Le cercle # 13

publisher:

City News Privilege

on behalf of Le Cercle Hitti

editor in chief :

Anastasia Nysten

managing editor:

Helen Assaf

editorial assistant

Susan Wilson

graphic design:

Peter Korneev

printer:

CHAMAS

www.3achamas.com

contributors:

Alia Fawaz

India Stoughton

Louis Parks

Lucy Knight

Miriam Dunn

Owen Adams

Susan Wilson

advertising:

[email protected]

t: +961 3 852 899

n e w s h o o t s , f r e s h d e s i g n ideas and surroundings of lush

greenery – this edition of Le Cercle is immersed in all the joys of springtime.

What better time to see some of the world’s most dynamic new eco-architecture in its full glory? In this issue we explore the most amazing treehouses, as well as Stefano Boeri’s tree-clad urban high-rise, and a villa enveloped in a cascading Thai forest.

Delft blue and Dutch orange colors figure predominantly in the Andaz Amsterdam, where designer Marcel Wanders has melded his own panache in a respectful homage to past masters.

We take stock of the true zeitgeist at Maison et Objet – the latest Paris expo concentrates on “vivant” (living) – and also B&B Italia’s strikingly minimalist award-winners in Cologne, Design Days Dubai and the rising stars brought into focus by Beirut’s super-innovative Starch boutique.

Living isn’t living without some incredible scents, rooted in nature – and we explore the making of the deluxe Baobab candles that fill your home with exquisite fragrances.

We also pay homage to the wondrous Togo and Michel Ducaroy, the creator of Ligne Roset’s most enduring furniture, 40 years on from the squishy modular seating’s conception.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.

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PARK VIEW BUILDING, BOULEVARD DU PARC - BEIRUT T. +961 1 99 21 16 CHARLES MALEK AVE., ELLIPSE CENTER - ASHRAFIEH, LEBANON T. +961 1 20 00 01

WWW.WSAL A MOON.COM

wss_earrings_21x27_wss_earrings_21x27 8/22/11 3:02 AM Page 1

accessories

the springwishlist

AquAriusbottleBlown glAss And metAl

h. 38 cm

VAnessA mitrAni

gOeS WInDOW ShOPPIng fOR

SOMe Of ThIS SeASOn’S MuST-hAve PuRChASeS.

delftblueno.01mArcel wAnders

ceramic

w. 18.5 x d. 11.3 x h. 41 cm

moooi

eggVasemArcel wAnders

unglazed porcelain outside,

white glazed inside

Ø 9 cm x h. 14.5

moooi

upsideDownchristiAn ghion

mouth-blown glass

Ø 30 x h. 29 cm

ligne roset

BigbenmArcel wAnders

fiberglass with powder coated

aluminum hands

Ø 180 cm

moooi

liGhtinG

contAinerbyBenjAmin huBert

matt enameled ceramic base and shade

w. 16 x d. 32 x h. 40 cm

ligne roset

nonranDom BertjAn pot

fiberglass soaked in epoxy resin, powder

coated aluminum cap, reflector:

shiny anodized aluminum

Ø 48 x h. 54 / Ø71 x h. 70 cm

moooi

laDycedric rAgot

Black, beige or brick-red lacquered

tubular base. double lampshade.

h. 168cm

roche BoBois

chiwawaVincent olm

set of 3 lamps with epoxy black or

white lacquered metal structure

with touch dimmer.

w.8 x d.13 x h.12 cm

ligne roset

luGanopierre duBois & Alme-cecil

light gray and white ceramic.

white cotton lampshade

h. 78 cm

roche BoBois

lunArossaAntonio sironi

rusted surface, white lacquered

steel dome with led lights

Ø 80 x h. 40 cm

ligne roset

seatinG

Gothic chairstudio joB

polyethylene

w. 44.5 x d. 46 x h. 90 cm

moooi

toriinoe duchAufour-lAwrAnce

structure in beech. seat and armrests

in foam. fully removable covers.

Armchair: w.68 x d. 55 x h.70

footstool: w. 50 x d. 45 x h. 40 cm

ligne roset

nilsdidier gomez

fabric or leather upholstery

medium settee:

w. 186 x d. 102 x h. 62/64 cm

ligne roset

thibault DesombreBase in natural solid ash, whitened

or with black or ash gray stain

w. 44 x d. 60 x h. 84 cm

ligne roset

serpentineeleonore nAlet

quilted ‘lumps’ interwoven

with a delicate metal structure

w. 78 x d.58 x h.74 cm

ligne roset

FolkBenjAmin grAindorge

structure, seat and back slats in black

solid ash with a satin finish.

w.42 x d. 54.3 x h. 83 cm

ligne roset

elizabethnAthAn Yong

structure in black-stained ash. cushions

may be upholstered in different fabric.

settee: w. 126 x d. 103 x h. 95.5 cm

ligne roset

seatinG

teatimemuller wulff

Brilliant chromed structure.

exterior of top in sawn natural oak;

interior in satin pink lacquer.

w. 57.7 x d. 64 x h. 35 cm

ligne roset

nemesisligne roset

panels of particle board finished in natural

or black-stained oak veneer. Base in epoxy

lacquered steel with slightly grained finish.

w. 174/292 x d. 100 x h. 74 cm

ligne roset

itisyphilippine lemAire

natural solid oak, sawn. gray lacquered

metal ball joints. legs in solid oak.

w. 110/186 x d. 110/54 x h. 75 cm

ligne roset

poppy pattersonnumero 111

sawn natural oak veneer.

silk gray lacquered interior.

w. 90 x h. 95 x h. 24.5 cm

ligne roset

ballsBertjAn pot

oak veneer on honeycomb

panel top, solid beech legs with

powder coated steel fixings.

w. 100 x d. 24o x h. 75 cm

moooi

aoyamanoe duchAufour-lAwrAnce

Blue-colored toughened fused glass

w.112 x d. 81 x h. 37 cm

ligne roset

tables

manGroVemArco fumAgAlli

particle board structure in pmmA

with tinted oak marquetry

cladding, solid oak legs

4 door sideboard:

w. 220 x d. 50 x h. 73 cm

roche BoBois

et ceterapAgnon & pelhAître

structure finish is white,

argile or elephant satin lacquer.

lacquered or oak veneer fronts.

Various dimensional possibilities

ligne roset

element 005jAime hAYon

epp body upholstery in divina melange

w. 72 x d. 28 x h. 40 cm

moooi

elements 006jAime hAYon

solid wood top, epp base upholstered

in divina melange storage space inside

w. 50 x h. 45 cm

moooi

altDeutsche cheststudio joB

solid pine and pine veneer

w. 135 x d. 50 x h. 190 cm

moooi

alFreDnuméro 111

Ash or natural oak. divina acier.

wood frame: w 52,

upholstery section w 74 x h. 170 cm

ligne roset

l’art de vivreby roche bobois

See www.roche-bobois.com for collections, news and catalogues

Phot

o: M

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Spec

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BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/[email protected]

Large 3-seat Blogger leather sofa, design R. Tapinassi & M. Manzoni.Cute Cut cocktail tables, design Cédric Ragot.

European Manufacture

PUMPKIN armchair. Design: Pierre Paulin.Catalogue: www.ligne-roset.com

A subsidiary of the pan-Arab Web

Awards, the Lebanon Web

Awards brings together and

encourages the innovative spirit

and skills of web designers in

the country. Judged on its creativity, ease

of use, content, aesthetics and interactivity,

Le Cercle Hitti’s website rose to meet the

challenge and was recognized with gold for

its collaboration with Softimpact designs.

Reflecting the high standards

in design, innovation and style for which Le

Cercle Hitti is renowned, the website can be

viewed at www.cerclehitti.com

Le CerCLe Hitti was Honored at tHe Lebanon web awards witH its newLy designed website winning tHe goLd for tHe furniture Category.

Wo

rds:

su

sa

n w

iLs

on

PUMPKIN armchair. Design: Pierre Paulin.Catalogue: www.ligne-roset.com

W o r d s : S u S a n W i L S o n

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B &B Italia has come out

triumphant as a winner in the

renowned Interior Innovation

Awards 2013 at this year’s Imm

Cologne for two of its designs.

The first, the Orione storage units and

consoles, were designed by award-winning

italian furniture designer antonio Citterio,

and form part of Maxalto’s orione Lux

Collection. The second is the small

armchair, Theo, designed by Belgian

minimalist designer Vincent Van Duysen.

Both designs will now be displayed

prominently at a special installation of the

interior innovation award 2013, organized

by the German Design Council.

The brand also came out on

top, winning the interior innovation award

– Selection for the Tobi Ishi table. Designed

by one of this year’s designers of the year at

Maison et objet 2013 – British designers

Edward Barber and Jay osgerby – the

design was honored for its special quality.

EDWaRD BaRBER ET JaY

oSGERBY CREaTEuRS

noW DESiGn a ViVRE

Tobi ishi

©B&B italia

Design: Norbert Beck

If you listen to your senses,

you’ll experienceall that’s beautiful and exhilarating

in this world.Rolf Benz MIO, where i feel good.

PossibLy tHe worLd’s most astute barometer of design trends, tHe twiCe annuaL giant

exPo maison et objet returns to Paris witH sPring and summer’s tHeme: vIvANT - LIvINg.

W o r d s : o W E n a D a M S

MAISON et OBjeT

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I n many ways, the design

tendency, evaluated by an

observatory of experts, is a

continuation, or a culmination

perhaps, of the themes of ecology

and nature identified last year.

it’s a state of being where art

imitates life, the result of “our

dematerialized, virtual world… searching for

a harmonious lifestyle that is more

anchored in reality.” The analysts say: “We

are rediscovering the primal force of

original fodder.”

BARBeROSgeRBYone of the three Maison et objet’s noW!

Design à Vivre Designers of the Year were

the British duo Edward Barber and Jay

osgerby. The industrial designers create on

a diverse scale – from bespoke one-offs to

mass-produced objects, such as a new two-

pound coin. “We’re actually making money,”

marvels Barber.

They were chosen to design

the 2012 olympic torch. The 8,000

perforations in the torch reflected the 8,000

people carrying it in an 8,000-mile relay.

“We are interested in doing

things that are more inclusive,” says

osgerby. They have a crazy dream to marry

sculpture and architecture for a bridge

stretching from Britain to France.

01_____ EDWaRD BaRBER

and JaY oSGERBY

CREaTEuRS, noW DESiGn

a ViVRE,

Tab Lamp White, © DR


and JaY oSGERBY


a ViVRE Poppins-DB, ©David Brook


and JaY oSGERBY


a ViVRE PoRTRaiT,

©Linda Browlee

01

03

02

jOSePH DIRANDMaison et objet’s interior designer of the

year comes from the same city as the grand

expo. Dirand is inspired by the changing

Parisian skies which he watches from his

lofty office. architecture and design is in his

blood – the son of an interiors

photographer, he developed a fascination

with Le Corbusier, the gardens of Versaille

and india as a child.

“i do not consider myself an

inventor,” he says, “more a translator.” The

materials are vital. “i started using marble

with veins and suddenly i had opened the

field to an incredible range of new living,

poetic materials,” he enthuses.

01_____ JoSEPH DiRanD

CREaTEuR, SCEnES_D_

inTERiEuR_Distrito_

Capital-© adrien_Dirand

02_____ JoSEPH_

DiRanD_CREaTEuR_

SCEnES_D_inTERiEuR_

artcurial-

© adrien_Dirand

03_____ JoSEPH_

DiRanD_CREaTEuR_

SCEnES_D_inTERiEuR_

Emilio_Pucci-©adrien_

Dirand

04_____ JoSEPH_

DiRanD_CREaTEuR_

SCEnES_D_inTERiEuR_

Rick_owens-©adrien_

Dirand

05_____ JoSEPH_

DiRanD_CREaTEuR_

SCEnES_D_inTERiEuR_

PoRTRaiT_©adrien_

Dirand

01

05

02

03

04

ODILe DeCQFrench architect odile Decq is named as

Maison et objet’s Designer of the Year.

Having reached such a pinnacle is a

particular feat for a female designer. “i don’t

know if imposing one’s creations is what is

hardest for a woman,” she ponders.

She lives up to her ideal of a

woman who makes “things of great scale

and great power” – her current projects

include a museum in China and three

wholly glass houses in Brittany, France – but

is also a prolific sculptor, and has designed

everything from lamps and doorknobs to

silverware. “Through architecture you can

express things that allow human beings to

live well… Through art you can speak

politically,” she muses.

06_____ oDiLE DECQ

MaCRo TERRaSSE nuiT

©Roland Halbe

07_____ oDiLE DECQ

GuZZini FooD DESiGn

BREaD BaSkET 2010

08_____ oDiLE DECQ

CREaTEuR Mo

©oDBC LYon ext

09_____ oDiLE DECQ

CREaTEuR Mo Portrait

©markus deutschmann

06

07

09

08

01_____ nourritures

Premières by elizabeth

Leriche, geKe wouKers_

vegetables,

©geke woukers

02_____ nourritures


Leriche, spalsh, ©jean

jacques PaLLot milk

factory

03_____ nourritures


Leriche, baked table,

©andere monjo

04_____ terra Cota by talia

mukmel, © talia mukmel

05_____ nourritures


Leriche , mgx by

materiaLise dragonfly,

© mgx by materiaLise

02 03

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“M iddle eastern design is still

the last virgin territory in

the design world,”

announces Cyril Zammit,

director of the fledgling fair

Design Days Dubai (DDD), which opened

its doors to the public for the first time

last year. “We all know american, asian,

European design, but not many people

know about Middle Eastern design, so it

gives us an extra plus.”

now in its second year, DDD is

the only design fair in the world to

showcase contemporary design from six

continents. Like art Dubai - also part of

Dubai’s multifaceted art Week, which takes

place in late March every year - the fair has

an international outlook, but retains a

unique character of its own due to its

regional slant, with nine of the galleries out

of the 29 participating in 2013 hailing from

the Middle East. Zammit prefaced this year’s

edition by giving a lengthy series of talks

with artists, collectors, galleries and press in

now in its seCond year design days dubai Has aLready suCCeeded in forging its own identity amid a PLetHora of internationaL art and design fairs, more of wHiCH seem to sPring uP eaCH year. fair direCtor CyriL Zammit sHares some seCrets to tHe fair’s suCCess.

01_____ industry Gallery

Tom Price Bronze Chair

02_____ industry Gallery

antonio Pio Saracino

Molecular Chair

03_____ Broached

Commissions Chen Lu

Dream Lantern 4

04_____ BC Trent Jansen

Briggs Family Tea Service 2

05, 06_____ Carwan Marc

Baroud_1

01 03 05

02 04 06

Lebanon, Saudi, kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, abu

Dhabi, Berlin, Paris and London.

“it’s important for us to have an

understanding in the region about what

we’re doing,” he explains, “because when

we mention design, a lot of people are

thinking about design as an end-of-line

piece, more interior design... we don’t

necessarily want to be seen as a furniture

shop. of course you’ll see pieces that are

chairs and tables, and we have the

functionality of design, but we are a very

artistic aspect of it, which is like a new form

of art.”

Many galleries these days are

blurring the lines more and more when it

comes to what constitutes art and what

constitutes design, but Zammit sees the

distinction as something that ultimately

stems from the buyer, rather than the artist.

“i think it’s up to the person who says what

they want to do with the piece,” he says.

“Let’s say you take a chair... it depends how

you want to use it, if you want to use it like a

decorative piece - almost like a sculpture -

or you decided to potentially use it... it’s up

to you to do what you want with a piece

you are buying.”

Zammit has an egalitarian

approach to the fair when it comes both to

sellers and buyers, refusing to impose

restrictions on who can participate, or to

cater only to the ultra-rich. a range of

pieces priced between 5,000 and half a

million dollars makes DDD more accessible

than many fairs for young collectors on a

budget, while young galleries are also

welcome to exhibit. “You never normally

show in a fair if you’re less than three years

old,” says Zammit. “For me it’s not

necessary... if you’re a young gallery, you

probably have less collection to show than a

more established gallery, but if you’re good

you’re good.”

01_____ Stilwerk Moto oV

by sgrollvidal 2009

02_____ Stilwerk oskar

Zieta Plopp Standard

copper family 2009

03_____ art factum gallery

marilyn massoud rasha

nawam buildings

01

02 03

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cept

and

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Col

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Stu

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Pho

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abriz

io B

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mo.

LE CERCLE BEIRUT - AN NAHAR BLDG DOWNTOWN

MARTYR SQUARE T.+961 1 971444 555

ZOUK HIGHWAY T. +961 9 217744/55

MAXALTO IS A B&B ITALIA BRAND. COLLECTION COORDINATED BY ANTONIO CITTERIO. [email protected] WWW.MAXALTO.IT

Con

cept

and

Sty

ling

Col

lage

Stu

dio.

Pho

to F

abriz

io B

erga

mo.

LE CERCLE BEIRUT - AN NAHAR BLDG DOWNTOWN

MARTYR SQUARE T.+961 1 971444 555

ZOUK HIGHWAY T. +961 9 217744/55

MAXALTO IS A B&B ITALIA BRAND. COLLECTION COORDINATED BY ANTONIO CITTERIO. [email protected] WWW.MAXALTO.IT

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Scenes ofgreeN

With land Scarce and the

environment under threat, a number of

today’S deSignerS are putting

SuStainability at the heart of their

projectSW o r d s : m i r i a m d u n n

T he difficult challenge countries face in

finding a balance between protecting

the environment and driving new

development is one that often grabs the

headlines, stirring up emotion among

both green lobbyists and business

leaders.

yet, while discussions rage on about how

we can preserve the world’s natural beauty while

encouraging economic growth and housing a growing

population, a wave of developers are already flying the

flag for sustainable development, ensuring projects fit

perfectly into their surroundings and are eco-friendly,

helping to bring a little of the countryside to the city.

e’terra, ontario, canada

lavender labyrinth in the

middle of the cedar forest

photographer clay dolan

The mouNTAINouS TerrAIN of The rockIeS

certainly meant voorsanger architects had their work cut out

for them when they took on the challenge of creating a

sustainable project in aspen at an elevation of 9,200 feet. yet,

the Wildcat ridge residence has proved to be a major

success, offering its guests maximum views of the mountains

while slotting in perfectly on the glorious landscape through

the use of large expanses of exterior glass.

the design includes a dramatic, folded plate

roof, together with an immense moss rock wall that marks

the division between the east and west wings of the

building. by cleverly following the longitudinal parallel of

the crest of the mountain, the design never competes with

the scale of the mountains, but instead complements

them. guest bedrooms have an eastern orientation, with

views of the receding mountain ranges.

the decor includes exquisite black walnut finish

for the floors, walls and ceilings, while the exterior uses local

sandstone and stucco. geo-thermal wells and a generator

provide the house with sustainable energy, heating the

driveways, pool and house during the cold winter months,

while cooling the space during the summer.

“I hAveN’T DeSIgNeD A TreehouSe SINce my

childhood, let alone built a restaurant in one... now that

it’s completed, i’m really proud of the way it’s turned out.”

So said peter eising of pacific environment

architects, after designing the yellow treehouse

project, which is located on a site north of auckland.

the yellow treehouse concept came

about through a competition launched by advertising

giant yellow to build a working restaurant ten meters

high in a redwood tree. raised above an open meadow

and meandering stream on the edge of the woods, the

treehouse has a fairy-tale feel to it, which will delight

diners. it exudes an affinity with nature, thanks to its

timber-trussed, pod-like shape, which is wrapped

organically around the trunk but never dominates its

setting, giving off a welcome glow in the evening but

remaining semi-camouflaged during the day. the

finishing touch is a delightful ‘juliet’ deck opposite the

entrance, which offers amazing views down through

the valley. access is via a 60m tree-top walkway, which

is described as an adventure in itself.

PLANNerS hAve LoNg recogNIzeD The merITS

of building upwards rather than outwards to avoid

encroaching further on the countryside, but

maintaining a green and scenic skyline while doing so

has proved to be something of a challenge. the

innovative bosco verticale towers, designed by Stefano

boeri architects, not only address this issue but also

introduce a means of promoting urban biodiversity,

which could help ensure the environmental survival of

modern cities.

translating as vertical forest and

located in central milan, bosco verticale takes the

form of two residential tower blocks 80 and 112

meters tall, which also hold over 700 trees and

thousands of plants and shrubs. the urban ecosystem

is expected to create a vertical environment,

which will eventually become home to birds and

insects, helping to encourage the recolonization

of the city by vegetation and by animal life.

as well as providing a restful and relaxing

home environment, the towers optimize, recuperate

and produce energy, absorbing co2 and dust particles,

while generating oxygen.

WhAT BeTTer WAy To eNSure vISITorS Are

completely at one with their ambience than creating a

residence that envelops and embraces its

surroundings? villa amanzi, which is located in the

exclusive cape Sol on the West coast of phuket, does

exactly that. a stylish, yet relaxed getaway, the luxury

villa has been built into the world-famous granite rock

face along the north boundary, which serves as a

unique and spectacular natural wall to the dwelling.

guests will certainly feel they’ve left the

hustle and bustle of city life behind them, thanks to the

winning combination of ultra-modern contemporary

design, stunning ocean views and natural forest that

covers the location’s Kamala headland.

the villa boasts six en-suite bedrooms, all

offering unobstructed panoramic sea views, while the

lower level has a massage area and adjacent jacuzzi

bath. a sloping tropical garden and 15m infinity-edge

swimming pool are two additional delightful features,

with the former providing a stairway down to the

expansive sea.

DeScrIBeD IN equAL meASure AS AN

environmental eco travel destination, a private getaway, a

wellness retreat, and a spiritual hideaway, e’terra has clearly

touched its many visitors in a variety of ways.

nestled amongst the white cedar trees of the

niagara escarpment World biosphere reserve at the tip of the

bruce peninsula, the luxury villa estate, which champions an

environmental holistic design and prides itself on its small

ecological footprint, has been crafted from salvage timbers

and stone.

the estate is set on 700 feet of georgian bay

shoreline, offering visitors the luxury of an ancient coral reef,

alongside the wonders of its plentiful wildlife, which come

right up to the residence, and famous walking trails.

central to the concept of e’terra is its mandate

of mental, sensual, physical and spiritual wellness.

the estate includes superb dining options,

together with plenty of ways to relax, including a vast library,

massages and holistic treatments, which are offered by local

registered practitioners. visitors will also love the seasonal salt

water pool reservoir cloaked in waterfalls, which provides an

alternative to the natural waters of georgian bay and owes its

trapezoid shape to the glacial scour in which it was designed.

Photographer Clay Dolan

Entrance surrounded

by stone walls

W o r d s : S u S a n W i l S o n

V ery few 70s cult pieces

can be said to have

stood the test of time,

but Michel Ducaroy’s

1973 sofa design, the

Togo, has done just that.

a true bête de mode that

this year celebrates 40 years as a style

icon, the Togo was launched the same

year as the launch of the brand ligne

Roset. it won the René-Gabriel Prize for

‘innovative and democratic furniture’ in

1973 and has gone on to be produced

in a quantity of 1,280,000 pieces

worldwide that have sold in 72

countries.

Ducaroy’s vision for the

Togo has unusual yet fitting origins for a

piece so democratically designed,

being described as, “a tube of

toothpaste folded over on itself like a

stovepipe and closed at both ends.” and

“Since 1973, Togo has already wor ked its magic on t wo generat ions: t he t hird doesn’t have t o wait eit her ! ”

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“A t ube of t o ot hpaste f o lded over on itse l f Like a st ovepi pe and c l o sed at bot h ends.”

Miche l Ducar oy

so the Togo’s distinctive squished down

signature look was born.

Part of the Togo’s enduring

appeal lies in its ability to be customized

to suit every home. not just in color, of

which there are 899 choices in fabric

and leather, but also in layout. The Togo

comes in seven modules: large settee,

small settee, settee with arms, fireside

chair, mini-togo fireside chair, corner

seat and footstool. Each of these

modules can be used as independent

seating, or arranged together as corner

seating, a u shape or indeed any layout

you desire.

These handcrafted

modules – the upholstery process for

the large settee takes four or six hours

for fabric and leather respectively –

allow the Togo to fit into any home and

style, keeping the 40 year-old sofa

timeless and universal.

Comfortably supreMeTHE Togo ConTinuES iTS REiGn oF STylE

Taking pride of place at the latest Maison

et objet was a 40-year-old design icon, a

chaise updated in alcantara upholstery

with a digital houndstooth pattern –an

enduring classic of sublime desire, more

than 1,280,000 sales down the road. The Togo

represents a supremely comfortable revolution that

has cradled successive generations.

Michel Ducaroy first teamed up with

walking sticks and chair manufacturers Ligne Roset

in 1954, but it was in 1973 that he – and Ligne Roset

- truly arrived with the Togo, an all-foam settee with

quilted cover. The pleating formulated the pleasure

principle – between three and five different densities

of polyether producing the frame, allowing

ergonomic shape and comfort - and the supreme

modular seat cushions have adorned the living

rooms of the elite ever since.

Ducaroy was born into a family of

designers, and loved to experiment with new

materials since he struck out on his own in 1952. His

fusion of savoir-faire with dynamically new industrial

technology chimed with the Ligne Roset ethos.

Ducaroy died aged 84 in 2009, 20

years after receiving the ultimate French honor, the

National Order of Merit. In his 32-year career with

Ligne Roset he designed many other significant

pieces, starting with the Adria in 1968, one of the

first modular chairs shaped entirely with foam, then

the Kashima, Marsala and Safi. But his name will

always be synonymous with the 1973 Togo, the apex

of modernism and the synthetic age. Unlike many

other 1970s creations, post-modern condescension

has never consigned the Togo to the kitsch-ironic

drawer – and polyester remains queen of quilting.

In 2007, Ligne Roset miniaturized its

best-selling classic to create the Mini Togo for

children, and shrunk the low-rise seating further for

babies and toddlers. Togos for all ages come in an

ever-expanding range of colors and designs, from

the fireside chair for one, loveseat for two, to sofa/

settee with or without arms, corner seat and

ottoman. Ducaroy remains the high priest of

laidback leisuredom.

W o r d s : O w e N A D A M S



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Correspondances storage system.Mah Jong modular sofa, dressed in fabrics, design Hans Hopfer.Domino rug, design for Roche Bobois.


BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/[email protected]

-

Geneva reproduces recordings exactly as their Grammy andOscar-winning creators intended.

Great sound and design with no complications.

Distributed by

GENEVA SOUND IS “FURNITURE MUSIC” – A RENEWED FUSION OF HOME ENTERTAINMENT AND HOME DÉCOR THAT BRINGS TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN FULL CIRCLE.

SIZES: XS, S, M, L and XLMODEL FINISHES: Hand-lacquered wooden cabinets in Red, White, Black, or Walnut.

Geneva All-In-One Entertainment System

SIMPLICITYSOUNDSBETTER

Visit LCH to experience Geneva sound products.

SHOWROOM:LCH, Martyr Sq. Downtown. An Nahar Bldg. Beirut, LebanonT: +961 1 971444/[email protected]; www.cerclehitti.com

Changingrooms

Feel like a spring revival? CheCk out le CerCle’s stylish ideas For ways to

ring the Changes in your home.

Changingrooms

Feel like a spring revival? CheCk out le CerCle’s stylish ideas For ways to

ring the Changes in your home.

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1_____ Felt by delo lindo for

ligne roset

2_____ desa by pierre

Charpin for ligne roset

3_____ Contours by didier

gomez for ligne roset

4_____ Bloom by hiroshi

kawano for ligne roset

5_____ Felt by delo lindo for

ligne roset

6_____ Contours by didier

gomez for ligne roset

7_____ elysée settee by

pierre paulin for ligne roset

8_____ elysée pedestal table

by pierre paulin for ligne roset

9_____ trépied by normal

studio for ligne roset

10_____ mortaise by yota

kakuda for ligne rose

11

12 15

16

8 10

13

14

18

17

7

9

11_____ elysee by pierre

paulin for ligne roset

12_____ gavrinis by pierre

paulin for ligne roset

13_____ ploum by ronan &

erwan Bouroullec for ligne

roset

14_____ mobidec by pierre

Charpin for ligne roset

15_____ mixte by mauro

lipparini for ligne roset

16_____ ami de Jean by

gabriela Chicherio for ligne

roset lamp

17_____ Folk by Benjamin

graindorge for ligne roset

18_____ Créneau by elia gilli

for ligne roset

1

2

8

6

7

5

3

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1_____ icone by Cédric

ragot for roche Bobois

2_____ voiles by maurice

Barilone for roche Bobois

3_____ mangrove by marco

Fumagalli for roche Bobois

4_____ Focus by philippe

Boux for roche Bobois

5_____ impresario by

roberto tapinassi &

maurizio manzoni for

roche Bobois

6_____ precious by Cédric


7_____ reverb by Cédric


8_____ monster chair by

marcel wanders for moooi

andaz hotel - netherlands,

amsterdam, design by

marcel wanders,

photography by peer

lindgreen

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9

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9_____ mah Jong bed by

hans hopfer for roche

Bobois

10_____ Cute cut by Cédric


11_____ alster by emmanuel

dietrich for ligne roset

12_____ lantern by mathias

hahn for ligne roset

13_____ arobase by Cédric


14_____ ponyo by Cédric


15_____ waterline by Cédric


16_____ extension chair by

sjoerd vroonland for moooi

the galeries - australia,

sydney, the uncarved

Block, John Collings

W o r d s : l o u i s p a r k s

P h o t o s : m a n s o u r d i B

a homeFor all seasons

L e Cercle’s latest project by

Dori hitti, a stunning

chalet in Faqra, provides

the perfect example of the

designer’s minimal style

and attention to detail.

designed to make the most

of lebanon’s long summers as much as the

stunning scenery we enjoy at this time of

year, the chalet is a bespoke, year-round

family home.

the ground floor comprises a

kitchen with hidden storage units, cleverly

kept out sight behind detailed panels that

open when pressure is applied; a wide

living room featuring a five-meter long sofa,

a television that turns into a mirror when

turned off, and a stunning, narrow fireplace.

the guest bathroom features a stand-alone

washbasin where the

waterspout hangs from the

ceiling to create a truly unique

feature.

a striking storage

system for wine bottles starts at

the floating bar and progresses

onto the second floor, where

hitti envisages it being used to

display books in the family

room above. made from metal

with a dark finish, this ingenious

system shadows the floating

staircase leading to the second

floor, providing subtle lighting

and privacy for those heading

upstairs.

the family areas

on the second floor are typical

dori hitti, clean lines and clever

use of space though further

hidden storage units underline

the modern, fresh feel of the

residence. private, yet also

personal, the space includes a

bedroom for two children, a

master bedroom, bathroom

and a communal area.

hidden by the

snow, the outside decking area

leads onto a landscaped

garden, allowing the family to

enjoy the stunning mountain

views in the summer time.

exuding modern, clean lines

throughout, this Faqra chalet

embraces the very best of

modern, minimalist design

principles, while remaining a

warm, family-oriented space.

AmsterDAm ahoy

I n the very center of

Amsterdam, on the site of a

former public library, now

stands the Andaz Amsterdam,

the latest addition to a global

hotel family. located on the

prinsengracht, a unesCo world

heritage listed ring of canals, the interiors

purposefully provide a reflection, not only

of the surrounding city as it currently

stands but also of its history.

the design for the interior

of the hotel was left in the hands of

famed and ubiquitous designer

marcel wanders, who has exhibited

at the museum of modern art in

new york, and the v&a museum in

london. wanders is not only a

local but also an expert in sleek

and modern portrayals of traditional

designs. the theme of the hotel is travel

and wanders has tackled this through

representations of the nautical, navigation

and adventure.

taking such a neoteric

approach has created a hotel not only with

the vibe of an old city but with the

sleekness of the 21st century. there are 117

artistically designed guestrooms and five

suites, each containing a representation of

holland’s cultural heritage, with

associations such as dutch delft Blue,

tulips and the color orange, wallpaper in

blues and white, avant-garde orange

armchairs, and probably the most futuristic,

the ‘Connected polarity’ images appearing

on each room’s back wall. For these images

wanders has taken two inanimate and

W o r d s : l u C y k n i g h t

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aBove right:

andaZ lobby

right:

andaZ Canal view king

AmsterDAm ahoy

unrelated objects that can be joined

symmetrically with the three x’s of

amsterdam’s flag: a spoon and fish, a brush

and fish, a vase and fish, all sitting

contentedly side by side – a representation

of creativity and tolerance.

the crowning glory is the

tribute to travel that can be found in the

ancient navigation technique of following

the stars in the hotel’s ‘observatory’, which

consists of an array of large, low-hung, lit

baubles and chandeliers. sumptuous blacks

and grays, deep blues, velvets and glass, are

all set to inspire a guest, whether in the bar,

restaurant, lounge or just the lobby.

the andaz amsterdam offers a

unique experience and thus will delight the

palate of even the most jaded and world-

weary traveler searching for that elusive

something different.

aBove: andaZ lounge

right: andaZ observatory

Get the free App!available after the 1st of Maywww.citynewspublishing.info

magazine now on ipad

Interview modular sofa, design Sacha Lakic.Features integrated USB port and digitallycontrolled position memory feature for independent control of the seats and backrests.Vador low tables (4 shown), design Carlo Zerbaro.



Phot

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com

; TAS

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Features integrated USB port and digitallycontrolled position memory feature for independent control of the seats and backrests.

BEIRUT DOWNTOWN33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/[email protected]

E ach and every one of

Baobab’s candles is a

unique creation. the

handmade perfumed candles

are the work of expert

craftsmen who pour the hot

colored wax into distinctive

vases blown by glassworkers, and

fashioned pristinely straight through cold

cutting and hand polishing. the raw

materials of the candle are chosen to the

highest of standards, with fragrances

from a grasse perfumery, mineral and

non-oily wax, and wicks made of egyptian

cotton.

the candles are available in

a selection of five sizes – including the

“maxi max” candle, a stunning 40 cm high

and 10 kilo masterpiece that will produce

its light and perfume for a thousand

BAoBABColleCtionthe making oF Candles

W o r d s : s u s a n w i l s o n

hours. the wicks of the candles are placed

in glass, colored glass and stainless steel

holders with the hot wax poured into each.

a wooden beam placed across the top of

the candle holder then keeps the end of

the wick out of the cooling wax. once

cooled, each container has a label placed

on it, and a black ribbon tied around the

holder, both by hand.

to complement this

minimalistic decoration, each candle is

then placed in the distinctive Baobab black

box, designed by a Belgium craftsman and

enclosed with buckram paper.

with its origins in the african

landscape of tanzania back in 2002,

Baobab since moved its base of production

to Belgium in 2004, and, with almost a

decade to its name, Baobab is now leading

the way in the production of elegant, richly

perfumed decorative candles.

GrAvitylampsan artFul approaCh to lighting

W o r d s : l o u i s p a r k s

Designed with nature’s forces

in mind, Dori hitti’s Gravity

Lamps seem to teeter on the

edge of possibility.

resembling a tower of boxes

just about to collapse, the

gravity lamps are as much a

piece of sculpture as a source of light.

where the inspiration came from, hitti isn’t

quite sure, perhaps a set of boxes about to

fall, perhaps the soaring, contemporary

towers of the uae, wherever the genesis

lies, the result is a striking piece of art.

envisaged as a sculpture rather

than a light, the gravity lamps are an

inspiring line, perfectly blending form and

function and something hitti is justifiably

proud of. the idea that gravity holds the

world together, yet also creates limits, limits

that must always be tested, enabled the

designer to create something truly unique.

available in three sizes and

color combinations, from chrome to a dark,

brushed steel and finally red, the pieces are

a limited edition, and each one is signed and

numbered. sure to appeal to the art lover in

all of us, the gravity lamps are at once eye-

catching pieces of art and a contemporary

lighting solution.

Designers ofsubstancesTArCH unveils iTs new bATCH of Homegrown CreATive TAlenTW o r d s : A l i A f A w A z

I t’s a pioneering fashion/design project in

Lebanon with a name that represents a

white, odorless substance. However,

starch is anything but dull as it is arguably

the single biggest supporter of emerging

creative talent in the country, started by

renowned fashion designer rabih Kayrouz

and Tala Hajjar five years ago, in collaboration with

solidere.

for this 2013 fashion year the starch

foundation showcases some of the most promising

new talent each with their signature style. The new

candidates (they are rotated each year) are guided

through the process of developing their collections as

well as promoting them through communication and

marketing while being given retail experience, thanks to

the use of a store in the heart of beirut’s vibrant art and

culture district - saifi village.

like the name of the foundation, the

designers behind it represent the qualities of the

chemical substance it stands for: a hardening or

Designers ofsubstance

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bonding component in the textile industry.

metaphorically, the designers symbolize the

component parts and creative agents for the

burgeoning fashion and design industry in lebanon.

This year the creative brat pack is led

by stephanie Moussallem, a product designer by

profession, who helped re-design the boutique

giving it an industrial edge. she took inspiration

from a local beer factory (961). using a large

wall panel as the backdrop, she recreated the

same metal pipes as the brewery to protrude

from the life-size picture and continue

throughout the store doubling as railings for

the clothes.“i wanted to contradict the idea

of what a boutique should look like, but

while making it practical and aesthetic as

possible,” she explained. This design

philosophy is also apparent in her

beautiful collection of magnifying

glasses and marble and brass desks

produced for the store.

bashar assaf brings an eclectic range of

ladies ready to wear that is inspired by

geology. “i’m really interested in the

metamorphism of rocks,” he tells us. This

passion was developed into customized

prints, giving his collection a somewhat

sci-fi flair. Assaf, who also works as a stylist

for production houses in lebanon and

saudi Arabia, wants to focus more on prints

next season and begin his first menswear

collection.

striking with the strongest commercial

appeal is Hussein bazaza’s first ever

collection, which features plenty of

elaborate pieces in dramatic cuts

using velvet, knit crochet and even

brocade in rich colors. bazaza also

teaches the craft at esmoD – the

country’s leading fashion school.

Perhaps the most experienced of the

crew is sevag Dilsizian, having worked

in jewelry making for two decades. He

launched his first collection of unisex

statement rings titled DAs, which means

“to give” in his native Armenian. The

rings are all made with brass as the main

metal then mixed with gold and black

rhodium. each ring comes with a name

and a small story, making the bearer

feel special with the poetic themes

and intricate handcrafted designs.

Another designer also with Armenian

heritage is celine Der torossian who

could easily pass for a model. she

produced a successful fashion installation

and collection launched at the smo gallery

last year. for her first starch collection, she

drew upon art deco and geometrical

references and created shapes from

neoprene fabric (commonly used for scuba

gear) pressed onto various beautifully

tailored black jersey wardrobe separates.

Clearly the members of the starch team

bring their unique stories with their dazzling

creations. To view this design team’s

spring/summer 2013 and second

collection, visit sTArCH boutique located

at 1051 Quartiers des Arts, saifi village

(www.starchfoundation.org).

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T he brainchild of friends Dalia

Dogmoch and Racil chalhoub,

the concept boutique was

designed to feel like home.

The successful venture in beirut

provided the launching pad for

the Kitsch Cupcake bakery in

Dubai, expanding the concept beyond

lebanon.

Here in beirut Kitsch is definitely

a place to visit, not just to explore all they

have to offer in terms of fashion but also for

delicious home-cooked fare. breakfast,

brunch, lunch, tea, coffee, cakes and an

early dinner are all on offer at Joanna’s Table

in the Kitsch boutique. The restyled space,

with bright white tables, was designed by the

talented Joanna Debbas, to provide a light

and comfortable space for people to sit and

enjoy her delicious home cooking.

still the place to come for a

cupcake – the nutella cupcakes are a

particular favorite – Joanna also provides

delicious traditional lebanese foods, along

with pastas, burgers, seafood and more in a

constantly updating and refreshed menu.

Her mantra: always use the freshest

ingredients.

she even sells healthy snacks,

dried fruit and herbs, and has recently

collaborated with Chef Karim Haidar and

boutique wineries of lebanon creating a

special menu for meat and seafood lovers at

the Kitsch boutique.

To keep abreast of the delicious

food on offer and the special menus, follow

the updates on www.facebook.com/

KitschConceptstore, and make sure to head

down to Joanna’s Table for whatever tickles

your fancy.

Joanna’sTAble

W o r d s : s u s A n w i l s o n

P lan beY produces

publications and objects in

limited runs through its

work with local artists,

designers and artisans.

These works, created primarily

by beirut or berlin-based artists

- where they have a sister boutique called

b/b multiples - are produced in ways that

would be too expensive for large scale

manufacturers, and are sold exclusively in

the boutique. working with various hand-

printing techniques - such as manual press

printing with photo-engraved plates,

silkscreen and wooden stamps - the

boutique is one of the few places in beirut

where you will come across such artisanal

production.

equally impressive, they also

employ various hand-binding techniques

on their ‘Pictogram’ line and other artist

publications. These manual techniques, in

limited runs, produce end products that are

more personal and artistic in keeping with

Plan beY’s philosophy.

An on-going project “les

Tiroirs des Photographes” comprises the

work of young professional and amateur

photographers, creating the chance for

these artists to engage with the public in a

limited run of one-off images. This is

complemented by Astray, which was

launched in september last year, featuring

work from more established photographers

in beirut, berlin and Copenhagen – the

latter being the location of another sister

boutique, Korridor no. 33 – which is

available at each of the boutiques.

A chance to immerse yourself

in a cultural concept boutique in the heart

of beirut, Plan beY is a place not to miss.

Find out more at www.plan-bey.com

A musT-see in mAr miKHAel is PlAn beY, beiruT’s CounTer To THe rise of mAss ProDuCTion in ArTisTiC worK.

PlAnbeY

W o r d s : s u s A n w i l s o n

PrussiAnbLue

Located in Mar Mikhael,

Prussian blue, a natural

beauty product boutique,

will be one year old this

March. gorgeously designed

in part by owner Yasmine

ghandour, the boutique houses

products from lebanon and around the

world with local organic soaps Ambrah

and scotland’s Arran Aromatics just a few

of the brands represented. All its beauty

items are natural with most of their brands

organic and every beauty product stocked

in the boutique - from lebanon, france,

Jordan, scotland and Denmark - free

from animal testing. not to worry though,

Prussian blue has tested each and every

product on family and “they seem fine.”

every beauty product you could

desire for the body and face is available at the

boutique: creams, scrubs, salts, masks,

serums, shower gels, soaps, hand wash, hand

cream, mud masks, body milk, oils, sun

cream, contour des yeux and more. it is also

a great place to visit if you are looking for a

gift for that special someone, with ceramic

plates and baskets that can be filled with

whatever you desire or gift cards for those

not quite brave enough to pick out beauty

products themselves.

open monday to friday, 10am

to 7pm and saturday from 11am to 7pm, the

boutique will soon be moving online at www.

prussianblueshop.com. in the meantime get

down to Ashrafieh and enjoy perusing all this

charming boutique has to offer in person.

W o r d s : S u S a n W i l S o n

B orn in Al Ghazieh, Chafa

Ghaddar studied Visual

Arts at ALBA before

embarking on a freelance

career in wall painting.

Her most recent work,

Spectrum, was exhibited

during Exposure 2012 at the Beirut Art

Center from November 15, 2012 to January

23, 2013.

The city of Beirut and her

childhood home form the focus of

Ghaddar’s work. During her years of study

at ALBA, Ghaddar moved from a focus in

painting to the discovery of photography,

though as she says of herself, “I cannot say

I am only a photographer nor only a

painter, I’m a fine artist that works with

both mediums.”

In February last year she

attended an intensive course on fresco and

traditional painting techniques in Florence,

prior to the creation of her own fresco in

Beirut Art Center’s recent exhibition.

Ghaddar, who is “extremely fascinated by

the fresco technique,” sees it as a homage

or extension of some of the first acts of

artistic discovery. “The very first humans

used raw natural color pigments,” says

Ghaddar, explaining her fascination with

the technique’s anthropological history and

her own effort to project it onto

contemporary times.

It is also a process. It took

Ghaddar nine days to execute this 80

square meter fresco, and she worked at it

from seven in the morning to almost

midnight every day. The fresco technique

involves a mural painting on freshly laid lime

plaster which acts as a vehicle for the

pigments. In Ghaddar’s case she used

mineral charcoal and ashes to evoke the

memory of the fire that raged through her

childhood home back in 1985, and red and

black iron powders to echo the erosion.

The mix of the wet mortar and the air that

dries the pigments in turn produces the

scent of mould.

That process is part of what led

Ghaddar to utilize the buon fresco technique

in her latest work. Her concept, this strive to

regenerate and capture the fleeting reality of

her home in the face of ongoing

degradation, is well suited to the nature of

the fresco process. Speaking on fresco

Ghaddar says, “I believe it is a very organic or

living material … something that lives with

the space in a very engaged way …

everything ages with time and is [subject] to

degradation but the fresco is a process while

it’s being built until the final, the end of an

execution, it’s a process that keeps living and

creating itself constantly.”

Her fresco in Spectrum

represents the ongoing degradation

and shifting reality of her childhood

home but the concept behind it is one

Ghaddar intends to invoke across the

city of Beirut, transcribing it onto a

bigger scale and wider audience.

SHooTING THE

W o r d s : : I N D I A S T o u G H T o N

and other artistic absurdities

Lebanese painter, sculptor and

urban artist Nadim Karam has

been making waves

worldwide with his sculptural

urban art for decades. It is no

surprise then that Ayyam Gallery

chose Karam to represent art

from the region during Ayyam’s inaugural

exhibition in London, its first location

outside the Middle East. In many ways

Ayyam and Karam seem made for each

other. “Ayyam is pushing the limit like I do,”

says Karam, with a laugh. “The more I do

challenging things the more I find that

they’re doing the same... it’s by both of us

pushing in different directions that we’re able

to strengthen and move forward.”

For Ayyam’s grand opening

Karam put together a collection of his

whimsical, child-like paintings, in which

cheerful colors and simple, outlined shapes

are contrasted with adult themes such as

war and death. “I’m trying to show the way I

grew in the region,” the artist explains. “I see

lots of things happening around me - war

and other things - as being absurd. They just

repeat themselves - we are not able to get

beyond them.”

The resulting paintings are

engagingly surreal, stimulating the viewer’s

imagination. “Hold Your Tears” shows a

genderless white figure in front of a

featureless khaki background. on his hairless

head a tiny black elephant - a recurring motif

in Karam’s work for many years now - is

perched precariously, as though about to

slide off. From his eyes two enormous

protrusions, like sacks full of grain, extend

forward on narrow stalks before ballooning

out and down. one impossibly long arm

holds these expansive teardrops aloft, just

above the ground.

Another piece, “Planting the

Dream,” explores the absurdity of war, as a

hunched figure extends one arm to pick a

bunch of flowers, oblivious to the tank

driving relentlessly up his long, white limb, its

gun emitting a blast of smoke into his face.

“The title of the exhibition is ‘Shooting the

Cloud,’” Karam explains. “If you try to shoot a

cloud what do you get? The bullet goes

through - you can’t break our dreams....

Whatever the trials, I think that the dream will

continue - especially through creative people

like myself and others around us in the

region.”

The opening, on January 24,

was a resounding success, attracting over

700 visitors who formed a queue extending

along New Bond Street as they waited for

their chance to see Karam’s work. With

overwhelmingly positive reviews in the British

and international press, both Ayyam and

Karam seem to have made their mark on the

uK art scene within the space of a few hours.

NAdim KArAm’s SoLo SHoW AT AYYAM’S NEW LoNDoN GALLErY ExPLorED THE ABSurDITIES oF LIFE, LovE AND WAr.

The ArT of phiLANThropy

FroM BruSSELS THE BoGHoSSIAN FouNDATIoN rEACHES ouT To THE WorLD

W o r d s : L u C Y K N I G H T

F or those familiar with the

world of fine jewelry, the

Boghossian name is a classic.

Lebanese jewelers of Armenian

descent, their family has a story

to tell that many can relate to.

Having left Armenia after the

genocide of 1915, for Lebanon, and then,

due to civil war there having to move to the

next welcoming city, they found

themselves in Brussels. The family has

continued to thrive in the jewelry business

and with a heritage cultivated through

migration and struggle, it seems to have

been a natural progression for the

Boghossians to give aid to those in need. It

was the 1988 earthquake that devastated

parts of Armenia which acted as the

catalyst for their extensive humanitarian

work in Armenia, Lebanon and Syria - in

1992 the father robert and his two sons

Jean and Albert, created the Boghossian

Foundation.

Based in the 1930s villa

Empain in Brussels, since 2006, the

foundation has, through a series of

projects, both practical - portable

water projects for isolated villages,

renovation of Yerevan’s only

remaining public park - and

aesthetic - art and design prizes,

exhibitions and lectures - worked

to contribute to the artistic and

cultural dialogue between East

and West through activities, in

Belgium and abroad.

The focus on art

is also not just confined to

the projects or the jewelry

making - Jean Boghossian

has been practising his

craft for nearly 30 years,

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oPPoSITE: Cecchini

ABovE:

Jean Boghossian

and for the last three has been working on

a concept using fire. Already exhibited in

Beirut, South Korea and Brussels,

Boghossian was inspired by the element, a

key tool in the jewelry making process. “I’m

captivated by the way fire can change the

colors, shape and material of an object,” he

says. “You just have to take a welding torch

and you’ll get so many complex results.”

using art to improve the world,

as well as create his own, Boghossian is

now in preparation for his next exhibit –

having previously treated canvasses and

paper with flames, he will now be using the

same techniques on books.

As is described in the mission

of the Boghossian Foundation, art is a

universal language, going beyond

boundaries. “It opens ways of

communication that have no aggression,”

says Boghossian. “A link between East and

West that is not impeded by religion and

politics.”

For more information on the

work of the Boghossian Foundation, visit

their website www.villaempain.com

Jean Boghossian will be

exhibiting at the Bibliotheca Wittockiana:

Museum of Book Bindings and Book Arts, in

Brussels, 20 June to September 2013.

01_____Maruyama

02_____Hydrasphere

03_____Chevalier

03

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Le cercle # 13

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Transcript of Le cercle # 13