Nitaj

The special products made for the Nitaj exhibition, curated by Isola Design and Sama Design for WASL Art Space, are the final result of the residency project Nitaj.

As an exponent of a “minimal radicalist” approach to design, I’ve found a hidden interesting link between my work and Bedouin jewelry. First and easy, due to the use of metal, and second (and most important) because of the modular nature of these incredibly crafted pieces. Modularity is a unique approach to object design. There’s something fascinating about the idea that a complex material artefact can be the result of the thoughtful composition of many parts, most of which are regular iterations of the same element.
Therefore I explored a way to translate this elements in a modern lighting object. Along the residency this concept merged with the inspiration taken from the Bedouin lanterns themselves and the hanging tassels of some of these jewels and lamps.
Sharaba Lanterns are the synthesis of all this process, also played on different proportions scales, to create an object that represents a personal interpretation (avoiding imitation) of these objects, using the elements that define my language as well.
With the same approach I decided to create a personal and contemporary homage to the Mihrab, the niche that points towards Makkah in the mosques and all the places for praying.
During this residency I had the chance to dive deeper into the muslim culture in ways I wouldn’t even imagine before. The message on the front plaque of Tanwir Mihrab is therefore an invitation for people to overcome the aspects that can be difficult to understand of this culture and trying to look with curiosity and respect to gain a deeper knowledge of its beautiful core values.