House of Today: The Candle Project
House of Today, in collaboration with 10 Lebanese designers, launches a limited edition series of candles on November 20th, made entirely with artisans in Lebanon.
House of Today, the non-profit organization based in Beirut, is dedicated to supporting and growing Lebanese design and craftsmanship. Through workshops, residencies, mentoring, special projects, exhibitions and more, the organization has established connections and professional guidance to Lebanese designers to help further their careers as well as help preserve craft and artisanship in the country.
“For over a decade, House of Today has cultivated Lebanon’s design ecosystem, collaborating closely with Lebanese designers, curating collections, mentoring them and providing opportunities for global exposure, along with working with artisans to promote and safeguard local production techniques,” shares Cherine Magrabi Tayeb, Founder of House of Today.
On November 20th, they are launching The Candle Project, in collaboration with 10 Lebanese designers. It is the first curated and edited collection by House of Today and entirely made in Lebanon. The designers worked with artisans at the Centre Hospitalier Beit Chabeb workshop, reinterpreting the candle through sketches, testing and then transforming wax into sculptures. The designers include: Nada Debs, Carla Baz, Richard Yasmine, 200Grs, Aline Asmar d’Amman, david/nicolas, Flavie Audi, Sayar & Garibeh, LimbObject and Tamara Barrage. Beit Chabeb is a hospital for the disabled that has a full workshop for artisanal production. The team there was led by Mr. Roukoz Moussallem, who helped transform each designer’s unique creative proposal into the wax sculpture it became. “When we started the project, it took us around a year to create the molds and bring the designs to life, given the level of detail and finishing required, for each novel piece,” explains Mr. Moussallem. “Our role was to explore numerous dimensions, from the colors to the textures, to achieve such a meticulous outcome following numerous trials,” he adds.
The candles can be purchased on the House of Today’s website, with proceeds from The Candle Project going towards supporting Beit Chabeb and its initiatives, as well as to the ten designers, and the ongoing mentorship projects with House of Today. Designer Richard Yasmine writes, “The Project challenges the notion that endings are inherently melancholic, it represents a profound exploration of regeneration, evolution, and the understanding that transitions can be illuminated with hope and positivity.”
What is perhaps most impressive about this project is its ability to move forward over the last two years despite the country undergoing severe economic and political crises. The project is like a shining light amongst difficulty, a poignant reminder that the importance of preserving knowledge and skills remains essential and can help give back to the community. Aline Asmar d’Amman writes, “I love the idea of this debut happening hand in hand with Lebanese artisans thanks to the bridge created by House of Today and the skilled wax makers of Beit Chebab. ‘Aspiration’ is a nod to the eternal hopes for a brighter Lebanon, birth land of myths and legends, fragmented yet molten together in solid grounds”.
The Candle Project, House of Today, Launching November 20th, 2023.
@houseoftoday
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