Gee and Edson founded Patta in 2004. Fifteen years later, they’ve collaborated with every major streetwear label there is and have expanded their horizons beyond their initial dreams: an Asian tour, a new shop in Milan, or a collaboration with the renowned Dekmantel festival are just some of the things they’ve done in 2019 alone. “When we don’t have this excitement anymore, we’re gonna stop”, says Edson about their seemingly unstoppable rhythm. Among all this, why did they agree to become guest curators? “With Het Hem, what was really nice is that it was a conversation. Most of the things you see around here and how you experience them are the result of a dialogue”, they say.
Together with the team at the new cultural centre – mainly with Rieke and Kim, Het Hem’s curator and director respectively –, Edson and Gee have curated an exhibition whose starting point was hip hop. “We wanna try to show people that hip hop is not only about golden chains and the bling; it’s more intellectual”, they say enthusiastically. “And with Het Hem, we’ve done that. It’s beautiful!”, they conclude. By focusing on what’s important to them, to their community and way of life, the exhibition – or chapter, as Het Hem prefers to call it since it goes far beyond just a white box with paintings hanging – features artists from all backgrounds, ages and interests. But above all, a feeling of community instils every piece. A feeling that, as each day goes by in these dark times, seems more crucial than ever.