the middle of the room. All the archives inside could be viewed digitally on location. The documents which captured the imagination the best were presented thematically. The glass walls of the space gave the impression of a shop window, and were a reminder of Premsela’s past as chief window-dresser at De Bijenkorf.
The colour pink was a recurring one in the design; Benno’s favourite colour and a reference to his homosexuality. Red Van Besouw carpet ran through the space as a ‘red’ theme. The Lotek lamp from 1982 is another important source of inspiration. We used the interfacing material of the Lotek lamp in combination with Van Besouw carpet 3108 to depict a huge toilet roll. Premsela was an ardent collector of coloured toilet paper, which served as inspiration to him.
‘Show Yourself’ is the proof that you can display a person’s personal records in an adventurous way. The exhibition in the Amsterdam City Archive ran from February to April 2008.
Edenspiekermann realised ‘Show Yourself’ together with art history bureau D´Arts. Premsela’s biography was published simultaneously with the exhibition by Thoth publishers, designed by Edenspiekermann.
