Unpopulism
The disconnect of Dutch politics in 74 objects.

An incredible collection of merchandise from political parties of The Netherlands housed at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, formed the centre of Rutger’s focus for the graduation project Unpopulism. The collection features a pile of useful and useless stuff generated by a strive for power in various election periods in The Netherlands. Exactly seventy four were chosen by Rutger from this myriad of items in an editing process that, through careful considerations, birthed its selection criteria. The publication Unpopulism brings together these items in a catalogue format, juxtaposing them to each other in a growing narrative. Through a meticulous editing process a sequence of objects is created by Rutger, the reader is taken through emotions by each turn of page, one will laugh out loud, gasp, shake their heads and the most prevailing emotion — become silent with astonishment.

The publications is carefully edited and designed with a generous index and supplementary material for the reader to immerse themselves in the intricacies of political parties in The Netherlands. A really monumental publication of a special collection brought to life in this catalogue!

- Elisabeth Klement

Printed and bound by Libertas Pascal in Utrecht. Die-cut board (300 gsm) cover and Biotop (140 gsm) with Swiss binding. Unpopulism is a graduation project mentored by Elisabeth Klement and Felix Salut at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in 2024.

Edition of 40.