Arnhemsgewijs displays its skins for the first time.

Last Tuesday, Amphibia’s district chair opened the exhibition SKIN = HOME. It is the first time in human history that human hides are on display. The most striking exhibits are the skins of Arnhemsgewijs, a popular boyband from Amphibia.

“This exhibition means a lot to the Amphibian population,” says Jessica van Halteren, a proud Amphibian and the exhibition’s fashion curator. “The goal of this exhibition is to explain our dress, or lack of it, and to demonstrate the innovative techniques involved in creating our impregnated skins.”

Amphibians are generally viewed as ‘the remainers’. In times of flood, they lacked the resources to buy or claim a place on dry land. Instead they adapted to a life in and on the water. Amphibians do not cover themselves with clothes, as any form of traditional dress would hamper their mobility in water. “The outside world may think we are naked, but we are not, thanks to our impregnation. We have developed a unique attire with unique prints and colours that we showcase in this exhibition,” explains Van Halteren.

Impregnation makes the skin of Amphibians smooth and watertight. After six months, the skin peels off and a new version has to be impregnated. Over the course of years, a vast variety of colours and prints has been designed for impregnation, of which a wide range is displayed in this exhibition. Visitors can view designs that were in fashion twenty years ago, as well as the latest trends.

For many inside and outside of Amphibia, the members of Arnhemsgewijs are leading impregnation trendsetters. They change their skins frequently and have worked with designers to create new styles. A number of the skins on loan for this exhibition have never been seen before. The exhibition can be visited free of charge, and runs until the 15th of December in the Amphibian Museum.