Maakbaarheid—a Dutch concept translating to Makeability—is the extent to which something can be realized. In other words, it proposes the question "what can we make?" In a culture where productivity is often considered an ultimate virtue, Maakbaarheid explores the relevance of intentionality, process and context through understanding the layers involved in making.
The starting point of the project is as a series of interviews with various makers through a book, Maakbaarheid: Conversations, which explores perspectives to the question ‘what do you make?’ This starting point remains key throughout the entire project; however, the frameworks which facilitate its existence are equally important and generate multiple interconnected endpoints. For instance, as a way to organize, format and communicate to others about the project, the digital tool Maakbaarheid: Process emerged. Additionally, organizing the physical elements involved—from ideation references to paper samples—materialized another layer, Maakbaarheid: Archive.
While each aspect of the project has a specific focus, all are rooted in themes of technology, identity, connection, limitation and liberation. The infinite layers of Maakbaarheid contextualize what is involved in creating even the simplest endpoint. Through making these structures visible, there is an opportunity to reconsider and possibly redefine the value of making. What do you want to make, and how?