Amman Design Week/ Elysian, Amalgamate, Lamba neon: Katia Al Tal, Raya Kassisieh, Hana Ghawi
AMALGAMATE; a conversation.
Bayt Silsal at Ruwwad is a haven for Sixteen adults with disabilities from Jabal al
Natheef. These adults come from humble backgrounds and have found Silsal Ruwwad to be a safe space to express and soothe themselves through art therapy. At Silsal Ruwwad, they indulge in clay work, painting and gardening. As a by-product of their efforts a large amount of ceramics have been created.
Raya Kassisieh has taken the ceramics which have been stored for two years and installed them in a creation of infinite color. Inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s work, Kassisieh takes the idea of a mirrored space to create a point where the world can halt. As the viewer, you are invited to be visually overwhelmed by the space, never forgetting that the pieces in view are the product of therapeutic art made by the hands of very unique people with disabilities. The space is a sort of vortex; and a loud reminder that we are all the same: humans, which heal and can be healed and unified through the power of art.
This installation takes you from the infinite haven to a serene soft and nature filled space followed by a raw film and removes you from this world, placing you in a sphere of pure visual and emotional appreciation. We are all human, we all need art to heal, we are all the same.
The installation of Amalgamate continues to develop, long after the viewer has walked out of the infinite space. One then transitions into a serene, soft fiber installation inspired by the members of Bayt Silsal at Ruwwad’s surroundings. The fiber installation embodies the softness and harshness of this world and attempts to break the misconceptions of society reminding us that we are all still a piece of humanity. From the solidity of the ceramic to the fluidity of the fiber, color will carry the viewer through to the final stage of the exhibit: a film by Deema Shahin.
Shahin’s piece takes you into the world of the members, giving you an untampered glimpse into the world that holds them. She has spent many days in close intimacy with each and every one of them exposing both her and the viewers to far more than the pieces reveal.
Elysian
Renowned sculptor, Katia Al-Tal, takes the energy of the Earth at its most fundamental clay level, infuses it with passion, molds it with vision and transforms it into magnificence.
Al-Tal’s educational background in psychology, political science and practical theater, along with her unique creative touches have given her the insight and talent needed to produce extraordinary, yet practical pieces suitable for any setting.
To achieve her goal in functional art Katia Al Tal established a workshop in Amman, Jordan, where she was able to conceive her first collection composed of 3 C's; Clay, Calligraphy and Creativity. Katia Al Tal calls her collection "Sadeem".
Her Arab origin and worldly travels, major inspirations for her sculptures, can be felt in every curve and stroke of her designs.
LAMBA specializes in the creation of neon art.
Based in Amman, we collaborate with leading local and regional designers to create unique, one-off , avant-garde pieces - made using cold cathode neon tubes that are hand-shaped by our specialized artisanal glass blowers.
The exhibition features a collection of our own work, in addition to a few collaborative pieces with Iraqi/Jordanian artist Zaina El Said. The artworks are an eclectic mix of English and Arabic influences. An 80’s trend resurrected, LAMBAs pieces are a funky way of bringing pop-cultural phrases to life.
Let us light up your space by bringing a modern twist to a brilliant and trendy art form.
