Ô-CULT TOTEM by Richard Yasmine

About the Item

Ô-CULT TOTEM by Richard Yasmine Materials: Powder coated st.steel, blackened brass, neo cement on st.steel & raffia tassels Dimensions: Height 120 x diameter 40 cm. Ô-CULT our latest commissioned design piece for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy curated by La Triennale di Milano design Museum, a social design project related to the use of water for the exhibition titled “The shapes of Water”. Water, one of the elements that make up everything in this world. The symbolism of water has a universal trace of purity and fertility, it is the source of life since the ancient cultures and considered an aspect of wisdom that takes the form in which it is held. It does not resist, it flows, but always goes where it wants to go to fill empty spaces. As water is becoming rare yet more and more precious due to the environmental problems such as global warming, pollution, climate changes etc… our concept, to create a fantastic water safe taking the shape of a mascot /Genie imitating the authentic type of liquid containers descending since the Neolithic period till the ancient Roman era passing by our heritage but definitely in a contemporary Silhouette using multiple materials. In addition to the shape, providing a faucet, using the whole component as a useful water dispenser. The concept of “Ô-CULT” (the water sanctuary) inspired from the Memphis movement is based on combining various functions altogether melting the jar to the fountain ( ‘ein in Arabic which we can still find few remaining in some Lebanese villages where thirsty people can come drink from its flowing water ), using new and old, yet typical materials, the belly/body of the piece is made of stainless steel covered with neo terracotta with duplicated blackened brass handles to accentuate the visual of a jar, roofed with a headpiece of red glossy finishing paint on stainless steel imitating a mysterious animal head shape as a reflection to the mythical stone masks of animals or heroes used previously on ancient fountains. Incorporating a turquoise funnel or a huge pipette in the head symbolizing actually rainwater collecting. The head can be turned upside down to recreate an old Amphora or bowl with also 2 big ears/handles, altogether handcrafted carefully by our artisanship including decorative and other fetish items made of natural rough jute tassels and blacked brass, the overall eccentric appearance creates an euphoric humoristic cult TOTEM so far an occult phenomenon capable of granting wishes when summoned. Richard Yasmine a Lebanese interior architect and product designer, filled with imagination using his imaginary world as a simulation to try out new ideas and create new objects inspired of life, objects and emotions, the human body: physiology and needs, but also focuses on internal chaos combined with a certain innate sensitivity; sometimes extreme and provocative or even not expected by others but still minimal, bold, and straightforward without disguising or hiding true reality. He never tends to identify the difference between reality and imagination this what helps him creating intriguing and controversial design objects yet complicated in the process of production however this is distinctive in his personality. Trying always to incorporate a fresh approach sticking to his culture and tradition, frequently in a muddled process but a precise immaculate result not following any specific period or trend but a reflection of his own image. Integrating the Middle Eastern specifically the Lebanese knowhow and spirit within the recipe of each of his products; collaborating with craftsmen, consequently to reveal the oriental feel through an extravagant aspect, searching to spread the marriage between tradition and new technologies, by keeping his signature identity of commotion mixing craziness to sobriety with a touch of fantasy. He showcased his work at la biennale de St Etienne, Paris design week 2015 , Milan design week 2016/2017/2018 , Beirut artfair 2015/2016 , Beirut design week 2015/2016 ,Dubai design week 2016 and in designjunction during the London design festival 2017, Some of his designs has been featured consecutively in Interni, Domus, wallpaper, living-corrieredellaserra, ad, Icon, ideat, elle decoration, monogram, dezeen, designboom, design milk, highsnobiety, the national, Madame, 7daysuae, interiors, Arch newspaper, interior design NEW York, l’orient le jour and many other local and international blogs and magazines … he has been selected by Esquire MIDDLE EAST between the 6 designers to know about in the middle east for 2017 and his work has been featured between the best of Dubai design week 2016 on Yatzer and best of Milan design week 2017 again on Yatzer. He has been interviewed by Elle décor Italia as the Lebanese designer talking about his city Beirut in the “secret Beirut” article as one of numerous other city guides. As for his latest news he showcased in 3 different spaces lately during Milan Design week 2018 and for the first time collaborating with the eclectic Italian brand JCP universe, his latest HAWA Beirut collection and WAKE UP CALL has been selected between the best of MDW18 on Yatzer, yellowtrace, Domus, dezeen, designboom and many other press all around the globe, he has been nominated for the emerging designer of the year by Dezeen, lately he revealed his latest work Ô-CULT the water sanctuary , commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy curated by la Triennale di Milano design museum, new pieces to be showcased April 2019 during Milan Design Week. .

Creator:

Richard Yasmine (Designer)

Dimensions:

Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Diameter: 15.75 in (40 cm)

Style:

Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Brass,Cement,Raffia,Steel

Place of Origin:

Lebanon

Period:

2010-