agnes and anthony creates dream-like paper art installation for Hermès store in amsterdam

designed for the new Hermès crystal houses store in amsterdam, brussels-based duo agnes and anthony has created ‘the dream hunter’ art installation crafted from paper and recycled cardboard. taking inspiration from a spirit called baku, which, coming from ancient japanese folklore, says that if you have a nightmare you can call baku three times and they will come to eat your nightmares. in reference to this, the intervention features a giant furry monster, or dream eater, who is now hunting for dreams in the luxury fashion brand’s window display.

overall view of the art installation in the new hermès store in amsterdam

all images courtesy of agnes and anthony

positioned behind the glass brick facade of the new Hermès store, the installation follows the friendly monster through the night as it hunts for dreams and nightmares in a sleeping city before returning to its magical home deep in the jungle. every element of the work by agnes and anthony is intended to evoke a feeling of a dream-like state. for the design of the setting, they have taken inspiration from the playscape of the japanese-amercian artist isamu noguchi and the dreamy architecture of ricardo bofill. 

close up of the men’s window with a city setting

the other key element of the design is the color palette. the contrast between the rich purple and the bright gradients is meant to give the illusion of the night and to draw passers-by into this mysterious world. in addition, everything in the installation is handmade in paper and recycled cardboard in the duo’s studio in brussels.

close up of the women’s window, with a jungle setting

the paper artwork is designed to draw in passers-by

the friendly, dream-eating monster 

close up of the dream hunter, coated with multi-color, gradient paper fur

gradient details are seen in all the buildings to reinforce the dream like feeling

the tallest building in the window

a little monster is carrying a belt up the staircase

a paper illustration is installed at the back of the window, facing inside the store

the dream hunter sits on the swing, admiring a product while a little monster peeks out curiously

the view from inside the store

a little monster dangles from a parachute

a little monster props up a shoe

gradient effects were applied to all the plants and background elements

the dream hunter being caught in action stealing a hermès product

project info:

installation name: ‘the dream hunter’

location: Hermès crystal houses, amsterdam, the netherlands

design: agnes and anthony

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom