Textile artist and scenographer Isabel Brems brings softness where you least expect it: on the concrete floors of nightclubs. K(n)ussens, a modular pillow installation, was born out of Isabel’s Master’s at KASK, her role in the FINTA collective Burenhinder, and her continuous exploration of how textiles and touch can offer care and connection. Blending textiles, inspiration from nature, nightlife, and community, K(n)ussens represents an ongoing effort to reclaim public spaces as places where bodies can not only move but also rest and pause amid loud environments.
What first drew you to textiles, and how did that evolve into a deeper practice?
I wanted to work with my hands, to really feel and create. At first, I didn’t know where that would lead me. My search brought me to textiles, and I fell in love with the process and longevity of the materials. A whole world opened up when I learned about tracing a thread back to its origin - how a molecule, plant, or plastic can be processed into yarn. It made me realise how disconnected we have become from the things surrounding us. With all the distress in the world, I believe that through textiles, touch can help us reconnect with each other and the materials we use. I am also very inspired by Ernesto Neto, I like how his work taps into our senses and nature. If you see his work, you’ll understand how it resonated with me.
A whole world opened up when I learned about tracing a thread back to its origin
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Can you tell us about how you bridged your interest in nightlife and your Master’s project? What made you center touch and comfort in nightlife?
During my studies, I started a collective with friends called Burenhinder. We were organising events in a mostly male-dominated field and wanted to create something more inclusive in terms of space and representation for FINTA artists. Navigating the events we organised while finding a way to incorporate my Master’s project led me to K(n)ussens. I always missed somewhere comfortable to sit at a party amid the cold floors and cigarette buds, so I wrote my thesis about how textiles affect club spaces. I wanted to create a space with pillows that people could lie on, lean into, or use as a preemptive safe space. It’s a step ahead of the ‘care area’, which is often hidden at most clubs. We started noticing that many people used the pillows to rest throughout the night. Nightlife can be intense and unpredictable at times, so it’s an additional layer of comfort.
Nightlife can be intense and unpredictable at times, so it’s an additional layer of comfort
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You mentioned that textiles are materials that we seek in times of distress. How do you think this emotional quality changes how we experience your installations?
I think textiles naturally influence our mood and senses; they can offer comfort in many ways. I am exploring how to add more textures like rubber, latex, hairy materials, cold and warm elements. For example, a Master’s student created a glove for people with dementia to address the unease and sensory distortion they often feel. I am inspired by how the heat from the glove soothes and calms the sensory nervous system. Textiles are more than just aesthetics; they can ground and support us as well.
Textiles are more than just aesthetics; they can ground and support us as well
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How would you describe your experience at KASK and its influence on your artistic practice?
KASK became a place where I grew up, I spent six years there. It wasn’t always easy because the program pushes and challenges you, but it gave me the right tools and critiques at all the right moments. The school shaped me as I shaped the pillows - a very long process. The department actively questioned and adapted its practices to better support student needs. KASK offers a diverse range of classes, which helped me find my way and figure out what I wanted to create.
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How does nature influence your design process, and what role does sustainability play in your material choices?
I know it may sound cliché, but nature inspires me deeply. The colours, curves, and swirls all come from the natural world around us. Architectural spaces, especially clubs, can be a bit angular, and I’m still discovering how to soften that and create a womb-like environment with an installation. We need more spaces aligned with what nature offers, so this work can extend beyond clubs. I always try to use recycled materials whenever possible. For K(n)ussens, I knitted nature-inspired motifs and patterns. I also used old mattresses and hand-cut the filling, which is time-consuming but part of being in touch with the process.
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Were there any challenges or surprises you faced while bringing such a calm space into a loud and fast-paced environment?
One challenge is at times, things can get a bit chaotic in a club, which can be a bit tough on the installation. The nightlife scene also often faces budget constraints, but I am trying to find the perfect modular system that can make it as efficient as possible, given that it’s a lot of work that gets taken down after one night. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised when a neurodivergent person told me that the installation helped her take a breather in the middle of a night out. I remember thinking - this is exactly why I do this.
it’s not just about my safe space; it has to be everyone’s too
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Looking ahead, where do you see your work going further?
I want to take K(n)ussens anywhere - even the most unexpected places and different types of events. I imagine a kind of soft ‘cubicle’ that can be placed in parks, schools, or hospitals, which is why it has to be modular. I also enjoy hosting workshops to involve communities in creating these spaces. Before events, I usually invite people to think together about building softer spaces and learning where the textile materials come from. I want to leave room for trial and error, so it’s an ongoing conversation - it’s not just about my safe space; it has to be everyone’s too.
<div class="editorial-banner"> <div class=“editorial-credits”> @isabelbrems<br/><br>Different Class and KASK & Conservatorium are teaming up for a series of artist portraits, featuring some of the interesting alumni and student profiles. <br/>Check the agenda and visit this year's graduation show!<br> schoolofartsgent.be</div></div>
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