richard yasmine's geometric multifunctional collection commemorates 2020 beirut explosion

in memory of the 2020 beirut explosion, lebanese designer richard yasmine has created the ‘after ago’ collection, comprised of handcrafted multi-material pieces that bear a profound symbolic meaning, but also serve as functional objects like seats, shelving units, tables, vases, etc. the geometric hybrid collection draws influence from the metaphorical postmodernism/memphis movement, exhibiting a twist of graceful art deco lines assorted to monolithic brutalism sobriety. seeking to serve as a tribute to a city, and an elegy of lost souls, the series transmits practicality however always remaining timeless and thoughtful.

longing for eternal life
all images courtesy of by cleerstudio, unless stated otherwise

‘after ago’ by richard yasmine is trying to showcase how simple lines can create an infinite range of objects that are both illustrative and minimal. the pieces are handcrafted and painted with different materials such as foam, lightweight concrete plaster, acrylic, and stoneware/clay. the volumetry of the collection was conceived through experimentation with different shapes, using various geometrical procedures like inserting, intersecting, extruding, and detracting. the resulting series presents an arrangement of simple, yet bold items that can be used in multiple ways.

a tribute to my city

the alteration between drawn black and white stripes on each side of the object expresses a dramatic illusion of the internal and spatial chaos. ‘black color is mysterious it is associated with the unknown future, the undesirable or sad past while white is considered to be the color of serenity and safety,’ explains richard yasmine. ‘black evokes sophistication the white communicates innocence and renewed beginnings’ he adds. the objects induce an emotional alteration of the self, sad/happy, mad/sane, anxious/calm, death/life hate/love. more importantly, they represent the character and history of beirut; a city with multiple lives and layers, which rises from the ashes after each disaster, always longing for eternal life. 

meditation

ode to an arch

the splendor of the curves

an elegy of lost souls

silence

fly high

first vessels sketches
image courtesy of richard yasmine

project info:

name: after ago
designer: richard yasmine

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom