Ô-CULT is the latest commissioned design piece by Lebanese interior architect and product designer Richard Yasmine for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy curated by La Triennale di Milano design Museum, a social design project related to the use of water for the exhibition titled “The shapes of Water”. The concept of “Ô-CULT” (the water sanctuary) is inspired from the Memphis movement is based on combining various functions altogether melting the jar to the fountain ( ‘ein in Arabic which we can still find few remaining in some Lebanese villages where thirsty people can come drink from its flowing water ), using new and old, yet typical materials, the belly/body of the piece is made of stainless steel covered with neo terracotta with duplicated blackened brass handles to accentuate the visual of a jar, roofed with a headpiece of red glossy finishing paint on stainless steel imitating a mysterious animal head shape as a reflection to the mythical stone masks of animals or heroes used previously on ancient fountains. Incorporating a turquoise funnel or a huge pipette in the head symbolising actually rainwater collecting …the head can be turned upside down to recreate an old amphora or bowl with also two big ears/handles, altogether handcrafted carefully.
For more information: www.richardyasmine.com
