A Public Display of Affection - Collectible 2024
Design as a Love Language
Curated Section, Collectible, Brussels, 2024
Curated section, Collectible, Brussels, 2024. Photo credits: Collectible
“The expression of love and affection sometimes escapes us. Beyond the intimacy and safety of a diary, words can seem distant and even impossible to find. The deepest, richest and most irresistible fragments of our human desires are drowned by an incapacity to communicate how we feel. While we long for the ability to harness words and sculpt language in ways which Audre Lorde, bell hooks or Roland Barthes are able to, what are the tools we are left with to search for what it is we actually want to say amid the scrapyard of our thoughts?
Perhaps another means of expression is one that bridges emotion with creativity; making rather than saying, objects rather than words. Design as a visual and physical language can constitute an affirmation of love. Maybe it could be considered a love language in itself, enticing us to engage mind with matter as we envisage silhouettes of our muse or even disdaining them to the point of inspiration. Do we design with the intricate proportions of our lover’s body in mind? Do we search for the perfect hue of light which tells a thousand stories, or fabricate tools to mend a broken heart?” - Rawad Baaklini
In collaboration with Lindsey Fontijn Szkło Studio created unique jewelled goblets. Hand-blown goblets included silver foot with gemstones, carefully shaped and selected by Lindsey Fontijn and Aleksandra Zawistowska. The flirtation between two tough materials - glass and metal - is both lush and fragile. Like falling in love.
Press
“A Public Display of Affection” took place in Brussels, 2024.
Curator: Rawad Baaklini
The selection of pieces was made with the advice of the members of the jury: Adrien De Furia, Anaïs Carion and Anthony Authié
Scenography: Angelo De Taisne and Madeleine Oltra (voto xo)
Quilt and textile artists: Madeleine Larcade and Rémi Marilleau
Supported by: Kirsten Spruit, Delany Boutkan, Elissa Sofia Assaf, Jelle van Bouwhorst, Sep Louter, Nicole Jessé, Liv Vaisberg and Clélie Debehault
Curated Section at COLLECTIBLE Design Fair 2024 presented:
Anais Borie, Atelier Formenta, Carol Gay, Ciro Timmers, Clara Jorisch, Cuatro Cuatros, Elena Lokastova, Elis Monsport, Etienne Bastormagi, Gnilmyd Kcabla, la Kutateladze, Infrastructure Studio, Johan Pertl, Julia Lonova Logua, Leo Maher, Louis Lefebvre, M’ama edizioni, Maliza Kiasuwa, Marina Garlo, Marius Boekhorst, Masha Volkova, Missces Brown, Noëmi Orgaer, OHM Studio, Sam Kerekaert, sashaxsasha, Solène Bonnet, Studio Brichet Ziegler, Szkło Studio x Lindsey Fontijn, Teresa Berger, Valentine Maurice.