Nowadays it’s as if constant happiness is what we should aspire to. This leaves no room for other, more reflective states of being and melancholy. And yet, in times gone by, these feelings were accepted in our daily lives as natural emotions, inherent to who we are.Based on her extensive research into past rituals of loss and sadness, Dutch designer Nel Verbeke explores how design can help us to allow moments of melancholy. She created a series of tools that give melancholy a role within the home – a reflective book and three objects that embrace these feelings in a different manner. Together, they invite us to experience a more human emotional balance. The three objets include a mirror fitted with memento mori, a metallic disc allowing moments of active contemplation, and a monolithic totem for cocooning the body.Based on an extensive research into past rituals of loss and sadness, Verbeke chose to work with slow-craft and historical materials that manage to convey the beauty of melancholy. These carefully chosen materials include wood, glass, silver, tin, copper and rough concrete.With a background in visual art and specialisation in design and design research, Nel Verbeke is primarily a concept designer. Balancing fine arts with design, her vocation will always be the emotional potential of shape and space. Fascinated by conceptual thinking, she shies away from the obvious focus. [Images courtesy of Nel Verbeke. Photography by Alexander Popelier.] Share the love:FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPinterest One Response Kenneth Mason November 26, 2015 While I see, acknowledge and distrust this constant of happiness many of us strive for, I am well aware of the danger of embracing melancholy. I would much rather have seen these objects turn into items to help us focus our medatative attention on. I have seen many items of great beauty on this site. Many of them have produced thoughts of wonder, thoughts of questions and thoughts of inward looking. My personal view of melancholy is that it is two steps away from depression. I view the jobs, works and items presented here as works of marvelous creation. They can and do ask questions, make us pause and admire their beauty and some even help to resonate in our souls and hearts. But I draw a line at sorrow,sadness and gloomy. I can appreciate the statement these pieces make, but I will not allow myself to personally ‘invest’ in any of them. ReplyLeave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ
Kenneth Mason November 26, 2015 While I see, acknowledge and distrust this constant of happiness many of us strive for, I am well aware of the danger of embracing melancholy. I would much rather have seen these objects turn into items to help us focus our medatative attention on. I have seen many items of great beauty on this site. Many of them have produced thoughts of wonder, thoughts of questions and thoughts of inward looking. My personal view of melancholy is that it is two steps away from depression. I view the jobs, works and items presented here as works of marvelous creation. They can and do ask questions, make us pause and admire their beauty and some even help to resonate in our souls and hearts. But I draw a line at sorrow,sadness and gloomy. I can appreciate the statement these pieces make, but I will not allow myself to personally ‘invest’ in any of them. Reply
