Project Name
House of today Jungle Protocol
Posted in
Furniture Design
Year
2016
Visit Website
houseoftoday.com
Detailed Information
Project NameHouse of today Jungle ProtocolPosted inFurniture DesignYear2016
Visit Websitehouseoftoday.com

For a city that’s been reportedly losing its historic centre to rampant development and “landmark” buildings by foreign starchitects, Beirut is a place that takes tradition very seriously. This naturally seeps into the local design scene, where older and younger designers alike turn to traditional techniques and materials to create new objects that merge artistic ingenuity with functionality and beauty, attracting the sharpened eye of collectors and curators from abroad along the way. Indeed, Beirut’s design scene is thriving, and its reach extends well beyond the Middle East: with examples such as Lebanese designer Karen Chekerdjian’s critically acclaimed solo show at L'Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris last summer, and the curatorial nomad that is Carwan Gallery has been taking Lebanese designers all the way to The Armory Show in New York.

Focusing on local creativity - especially the younger generation of Lebanese designers - House of Today is a non-profit founded in 2012 by Cherine Magrabi Tayeb with the mission of connecting local designers with design experts abroad, as well as nurturing young talent. “I returned to Beirut with an interest in design and I became aware of very talented designers”, Magrabi told Yatzer, continuing however, “but found it frustrating that there was no cohesion in what was happening here, and no recognition internationally. The foundation came from a desire to recognise this talent, show what can be done when we work together and spread the word about the richness of Beirut’s design culture.” As part of its activities, House of Today sponsors young design students to study at prominent schools abroad, and organises several events and exhibitions —the largest of which is the House of Today design biennial, the third edition of which closes tomorrow at Beirut’s Le Yacht Club.

Installation view from the opening day of Jungle Protocol.

Installation view from the opening day of Jungle Protocol.

Stephanie Sayar & Charbel Gharibeh,  Gentlemen tables. GM 1: ceramic body- hand painted ceramic base- Carrara marble top- metal structure- polished brass ring. 46 x 58 x 58cm W. GM 2: colored glass body- hand painted ceramic base- Carrara marble top- metal structure- polished brass ring. 50 x 56 x 56cm.

Stephanie Sayar & Charbel Gharibeh,  Gentlemen tablesGM 1: ceramic body- hand painted ceramic base- Carrara marble top- metal structure- polished brass ring. 46 x 58 x 58cm W. GM 2: colored glass body- hand painted ceramic base- Carrara marble top- metal structure- polished brass ring. 50 x 56 x 56cm.

22 designers of all ages have participated in this year’s exhibition, with contributions by visiting “design ambassadors” from abroad, namely Massimiliano Locatelli and Snøhetta. According to Magrabi, design in Lebanon has not always been an open profession: “We believe in nurturing talent from the very beginning, having faith in our students at the start of their career and giving them an opportunity that would otherwise not be available. Historically these opportunities have only existed for a certain demographic in society and that’s something we are keen to change.” Hosting a public exhibition and a series of talks at the otherwise members-only Le Yacht Club on Beirut’s Zaitunay Bay also seems like a symbolic gesture of openness; the exhibition takes place in a large space with windows looking outwards over the Mediterranean sea, while a special edition of The Wallpaper*Store curated by Carwan Gallery’s Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte was set up in the bottom of the cavernous atrium in which some of the products have been sourced from local designers. As part of its educational mission, House of Today has also welcomed students to its exhibition, who had the opportunity to meet participating designers and discuss their work with them.

Carla Baz, Blaze convex mirror.65 x 50 x 10 cm. Oxidized Bronze Mirrors.

Carla Baz, Blaze convex mirror.
65 x 50 x 10 cm. Oxidized Bronze Mirrors.

Visitors at the opening day of Jungle Protocol.

Visitors at the opening day of Jungle Protocol.

Marc Baroud, Flesh Toys , skewers. Size: 35 cm x (ø) 0.35 - 1.2 cm. Pouch: 39 x19 x 2 cm. 12 “Flesh Toys” per pouch.

Marc Baroud, Flesh Toys , skewers. Size: 35 cm x (ø) 0.35 - 1.2 cm. Pouch: 39 x19 x 2 cm. 12 “Flesh Toys” per pouch.

Marc Dibeh, Stone Ops. Marble.

Marc Dibeh, Stone Ops. Marble.

All the objects that are part of the House of Today exhibition were specially created for the show, and were selected after an open call announcing this year’s Jungle Protocol theme. According to Magrabi, the theme playfully refers to the urban jungle of Beirut and its obsession with certain forms of etiquette, but also to all the things “that bind us together as human race”. Masterfully executed and with a rather poetic or even magical-realist aura to them, the objects presented were indeed a well-balanced showcase of top-tier contemporary design. Some objects, like the laundry basket by Khaled El Mays and the whimsical parasol by Marc Dibeh use traditional techniques (in this case, rattan weaving), while others are more industrial and pristine, such as the set of precious bins by david/nicolas and the angular mirror by Ranya Sarakbi. However, many of the designers dared to explore the limits of functionality and delve into the realm of artistic expression —the best example being the all-white standing fan and lamp by Celine and Tatiana Stephan, which is basically a cage with three twigs as legs, poetically conjuring the image of a winter star caught in a forest trap. 

GRAPES by Mary-Lynn Massoud. Unglazed colored porcelain. 

GRAPES by Mary-Lynn Massoud. Unglazed colored porcelain. 

Installation view from the opening day of Jungle Protocol. The Wallpaper* Store area.

Installation view from the opening day of Jungle Protocol. The Wallpaper* Store area.

ROCK by Najla El Zein. Basalt, led, glass, sea sponge, silver. 14 x 14 x 13.5 cm.

ROCK by Najla El Zein. Basalt, led, glass, sea sponge, silver. 14 x 14 x 13.5 cm.

SURVIVAL KIT by Celine & Tatiana Stephan. Powder Coated White Aluminum, 115 x 100 x 205 cm.

SURVIVAL KIT by Celine & Tatiana Stephan. Powder Coated White Aluminum, 115 x 100 x 205 cm.

SURVIVAL KIT by Celine & Tatiana Stephan. Outlined sketch.

SURVIVAL KIT by Celine & Tatiana Stephan. Outlined sketch.

The exhibition took place in December to coincide with the return of many Lebanese expats in town for the holidays. That said, House of Today is also building its reputation within the region and internationally; according to Magrabi, Jungle Protocol welcomed collectors from Jordan, Dubai, America, the UK, Italy and beyond. This is certainly linked to the increased that attention collectible design has received over the last few years, but most importantly, with the particular aura of desirability that surrounds Lebanese design. “It’s a clichéd thing to say”, Magrabi admits, “but Beirut is a melting pot of cultures, religions, nationalities, the population is ever changing and shaping, so the influences are vast. We are optimistic people, there’s an energy here and it shines through in the work you see”. While it certainly will be a surprise if this exhibition doesn’t travel beyond Lebanon in the coming months, one thing is for sure: Jungle Protocol has affirmed Lebanon’s well-deserved position on the global design map.

ALFRED (Sketch) by David Raffoul & Nicolas Moussallem. 

ALFRED (Sketch) by David Raffoul & Nicolas Moussallem. 

ALFRED by David Raffoul & Nicolas Moussallem. 15cm (diameter) / 30 cm (high). Silver plated brass, and Enamel details. 

ALFRED by David Raffoul & Nicolas Moussallem. 15cm (diameter) / 30 cm (high). Silver plated brass, and Enamel details. 

Designer Nicolas Moussallem presents the series of precious bins he co-designed with David Raffoul for Jungle Protocol to a group of students visiting the exhibition.

Designer Nicolas Moussallem presents the series of precious bins he co-designed with David Raffoul for Jungle Protocol to a group of students visiting the exhibition.

Designer Tessa Sakhi presents the Nomad collection of bottles she co-designed with her sister Tara Sakhi for Jungle Protocol. The two designers founded Atelier 2te earlier this year. Each of these alcohol flasks stands for a human virtue or emotion: ISRA – wisdom, DALIA – faith, KALLA - beauty, MAYRA - rebellion, HERA – vengeance, FREA – infidelity. 

Designer Tessa Sakhi presents the Nomad collection of bottles she co-designed with her sister Tara Sakhi for Jungle Protocol. The two designers founded Atelier 2te earlier this year. Each of these alcohol flasks stands for a human virtue or emotion: ISRA – wisdom, DALIA – faith, KALLA - beauty, MAYRA - rebellion, HERA – vengeance, FREA – infidelity.
 

Anastasia Nysten, The cloak chair. Oiled fraké wood, fabric. 650 x 1000 x 830 mm.

Anastasia Nysten, The cloak chair. Oiled fraké wood, fabric. 650 x 1000 x 830 mm.

Fishawy Rack & Basket by by Khaled El Mays. Solid French oak, brass, rattan. Fishawy Rack (valet/boy): 60 x 43 x 160 cm. Fishawy Basket (laundry basket): 60 x 43 x 45 cm.

Fishawy Rack & Basket by by Khaled El Mays. Solid French oak, brass, rattan. Fishawy Rack (valet/boy): 60 x 43 x 160 cm. Fishawy Basket (laundry basket): 60 x 43 x 45 cm.

Fishawy Basket by by Khaled El Mays. Solid French oak, brass, rattan. 60 x 43 x 45 cm.

Fishawy Basket by by Khaled El Mays. Solid French oak, brass, rattan. 60 x 43 x 45 cm.

Flavie Audi, Stellar flux ​(side table). Glass, marble, resin, glass, powder coated steel. 75 x 60 x 43 cm.

Flavie Audi, Stellar flux ​(side table). Glass, marble, resin, glass, powder coated steel. 75 x 60 x 43 cm.

Flavie Audi, Stellar flux (side table detail). Glass, marble, resin, glass, powder coated steel. 75 x 60 x 43 cm.

Flavie Audi, Stellar flux (side table detail). Glass, marble, resin, glass, powder coated steel. 75 x 60 x 43 cm.

Georges Mohasseb, Chestnut. Resin, Liquid Metal finish. 60 x 57.8 x 38.9cm.

Georges Mohasseb, Chestnut. Resin, Liquid Metal finish. 60 x 57.8 x 38.9cm.

Stephanie Sayar & Charbel Gharibeh, Juggler tables. Polished brass and painted aluminum top. Polished brass and Carrara marble legs. Ceramic plates.160 x 90 x 94cm.

Stephanie Sayar & Charbel Gharibeh, Juggler tables. Polished brass and painted aluminum top. Polished brass and Carrara marble legs. Ceramic plates.160 x 90 x 94cm.

Marc Dibeh, Somewhere under the leaves, Wood and cane work. 216 x 146 x 157 cm.

Marc Dibeh, Somewhere under the leaves, Wood and cane work. 216 x 146 x 157 cm.

Rabih Geha, Haminals. Resin. Available colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Grey. 18.2 x 6.4 x 46.2cm.

Rabih Geha, Haminals. Resin. Available colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Grey. 18.2 x 6.4 x 46.2cm.

LIGHT UP MY FIRE (detail) by Nada Zeineh, The base is made of oxidized cast brass, The hearth and cover are made of steel. 60 x 35 cm. 

LIGHT UP MY FIRE (detail) by Nada Zeineh, The base is made of oxidized cast brass, The hearth and cover are made of steel. 60 x 35 cm. 

RE:DEFINE, RE:CLINE by Snøhetta. Pressed metal. 80 x 41 x 80 cm.

RE:DEFINE, RE:CLINE by Snøhetta. Pressed metal. 80 x 41 x 80 cm.

Exterior of The Yacht Club in Beirut.

Exterior of The Yacht Club in Beirut.

Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte portrait. Photo by Roger Moukarzel.

Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte portrait. Photo by Roger Moukarzel.

Cherine Magrabi Tayeb portrait. Photo by Joe Keserouani.

Cherine Magrabi Tayeb portrait. Photo by Joe Keserouani.

Jungle Protocol: House of Today's Design Biennial Returns to Beirut

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