Handcrafted stage for Dekmantel electronic music festival designed and sewn by artisan in their personal studio
In an exciting turn of events, Johannes Offerhaus, the founder of Zelt Studio, has designed the Selectors Stage for the upcoming Dekmantel electronic music festival in Amsterdamse Bos, Amsterdam's expansive park, from 30 July to 3 August 2025.
Offerhaus, known for his work in textile design, has been expanding his expertise into large-scale spatial experiences over the last three years. This transition is evident in his latest creation, a tent-like stage named CURTAIN 01, which will make its debut on Friday 1 August at the Selectors Stage.
The design process for the Selectors Stage started from Offerhaus's background in small-scale textile design. He aimed to scale up his work, transforming textiles from garments and small crafts into structural and environmental elements. The result is a visually striking, canopy-like tensile structure that offers a unique blend of craft techniques and architectural ambition.
The textile canopy, named Curtain 01, is part of Offerhaus' ongoing research and experimentation into tensile structures and their large-scale opportunities. It will interact with a light design by Zalán Szakács, inspired by 1970s science fiction film sets and rock concerts, creating an interesting interplay and otherworldly feeling.
The curtain, kept in place by steel anchors, is rain-proof and offers shading and designed 'hammocks' for tired festival-goers. Offerhaus aimed to make his installation visually interesting from all sides, even backstage, making it a gateway for the terrain.
Offerhaus found a mentor in Harmen Werkman from the company Tentech, who helped with all his engineering. The light design for the Selectors Stage will create an intricate system of ropes, aluminium, and textile, giving the illusion of the curtain floating effortlessly above the stage.
The Selectors Stage is one of seven stages conceived for the festival by a diverse roster of creatives. The festival features a vast programme of international musical guests, making it an event not to be missed. Offerhaus's design for the Selectors Stage is a testament to his dedication to pushing the boundaries of textile design and creating immersive, texturally rich environments that engage with the festival's atmosphere.
[1] Johannes Offerhaus's Design for the Selectors Stage at Dekmantel Festival 2025 [2] Zelt Studio's Innovative Textile Installation at Dekmantel Festival 2025 [3] The Craftsmanship Behind Johannes Offerhaus's Selectors Stage Design [4] The Evolution of Johannes Offerhaus's Textile Work into Large-Scale Spatial Design
- In addition to the musical lineup, the Dekmantel Festival 2025 in Amsterdam will feature a unique lifestyle experience with Johannes Offerhaus's design for the Selectors Stage, seamlessly integrating fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and technology through a visually striking, canopy-like tensile structure.
- As Offerhaus unveils his latest project, the innovative textile installation named Curtain 01 at the Selectors Stage, it becomes clear that his expertise in textile design has expanded beyond fashion and into home and garden, technology, and large-scale spatial design.
