Much of what can be experienced at NeoCon every June goes beyond new product releases, trend watching, and innovation. Personally, I favor the many installations and exhibits in occasion with the event that seemingly appear overnight – and not only inside The Mart, but in Chicago’s surrounding design district as well. One such project that stands out beyond the trade show’s close this year is Souvenirs of a Forgotten Past, a collaboration between natural stone brand SolidNature and Secrets of the Universe, known for its experimental architecture, objects, and installations. Inspired by ephemera that bridges memory and moment, the tabletop installation and group exhibition invites attendees to explore cultural journeys shepherded by nine designers and artists from diverse backgrounds.
What started as singular expressions of personal identity in stone quickly evolved into something more reflective of cultural cross-pollination in the making of a new world – at a time when migrant voices need echoing. “As curators, we aim to highlight the beauty in both the stone pieces and cultural narratives,” reflects SolidNature’s CEO, David Mahyari. “Moreover, our sourcing of materials from around the world mirrors how each piece inherently carries the essence of diverse backgrounds.”
Souvenirs of a Forgotten Past is SolidNature’s first time producing small art objects, with the project highlighting its expanding capabilities, important messaging, and engagement with creatives, all the while showcasing a wide range of manufacturing skills. Each object was realized through the company’s access to exotic raw materials, fabrication technology, and expertise.
A Guardian Monster by Jimenez Lai
Participants include Bureau Spectacular (Jimenez Lai), who presents “A Guardian Monster“ in an homage to Taiwanese ancestral worship practices as it depicts a gentle creature guarding souls for their return to the next life. Presented in contrast is Chris Adamick’s “Lenticular Vessel“, which tells of his grandfather’s immigration from Poland to the United States while evoking early 20th-century American commercial advertising.
Cloud Vase by Stephanie Lin
Cloud Vase by Stephanie Lin
Natou Fall’s “Souvenirs à Nous: Mother & Child“ is an interpretation of Senegalese motherhood totems, exploring the shifting relationship between a mother and her child across different cultural landscapes. Present Forms (Stephanie Lin) provides an abstraction of landscape with “Cloud Vase“ to create vessels for flowers, celebrate cultural exchange, and pay tribute to her Taiwanese grandmother.
The Qalamdan by Saba Yazdjerdi
The Qalamdan by Saba Yazdjerdi
Others offer another approach like Saba Salekfard’s “Sofreh“, reimagining the iconic Persian saffron mortar and pestle for an object that exudes tactility. Adding to that through line is “The Qalamdan” by Saba Yazdjerdi whose take of the traditional Persian pen case becomes the battleground between cultural preservation and the struggle for free expression.
E la Nave Va by Smith-Clementi
E la Nave Va by Smith-Clementi
Noteworthy still is Smith-Clementi’s (Frank Clementi and Julie Smith-Clementi) “E la Nave Va“ exploration of America’s identity through dual-themed pieces in a play of contrasting color and graphic shapes. Studio Gorm’s (Wonhee Arndt and John Arndt) “Bath Stool” explores juxtaposition in combining traditional and modern elements that, together, elevate the bathing ritual into a ceremonial act.
Bath Stool by Studio Gorm
And finally, Chris Cornelius offers the storied showcase a poignant piece with “Souvenir of Citizenship“ as it reflects the reality faced by Indigenous Americans in the U.S. military who continue to struggle for recognition and identity.
Souvenirs of a Forgotten Past will be on view at Luminaire Chicago (301 W. Superior Street) through August 10, 2024, providing visitors with an exploration of cultural heritage and the power of design. Then, the exhibition will embark on a journey, making stops at Luminaire’s California showrooms in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
To learn more about Souvenirs of a Forgotten Past, visit solidnature.com or see it in person at Luminaire Chicago through August 10, 2024.
