The Ariadne’s Naaikussen Collection, which comprises over 2,000 objects and has been owned by the Draiflessen Collection since 2018, was compiled by Clementine Kuttschrütter, a daughter of Max and Toos Brenninkmeijer, over a period of more than forty years. This first presentation of the collection in the DAS Forum was focused on sewing and needlework utensils whose functions are often forgotten today. Students from the Department of Textile Design at the University of Osnabrück were inspired to revive the technique of Occhi lace-making and exhibited ultra-modern results as part of this first presentation. In addition to the almost forgotten techniques and equipment, ARIADNE’S NAAIKUSSEN offers insight into the diversity of the collection and the professional collecting activities of Ms. Kuttschrütter, who would have celebrated her 90th birthday in 2023. 

In times of transition, some things are consciously and unconsciously left behind that no longer seem up to date. This was also the case with most of the utensils from ARIADNE’S NAAIKUSSEN. The refurbishment for the first presentation of the collection showed how exciting it is to look back on and turn to things and techniques that were once no longer considered important but have taken on a new significance in other times—such as now, when aspects of sustainability play a major role. This updating is like the almost forgotten myths in THREADS and the profane stories in STORYTELLING.
 
We are pleased that this first presentation achieved its goal of drawing broad interest to these unusual items by presenting both their beauty and their practical use. We are also happy that we were able to experience how new contacts for further scientific work were made in this way. However, we are particularly thrilled that Petrus Kuttschrütter, the son of the collector, wrote that his mother was “very pleased” and “very impressed” by the presentation.