Three Dutch artists have successfully transformed the simple childhood pastime of kite-flying into a sophisticated art form that now graces museum walls and international exhibitions. Bertjan Pot, an industrial designer, along with still-life photography duo Maurice Scheltens and Liesbeth Abbenes, have created Kite Club, a collective that began on Instagram and has evolved into a museum-worthy artistic practice.

The trio recently completed a two-week residency at The Hague's Museum Voorlinden, where they established a temporary kite studio and helped guest artists construct their dream kites. Each day of the residency featured new collaborations, with colorful motorized flying machines soaring overhead while curious visitors observed the creative process. The artists then took their handmade creations to the nearby dunes for test flights, turning the entire experience into a public art performance.

Kite Club's origins trace back to 2017 when Scheltens posted a photo of a rectangular Japanese Kaku Dako kite he had made during a camping trip using nothing more than a garbage bag, tape from his car, and bamboo sticks he found on site. This simple post caught the attention of Pot and Abbenes, sparking what would become a years-long creative collaboration. "For two or three years we were just sharing kites with each other on Instagram," Pot explained. "Details of kites, or knots, pockets and connectors."

The artists have developed a distinctive signature style characterized by bold, busy designs constructed from ripstop nylon with carbon-fiber frames. Their growing collection, produced at their respective studios in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, draws heavily from Asian influences, particularly the insect and kimono-shaped kites produced in Japan. Pot admits to having a particular obsession with fringe elements, describing some of his creations as "Japanese with Mexican vibes." His pieces often feature elaborate patterns, especially since discovering he could tie-dye the materials.

While Pot finds inspiration in quilts and textile technologies, the photography team of Scheltens and Abbenes focuses more on incorporating images and messages into their designs. Their creations include kites featuring giant rotary fans and block letters that appear to blow away in the wind. "They're really carefully cut so when the kite is flying the letters are sort of blowing away," Pot noted, demonstrating the technical precision behind their seemingly playful designs.

The artistic practice has also become deeply personal for the creators. Pot famously proposed to his now-fiancé by flying a kite that read "Marry Me," followed by another that said "Okay." "I tricked him into it," Pot joked. "Since he didn't let go I think we have a deal." The group has also used their kites for more serious purposes, creating traditional hexagonal designs as protest banners for a Gaza solidarity march, and Abbenes made a portrait of her mother to fly at her ash-scattering ceremony.

The meditative quality of kite-watching plays a significant role in their artistic philosophy. "Watching a kite is a kind of meditative moment," Abbenes observed. "Just looking at it, seeing it move." Scheltens compared the experience to watching a campfire, highlighting the hypnotic and contemplative aspects of their art form.

Kite Club represents an unbridled creative outlet for the group, free from commercial constraints. "We already take a lot of freedom for our projects, but these kites give even more freedom because there are no clients involved," Scheltens explained. Despite their different primary professions, the practices aren't entirely dissimilar. "Often I wouldn't represent myself as a photographer but more like a builder in the set," Abbenes noted. "It involves a lot of textiles."

The collective has gained significant recognition in the art and design world. Their work has been exhibited at Amsterdam's NDSM Wharf and featured prominently in Gucci's Bamboo Encounters display at this year's Milan Design Week, where graphic still-life compositions and psychedelic patterns fluttered through the shaded walkways of Chiostri di San Simpliciano. They have also published a photobook titled "One Single Kite" ($35), which chronicles each stage of their making process with vivid colors enhanced by light box photography.

Environmental consciousness has become increasingly important to their practice. The artists have developed "Easy Kites" using waste plastic and tape to build translucent polyhedrons with long striped tails. "We hardly throw out any plastic anymore," Abbenes explained, describing how she recently rescued hot-pink marshmallow packets destined for disposal at the museum, transforming them into an umbrella-shaped kite that glows brilliantly when backlit by the sun.

The collaborative spirit extends beyond the core trio to include other artists and designers. During their museum residency, conceptual artist Willem de Haan successfully flew his "For Sale" sign kite, inspired by Amsterdam apartment blocks being sold before construction is completed. "That's what's nice about kite flying," Pot observed. "It's much more generous in sharing ideas than most art or design projects that I'm aware of."

Looking ahead, Kite Club's next major project shifts focus from their own creations to honoring the collection of British kite enthusiast Malcolm Goodman, who has amassed more than 1,000 kites at his house in Teesdale. The collective is designing a traveling exhibition and accompanying book for Goodman's collection, which includes everything from Indonesian leaf kites to three-dimensional silk butterflies, and tiny 5mm kites that retired Samurai warriors made from straw and tissue paper to fly over hot stove steam. The exhibition will open at Rotterdam's Kunsthal in May.

While the artists don't typically sell their kites commercially, they remain open to the right opportunities. "The short answer is no, and the long answer is yes but it's not cheap," Pot admitted. "If we feel that somebody really wants it and we also feel that it's the right person for it then we can always talk about it," Scheltens added. However, their primary goal remains encouraging others to create their own kites, as evidenced by pin badges produced for the Voorlinden show proclaiming both "Go Fly A Kite" and "Make A Kite."

Despite the joy of seeing their creations soar, the artists find equal satisfaction in the construction process itself. "Of course, the first time we lift up the kite and it flies, that's a magical moment," Abbenes reflected. "But I think the making is more important to me." This philosophy encapsulates the essence of Kite Club – transforming a simple recreational activity into a meaningful artistic practice that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design sensibilities.