Between Borders

All over the world, people cross borders – in search of safety, work, love, or a new future. In the 21st century, more people than ever migrate for political, economic, or environmental reasons. At the same time, travelling has become increasingly difficult for many. Whether a border opens to you often depends on something simple yet powerful: your passport. In the exhibition Between Borders, artists, fashion and jewellery designers, and residents of Arnhem explored how migration, power, and imagination relate to the concept of borders.

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Graphic Design

Dana Dijkgraaf

Exhibition Design

Studio met met

Printing and placing

Idem Dito

Concept exhibition, text and organization

Team Museum Arnhem

Curators

Anne-Karlijn van Kesteren and Manon Braat

Photographer exhibition

Eva Broekema

Concept
Between Borders was presented in two parts. In part one, young fashion and jewellery designers living in the Netherlands showcased work about living and working between two worlds. In the second part, (inter)national contemporary artists and Arnhem locals shared personal stories and experiences of migration and border-crossing. Together, the two parts formed a layered reflection on what it means to move, to travel – and to feel at home, or not.

What did we create?
The design challenge was to translate these complex and deeply personal stories into a visual language that would support and elevate each unique work. We chose the passport as a central design motif – the ultimate symbol of control, identity, and restriction. Graphic elements and typography were inspired by the physical appearance of passports. For the object texts (labels explaining each artwork), we created elegant frames reminiscent of passport pages. For the exhibition titles and thematic spaces, we used typography that strongly echoes the lettering found on passport covers.

In part I, we developed a large, vibrant floor print of blurry, fading borders – forming a colourful landscape on which the fashion designs were displayed. Each designer seemed to stand on their own “island,” shaped by shifting and overlapping boundaries. The colours in the print were inspired by the passports of the participating artists and designers. In the second space, wavy carpets extended the border theme, creating a tactile echo of the visual concept.

In part II, we moved toward a more restrained white cube approach – offering a calm, minimal space that gave full focus to the stories and artworks on display. The contrast between the vibrant design of part I and the contemplative atmosphere of part II highlighted the diversity of perspectives and experiences in the exhibition.

Sparkles
Between Borders became a visually rich and thought-provoking exhibition that connected migration, power, identity and imagination in powerful ways. The interplay of passport-inspired graphics, shifting colour palettes, playful textiles, and minimal spatial design brought each part of the exhibition to life. A project that invites you to reflect on who you are, where you come from – and where you are welcome.

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