Book: Nedda El-Asmar - Questions to Objects/Vragen aan Objecten

An art critical essay written by Vlad Ionescu and designed by Walda Verbaenen
Co-publication PXL-MAD School of Arts, Hasselt, MAD-Research & MER.BOOKS, 2024

“Questions to objects” is an opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the meaning of gold, its metamorphosis, and the contemporary value of a design. After a long career as a designer, Nedda El-Asmar approaches gold from a radical conceptual perspective: what will the life of a golden object be beyond the economic value of the gold that other people lend her so that objects will be formed? Vlad Ionescu addresses this question in an essay that discusses the cultural significance of materials, the melting of gold and the transformation of materials whose meaning shape our memory and existence. The book is a duo of voices who are concerned about the way we deal with time, materiality, and memory of things.

Een kunst kritisch essay geschreven door Vlad Ionescu en vormgegeven door Walda Verbaenen
Co-publicatie PXL-MAD School of Arts, Hasselt, MAD-Research & MER.BOOKS

"Vragen aan objecten" is een gelegenheid voor een diepgaande reflectie over de betekenis van goud, de metamorfose ervan en de hedendaagse waarde van een ontwerp. Na een lange carrière als ontwerpster, benadert Nedda El-Asmar goud vanuit een radicaal conceptueel perspectief: wat is het leven van een gouden object buiten de economische waarde van het goud dat andere mensen haar lenen zodat objecten vorm zullen krijgen? Vlad Ionescu behandelt deze vraag in een essay over de culturele betekenis van materialen, het smelten van goud en de transformatie van materialen wiens betekenis ons geheugen en bestaan bepalen. Het boek is een duo van stemmen die zich bekommeren om de manier waarop we omgaan met tijd, materialiteit en de herinnering aan dingen.

New cutlery for SERAX

Sastrugi, the tableware collection STUDIO|Nedda for Serax, derives its name from the Russian word for the typical slope of the Antarctic polar landscape. That landscape, which has already been perfectly reflected in the porcelain Sastrugi tableware, is now expanding further, finding its resonance in STUDIO|Nedda's new cutlery line.
The slightly undulating lines of the cutlery are not only the basis of an aesthetically pleasing object, they also provide for a surprisingly pleasant grip.
From the teaspoon to the knife, with this cutlery every movement at the dinner table becomes a special experience.

MY FAIR DIAMOND

In 2015, CAP conseil, a sustainable development consultancy, put the idea for a fully ethical and traceable diamond jewellery project to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). Two years later, the first MY FAIR DIAMOND collection has become a reality. Its diamonds meet stringent ethical, transparency and external verification standards. They also promote the development and safeguarding of local traditional expertise.

For its first collection, My Fair Diamond collaborated with Studio|Nedda. Geometric forms combine with round stones to showcase the union between elegant diamonds and daring ethics.
www.myfairdiamond.com

Bed ‘Hans Christian’

Once upon a bed … Named after its source of inspiration, the Danish fairy tale author Hans Christian Anderson, Studio|Nedda, in cooperation with Magnitude,  brings the fairy tale of the ‘Princess and the Pea’ to life in a contemporary bed concept, handcrafted in Magnitude’s own workshops. The design creates the illusion of randomly stacked mattresses yet the make-believe stack is integrally upholstered, with soft layers gently flowing into the sunken seams.
The concept represents a multi-disciplinary metaphor of royal luxury, traditional craftsmanship and the universal feeling of losing yourself in an everlasting dream.
www.magnitude.be

KAWATEE slow coffee & tea, Belgian style

Viva Sara and STUDIO|Nedda joined forces to design ‘the’ filter coffee/tea 2.0 concept. The ambition was to match the impact of ‘filter coffee’ at the World Expo in 1958. Central to this new product is the experience, by combining ritual acts with a respect for and making of the perfect filtered coffee or tea. The goal was to find a solution to present coffee and tea in a low-tech and slow style. It was important that different types of coffee could be chosen, as is already the case with tea. Keywords for the design are: Experience & ritual / Choice / Belgian style / Filtering / Time The result is a product with an international flair and an emphasis on quality and Belgian-style coffee. The graphics and packaging were designed by junior designer Elise Vandeplancke. www.kawatee.be
www.vivasara.be

This is a new product designed as part of the 5X5 project of Designregio Kortrijk, which consists of 5 companies of the region collaborating with a senior and junior designer.
www.designregio-kortrijk.be

Torna, a door handle collection for Maison Vervloet

Elegant and precious curve. Seemingly simple but looks different from every angle. When handling, discover the design that you do not immediately see with eyes. Designed so that any inlay can be used.

Genuine leather, colorful python or rare wood veneer sublimate beauty of Maison Vervloet’s brass artwork.
www.vervloet.com

Aroma-Vapology© with Narghilé

Nedda’s Narghilé is the ideal water pipe to enjoy Aroma-Vapology©. Aroma-Vapology© is a new way 'to enjoy flavors in their most pure and natural scents' without tobacco. In 2007 Nedda El-Asmar designed the first pewter Narghilé for the French label Airdiem. This strikingly sleek object is the modern version of the classic water pipe. The new version is made of polished stainless steel. The capsule in which the glowing charcoal rests can be securely covered with a lid. A built-in air valve allows for the release of smoke and prevents water flowing inside the burner. The Narghilé is available in the Classic version, Canon Black color (pictured), matte black or white painted, copper or gold finish.

A capsule collection for Diamanti Per Tutti

STUDIO|Nedda has collaborated with the Belgian company 'Diamanti Per Tutti'. The subtle shaped jewels are feminine, timeless and at the same time technically challenging to manufacture. The jewels are set with diamonds in such a manner that only the proud wearer can see them, hence the collection’s name 'A diamond only for me". All diamonds have a certificate of authenticity and are conflict-free.