DAMN° 90 - Spring/Summer 2025

DAMN°90: On Signature

What does it mean to leave a mark? A bold flourish of identity? A quiet trace of something larger than oneself? In this issue, we explore the idea of the signature in all its forms — personal, collective, visible, and subtle.

From design and art to culture and crafts, a signature can be many things. It can be a clear and confident statement of self, a gesture that carries the distinct imprint of its maker. But it can also be an echo — of tradition, of shared experience, of place, memory, and collaboration. Sometimes it’s loud and unmistakable; other times, it’s quiet, coded, or collective. Either way, a signature is never just about style. It’s about meaning. It tells a story, often one that spans generations.

DAMN°90 comes to you with a new aura. Its design is more dynamic, more visually engaging, and more in tune with the richness and complexities of the subjects we cover. One of the most exciting changes is the introduction of a central section: Artist Pages. This is a space dedicated to a single feature, different each time, offering a leading creative voice the opportunity to showcase their work and delve into the forces that shape their distinctive approach.

In this inaugural issue, the spotlight is on Muller Van Severen — the celebrated Belgian design duo whose work blends playful minimalism and emotional resonance. Their practice is steeped in family, shaped by place, and fuelled by intuition. Each of their pieces reflects a fluid dialogue between past and present, discipline and spontaneity. Their story is a vivid example of how a signature can emerge from collaboration, tradition, and a quiet kind of rebellion.

DAMN°90 also invites you to reflect on your own signature — the traces you leave behind, the beliefs you embody, the traditions you honour, and the rules you break. How do you leave your mark?