Advance Lab at Cluster London: Code & Craft Exhibition
From November 28 to 30, 2025, Advance Lab made its mark at the Cluster Contemporary Crafts Fair: Code & Craft, held at The Swiss Church in Covent Garden, London. This forward-thinking event, gathering over 50 international artists, delved into the fusion of computation and craftsmanship—where digital code transforms into physical matter, redefining material production. Founded by Luc Nijman, Advance Lab was part of the "CODE&CRAFT - ENCODED BODIES (2025)" section, translating graphic design principles into wearable objects at the crossroads of code, craft, and the human body.
Post-Symbolic Vision: Redefining Design
Advance Lab's practice is rooted in post-symbolism, a philosophy that frees design from inherited hierarchies and cultural pretenses. It rejects superfluous ornament and gratuitous abstraction, prioritizing clarity, precision, and authenticity. Materials are selected for their real utility—not symbolic value or artificial scarcity. Precious metals like gold, silver, and diamonds are avoided, as they often perpetuate conflicts, human exploitation, and environmental destruction without adding objective quality to the design. Instead, the focus is on honest, functional forms that communicate viscerally, enhancing human interaction and experience without needing interpretation.
As Luc Nijman states: "I wanted it to be intentional." At 24, with no prior experience or contacts in the field, being curated for such an event was an honor. "We want to lead the path to a radically new approach of design," emphasizing work that exists at the intersection of code, craft, and body—functional accessories that are immediate, striking, and accessible.
Event Recap: A Convergence in Covent Garden
Curated by Cluster Crafts and Valeria Del Vacchio, Code & Craft showcased innovative makers blending technology with tradition. Advance Lab's installation captured the event's essence: a giant 40x40cm stainless steel piece echoing calcite formations, set against an ambiance of silence that made time feel suspended. Authentic connections formed as visitors engaged with the pieces, marking the first public outing for designs straight from the lab, like the VX-3.0.
The exhibition wasn't just a display—it was a statement on how digital logic informs industrial processes, creating objects that bridge the virtual and tangible.
Highlighted Pieces: Encoded Bodies in Focus
The Encoded Bodies collection embodied post-symbolism through limited-edition pieces crafted with specialized manufacturers. Key works presented in London included:
- VX-3.0 Ring: This precision-molded stainless steel 316L ring features eight angles and a quiet signature inside. Dimensions: 2.4x2.3x1.6cm. Priced at £49, it was created specially for the exhibition, blending ancient echoes with modern engineering.
- VX-1.6 Pendant: A new design debuting at Code & Craft, this stainless steel 316L piece fosters a subtle dialogue between object and wearer. Dimensions: 3x3.4cm. At £99, it exemplifies intentional, layered sophistication.
- VX-1.5 Pendant: An existing staple refined for the event, in stainless steel 316L. Dimensions: 3.9x2.6cm. Priced at £119, it highlights enduring form and function.
These pieces, limited editions unique to the expo for the VX-3.0 and VX-1.6, were not mere accessories but extensions of the body—engineered for clarity and impact.
Sustainability: A Long-Term Commitment
Transparency drives Advance Lab's approach. The Carbon Transparency Report, published online in December 2025, details cradle-to-lab emissions as low as ~0.10 kg CO₂e per piece—verifiable and conservative. Processes emphasize no-waste precision-molding, using materials like stainless steel 316L for their durability and real-world utility, avoiding environmentally destructive alternatives.
Looking ahead, as products gain traction, investments will flow into superior sourcing and materials, ensuring designs built for decades align with a responsible vision. Sustainability isn't an afterthought; it's foundational to creating objects that last without compromising the planet.
Explore Encoded Bodies
The vision unveiled at Cluster London lives on. Discover the Encoded Bodies collection and Advance Lab's ongoing experiments at advancelabshop.com.
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