Title
Nour by Elena Syraka
Posted In
Jewelry Design
Curator
Costas Voyatzis
Duration
23 February 2012 to 22 April 2012
More Info

Art direction/Graphic design: Costas Voyatzis
Photographers: Christoforos Doulgeris, Odysseas Lekkas, Mustafa Sabbagh
video direction: Theo Prodromidis

 

Detailed Information
TitleNour by Elena SyrakaPosted InJewelry DesignCuratorCostas Voyatzis
Duration23 February 2012 to 22 April 2012More Info

Art direction/Graphic design: Costas Voyatzis
Photographers: Christoforos Doulgeris, Odysseas Lekkas, Mustafa Sabbagh
video direction: Theo Prodromidis

 

Inspiration that comes from greatness, in general terms, leads to the creation of the absolute. As with all things, you work from the ground up, from the past to the future, from the abyss of the nothing to the everything and from that which is still to that which we call life. It is a known fact that Yatzer possesses a great appreciation for creations that draw their inspiration from the past. One such realization was brought to life with the opening of ‘Nour’, an exhibition by acclaimed Greek jewelry designer, Elena Syraka which opened its doors to the public on the 23d of February 2012 at the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art in Athens, Greece, with the kind support of Bombay Sapphire gin.

Although Elena Syraka’s past collections are characteristic, her epitome of greatness arrived with the presentation of her exclusive line inspired from the Islamic Art. As the exhibition’s relevance and presentation were of absolute prime importance, it was of no surprise to us when Elena approached our enterpreneur Costas Voyatzis to design the complete presentation of the jewelry collection. ; suffice to say he did not hesitate for a minute to take on the role. Costas designed horizontal placed printed graphic fabric backdrops which further emphasized and portrayed their original inspiration sources with circular motifs, upon which, each piece of jewelry was laid on for further emphasis, thereby bringing the modernization of the historic into the present.

One could describe the jewels themselves as eloquent, aristocratic and elegant. With a combination of precious stones, diamonds and calligraphic details, this collection has reached its full potential. The designs are a mix of fluidity with great symbolism, all derived from Islamic History. Examples from the 45 pieces, include the emblems on the diamond earrings which were once inscribed in sword cases or indeed the 18 carat gold with quartz stone & diamonds eye of the tiger necklace inspired by the book cover ‘The heavenly world of Islamic Culture’.  In this collection, all of the references have been carefully applied and greatly respected so that when you witness these pieces displayed at the museum at close range to their source of inspiration, you are really witnessing something both magical and moving.

photo © Mustafa Sabbagh (horse), Odysseas Lekkas (object), Elena Syraka (Sketch)Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Mustafa Sabbagh (horse), Odysseas Lekkas (object), Elena Syraka (Sketch)
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas VoyatzisCourtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Odysseas LekkasSet of surgical tools decorated with overlaid gold, Iran 19th century. Courtesy of The Benaki Museum, Athens

photo © Odysseas Lekkas
Set of surgical tools decorated with overlaid gold, Iran 19th century. Courtesy of The Benaki Museum, Athens

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis, photo © Mustafa Sabbagh Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis, photo © Mustafa Sabbagh
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Of course the strongest, boldest and most inspired element of all is none other than the bracelet made of 18 carat gold with white diamonds inspired by a gilded copper horse's chamfron (Turkey 16th C). This image encompassing horse and bracelet truly left us speechless as a piece of absolute greatness. The original photograph of the horse taken by the famous Italian photographer Mustafa Sabbagh became the landmark of the visual identity for the 'Nour' exhibition. Moral of the story - take a talented graphics/illustrator/ tiger eye of the future designer and combine his talents with that of a jewelry designer with great sensitivity / skill and passion and you have a creation of an absolute.

The exhibition itself will be on view until the 22d of April 2012 at the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art in Athens, Greece. From there, this exhibition, taking the history of Islamic art to the present day, is expected to showcase in museums in the Arab world.

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

photo © Costas Voyatzis for Yatzer.com

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Backdrop designed by Costas Voyatzis
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Some pieces of the Nour Collection Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Some pieces of the Nour Collection
Courtesy of Nour by Elena Syraka

Nour by Elena Syraka

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