Memory in folded paper
Art Direction
Scenography
Digital Design
Augmented Reality
Interactive Design
Curation
Art Direction
Scenography
Digital Design
Augmented Reality
Interactive Design
Curation
Credits_
Principal architects Nabil Gholam & Ali Basbous
Architect Joumana Arida
Art Director Ismail Designs
Team Rafi Youakimian, Aya Meskawi, Dima Dagher, Karim Rifai, & Lama Barhoumi
Consultants SPORPH and Cleerstudio
I teamed up with Nabil gholam architects "ngª" and Built by Associative Data "BAD" for Beirut Design Week in 2019 "BDW19" edition ‘’Design and Nostalgia’’.
"Memory in folded paper" is an attempt to capture quick snapshots of Beirut’s transformation over the last century through a series of nine synoptic folding paper cut-outs. The memory of the past and a glimpse of the future are thus revealed through the fragility of what is there, what isn’t, and what remains.
In our fast-moving digital world, these cut-out abstractions are a candid reflection on the essential paradox of memory versus the future through a medium most usually associated with children.
"Memory in folded paper" is an attempt to capture quick snapshots of Beirut’s transformation over the last century through a series of nine synoptic folding paper cut-outs. The memory of the past and a glimpse of the future are thus revealed through the fragility of what is there, what isn’t, and what remains.
In our fast-moving digital world, these cut-out abstractions are a candid reflection on the essential paradox of memory versus the future through a medium most usually associated with children.
Cut-outs of the nine buildings
Each one was assembled into an individual pop-up card, inviting the viewer to unfold some of our city’s recent urban memory via a playful and tactile invitation to remember, think and act, reviving each viewer’ s own childhood memories.
Each one was assembled into an individual pop-up card, inviting the viewer to unfold some of our city’s recent urban memory via a playful and tactile invitation to remember, think and act, reviving each viewer’ s own childhood memories.
Lightboxes installation with the buildings’ cut-outs
a play of Ombres chinoises (Chinese theater play) reflecting on the fragility and ephemeral notion of passing time. The nine lightboxes of 70cm side were laid in a circular manner, in almost a mystical display. A peep hole, on the back of the lightboxes, reveals to the viewer the materiality of the cards; and immateriality of the projected shadow in a theatrical ceremony.
a play of Ombres chinoises (Chinese theater play) reflecting on the fragility and ephemeral notion of passing time. The nine lightboxes of 70cm side were laid in a circular manner, in almost a mystical display. A peep hole, on the back of the lightboxes, reveals to the viewer the materiality of the cards; and immateriality of the projected shadow in a theatrical ceremony.
Postcards in virtual reality
Hinting at the unfolding of our near future, a digital twin of the cut-out building, fusing past, present and future with our current reality. The buildings, some still existing, some a long-lost memory, literally pop out from the postcards and can be virtually revived and explored.
Hinting at the unfolding of our near future, a digital twin of the cut-out building, fusing past, present and future with our current reality. The buildings, some still existing, some a long-lost memory, literally pop out from the postcards and can be virtually revived and explored.
The virtual reality mobile application was developed in collaboration with SPORPH and Cleer Studio
With these three different representations (paper pop-up models, ombres chinoises, and augemented reality) of the same objects, the viewer slides back and forth from nostalgic past (paper pop-up model), to light shadow (ombres chinoises) to wishful future (augmented reality). Reflecting upon the materiality and immateriality of the produced display/exhibition, we question with the viewer the fate of our urban collective memories.
