Light Fountain

From a possibility, which seems far from achieved, there lies an allegory. A story, which talks about a different perception, a parallel reality, which can exist, if the choices of today alter and thus give rise to the inception of a re-evolution. The future dimensions are reaching out to the present reality, trying to convey some information. This is their way of fixing the flustered past, wound up in the quest of gaining power, having the louder voice. But is it what is needed for the future to shape upon? How do they connect with the generations of today and let them know that this thirst for power will lead them nowhere but to destruction?                         .

The answer lies in the remains of the same destruction which is the reflection of the unresolved quest for power, voice and authority. The remainder which survives massive destruction of this magnitude, surely stands the test of time, and thus they continue to live on, till the future dimensions, transforming from one form to another. Having witnessed such great shifts in the timeline of their inevitable transformation, they are reaching out to us, trying to tell us what matters more over this quest for power. As the past would not know what was doomed to happen, the future, been witness to the course of actions, from their blooming gardens of prosperity and dreamed possibilities, will now speak to us.

Children have always played a pivotal role in the history of Syria, especially in relation with the current Civil War. In March 2011, in the impoverished, drought-stricken rural province of Darʿā, Syrian Police arrested and tortured a group of children for writing anti-regime graffiti. This triggered several demonstrations for political and economic reforms. In May 2011, images of the mutilated body of a 13-year old who was tortured to death further fanned the flame of the protests, which, combined with the harsh retaliation from the forces spiraled into the current Civil War.

As the Civil War has progressed, children have been at the receiving end of much more - in 2016, in Syria, one in four conflict related deaths was that of a child. The constant carnage and violence has psychological effects on children as well. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and an increase in self-harm as well as suicide attempts in refugee camps all demonstrate the severe impact the war has had on the younger generation.

Including the idea of child welfare as a part of the product will not only amplify the graveness of the issue, but will rather also create an impactful social commentary. Tradition is an integral part of the product, which will give an identity to the proposed ‘ECHO’ of the product, thereby making it an all exclusive, unique product from the land of Syria.

The conceptual idea of a Tesseract, having an ulterior dimension has the altered reflection, which makes it look like it is morphed, but rather is the true form of reflection of the existing reality. Therefore considering the identity of an inlay pattern or Jaali work in Syrian traditional art, and processing that through the idea of a tesseract. The form of the product can be formulated and thus can get an impactful yet minimal identity. This creates a strong sense of echo in the landscape of such calamities.

Identified rubble types are:

CONCRETE BLOCKS

JAALI PATTERN BLOCK

(for inspiration)

GLASS PIECES

METAL SHEETS, PIECES

Maximum of these types of rubble observed from the images collected of the city of Aleppo, the Second-largest city in Syria, after the capital Damascus

Considering the possible material, the iterations according to material such as Metal or concrete would require the usage of laser cutting which leads to multiple possibilities in form and character. Therefore bending and curving the edges becomes possible, this also gives the product a new and different identity, almost exclusive, which is a positive approach towards this product with such heavy symbolism. Keeping in mind the strong image and exclusivity of the product, methods of Laser cutting, assembly by pasting of components is to be considered to formulate this product. Proposed materials for this product are concrete and metal. This will enable the scope of production growth as there are multiple options of the same form of the proposed product. With a light fixture inside, it will amplify the idea of the light fountain, or the echo from the future, being a table lamp with a strong meaning.

خفيفة نافورة (nafurat  khafifa)

Light Fountain

Light Fountain is a reflection of the future in the present.

Projecting the light towards the importance of the future generation, a hand is shown holding the child on top, representing the idea that there is nothing greater than the welfare of the future generation, for the future to shine bright. To represent the bright future, the hand is essentially a light fixture in this container. Thus this table lamp/light fountain is not just a table top product, but also a conveyor of an impactful social commentary. The product as mentioned earlier has the reflection of the Jaali work in its top view, but it also contains a subtle nod to ‘FATIMI INLAY WORK’ on the surface of the product, thus creating a strong cultural reference.

It’s an Echo, but from the FUTURE