Lebanese designer Richard Yasmine has created a collection of handcrafted pieces in commemoration of the 2020 Beirut explosion. The collection is called the 'After Go' and holds deep symbolic meaning while also serving as
a collection of multifunctional objects - such as seats, shelves, and vases.
The collection consists of a series of geometric shapes influenced by postmodernism and art deco. The collection was designed to be practical yet timeless and thoughtful. The pieces are illustrative and equally minimalistic in aesthetic. Each object is handcrafted using concrete plaster and is handpainted with bold black lines. The black paint evokes a deep sadness and sense of chaos - relating to the explosion - while the white represents serenity and safety.
The collection balances melancholy and hopefulness and speaks to the city's resilience.Photo Credits: designboom, richardyasmine
Tragedy-Commemorating Art Collections
Richard Yasmine Commemorates the 2020 Beirut Explosion
Trend Themes
1. Tragedy-commemorating Art Collections - Creating collections of handcrafted pieces to commemorate significant tragedies or events can serve as a way to process and honor the experience while also creating meaningful and functional objects.
2. Symbolic Minimalism - Incorporating minimalist design elements into symbolic and emotive pieces can provide a sense of balance and hopefulness amidst otherwise somber themes.
3. Multifunctional Concrete Plaster - Using concrete plaster to handcraft multifunctional pieces allows for durability and versatility in design while also adding a sense of industrial-chic to the final product.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Artists and designers can use tragedy as a source of inspiration and commemoration, creating pieces that have both emotional and functional value.
2. Home Decor and Furniture - The use of multifunctional pieces in home decor and furniture can provide practicality and versatility in design, while also allowing for a deeper emotional connection with the objects.
3. Construction and Architecture - The use of materials such as concrete plaster in handcrafted pieces can lead to new innovations in construction and architecture, adding industrial-chic design elements to buildings and structures.