Frans Molenaar Prize 2025

Constructivist Triptych

In 1989 Frans Molenaar created an art presentation titled Constructivistisch Drieluik. In this project, three creative minds come from a wide range of disciplines: artist Bob Bonies, composer Simeon ten Holt and couturier Frans Molenaar. Minimalism in optimal form.

Bonies' strict constructivist paintings inspire Molenaar to create about twenty ensembles, each with a clear plane division. Each creation is a three-dimensional elaboration in fabric of a specific Bonies composition.

The basic color of all creations is white to which color accents in primary colors and some green areas have been added. Molenaar translates Bonies' geometric, abstract lines into playful surfaces, casual draperies and wide square, as well as high and pointed head coverings.

0:00/1:34

The paintings and clothing are exhibited in the stables of the Centraal Museum Utrecht: high and spacious rooms that Molenaar is very pleased with. His creations are, as it were, immersed in a repetitive soundscape of Simeon ten Holt's famous and beloved composition Canto Ostinato, performed on 4 pianos. The live recordings, which will later be played continuously in the exhibition, took place during the well-attended opening in Utrecht. During the opening, Molenaar's creations are shown by models standing on small stages near the works of art.

The three art disciplines naturally reinforce each other. Pure minimalism in which abstract shapes and motifs shift in a refined way and surfaces and colors tilt to the ever-changing musical patterns. Molenaar brings these shapes to life in his designs, if only by creating movement by being worn. The successful exhibition is also shown in The Hague and travels to Japan in the company of the artists. Dutch fashion has rarely been so international.

In the autumn of 2015, Dutch fashion is extensively highlighted in the versatile exhibition Ode to Dutch Fashion in Kunstmuseum The Hague. Couture designs by Frans Molenaar are widely represented. Even more special is that a number of original designs for the Constructivistisch Drieluik were shown during the opening. The models paid a fitting tribute and final greeting to the passionate and skilled maker, who passed away in January of that year.

Credits

1989 - Opening exhibitio

'Constructivist triptych'

Centraal Museum Utrecht

By Frans Molenaar,

Bob Bonies and Simeon Ten Holt

1989 - Exhibition

'Constructivist triptych'

Centraal Museum Utrecht

By Frans Molenaar,

Bob Bonies and Simeon Ten Holt

Sketches 'Bonies-dresses'

by Frans Molenaar

Canto Ostinato (1979)

for four pianos (excerpt)

Simeon ten Holt

Source: Simeon ten Holt Foundation

1989 - Exhibition

'Constructivist triptych'

in Japan

Constructivist

Triptych

In 1989 Frans Molenaar created an art presentation titled Constructivistisch Drieluik. In this project, three creative minds come from a wide range of disciplines: artist Bob Bonies, composer Simeon ten Holt and couturier Frans Molenaar. Minimalism in optimal form.

Constructivist Triptych

In 1989 Frans Molenaar created an art presentation titled Constructivistisch Drieluik. In this project, three creative minds come from a wide range of disciplines: artist Bob Bonies, composer Simeon ten Holt and couturier Frans Molenaar. Minimalism in optimal form.

Bonies' strict constructivist paintings inspire Molenaar to create about twenty ensembles, each with a clear plane division. Each creation is a three-dimensional elaboration in fabric of a specific Bonies composition.

The basic color of all creations is white to which color accents in primary colors and some green areas have been added. Molenaar translates Bonies' geometric, abstract lines into playful surfaces, casual draperies and wide square, as well as high and pointed head coverings.

0:00/1:34

The paintings and clothing are exhibited in the stables of the Centraal Museum Utrecht: high and spacious rooms that Molenaar is very pleased with. His creations are, as it were, immersed in a repetitive soundscape of Simeon ten Holt's famous and beloved composition Canto Ostinato, performed on 4 pianos. The live recordings, which will later be played continuously in the exhibition, took place during the well-attended opening in Utrecht. During the opening, Molenaar's creations are shown by models standing on small stages near the works of art.

The three art disciplines naturally reinforce each other. Pure minimalism in which abstract shapes and motifs shift in a refined way and surfaces and colors tilt to the ever-changing musical patterns. Molenaar brings these shapes to life in his designs, if only by creating movement by being worn. The successful exhibition is also shown in The Hague and travels to Japan in the company of the artists. Dutch fashion has rarely been so international.

In the autumn of 2015, Dutch fashion is extensively highlighted in the versatile exhibition Ode to Dutch Fashion in Kunstmuseum The Hague. Couture designs by Frans Molenaar are widely represented. Even more special is that a number of original designs for the Constructivistisch Drieluik were shown during the opening. The models paid a fitting tribute and final greeting to the passionate and skilled maker, who passed away in January of that year.

Credits

1989 - Opening exhibitio

'Constructivist triptych'

Centraal Museum Utrecht

By Frans Molenaar,

Bob Bonies and Simeon Ten Holt

1989 - Exhibition

'Constructivist triptych'

Centraal Museum Utrecht

By Frans Molenaar,

Bob Bonies and Simeon Ten Holt

Sketches 'Bonies-dresses'

by Frans Molenaar

Canto Ostinato (1979)

for four pianos (excerpt)

Simeon ten Holt

Source: Simeon ten Holt Foundation

1989 - Exhibition

'Constructivist triptych'

in Japan

Constructivist

Triptych

In 1989 Frans Molenaar created an art presentation titled Constructivistisch Drieluik. In this project, three creative minds come from a wide range of disciplines: artist Bob Bonies, composer Simeon ten Holt and couturier Frans Molenaar. Minimalism in optimal form.

Constructivist Triptych

In 1989 Frans Molenaar created an art presentation titled Constructivistisch Drieluik. In this project, three creative minds come from a wide range of disciplines: artist Bob Bonies, composer Simeon ten Holt and couturier Frans Molenaar. Minimalism in optimal form.

Bonies' strict constructivist paintings inspire Molenaar to create about twenty ensembles, each with a clear plane division. Each creation is a three-dimensional elaboration in fabric of a specific Bonies composition.

The basic color of all creations is white to which color accents in primary colors and some green areas have been added. Molenaar translates Bonies' geometric, abstract lines into playful surfaces, casual draperies and wide square, as well as high and pointed head coverings.

0:00/1:34

The paintings and clothing are exhibited in the stables of the Centraal Museum Utrecht: high and spacious rooms that Molenaar is very pleased with. His creations are, as it were, immersed in a repetitive soundscape of Simeon ten Holt's famous and beloved composition Canto Ostinato, performed on 4 pianos. The live recordings, which will later be played continuously in the exhibition, took place during the well-attended opening in Utrecht. During the opening, Molenaar's creations are shown by models standing on small stages near the works of art.

The three art disciplines naturally reinforce each other. Pure minimalism in which abstract shapes and motifs shift in a refined way and surfaces and colors tilt to the ever-changing musical patterns. Molenaar brings these shapes to life in his designs, if only by creating movement by being worn. The successful exhibition is also shown in The Hague and travels to Japan in the company of the artists. Dutch fashion has rarely been so international.

In the autumn of 2015, Dutch fashion is extensively highlighted in the versatile exhibition Ode to Dutch Fashion in Kunstmuseum The Hague. Couture designs by Frans Molenaar are widely represented. Even more special is that a number of original designs for the Constructivistisch Drieluik were shown during the opening. The models paid a fitting tribute and final greeting to the passionate and skilled maker, who passed away in January of that year.

Credits

1989 - Opening exhibitio

'Constructivist triptych'

Centraal Museum Utrecht

By Frans Molenaar,

Bob Bonies and Simeon Ten Holt

1989 - Exhibition

'Constructivist triptych'

Centraal Museum Utrecht

By Frans Molenaar,

Bob Bonies and Simeon Ten Holt

Sketches 'Bonies-dresses'

by Frans Molenaar

Canto Ostinato (1979)

for four pianos (excerpt)

Simeon ten Holt

Source: Simeon ten Holt Foundation

1989 - Exhibition

'Constructivist triptych'

in Japan

Constructivist

Triptych

In 1989 Frans Molenaar created an art presentation titled Constructivistisch Drieluik. In this project, three creative minds come from a wide range of disciplines: artist Bob Bonies, composer Simeon ten Holt and couturier Frans Molenaar. Minimalism in optimal form.