Jacopo Foggini: Beauty Born from Beirut’s Contrasts
In a recent interview with Annahar, Italian designer and artist Jacopo Foggini shared his deep fascination with Beirut, a city that has long captivated him. His work, showcased at We Design Beirut in Villa Audi, draws inspiration from the stark contrasts found within the city’s architecture. Foggini describes Beirut’s energy as uniquely compelling, stating that he’s “found Beirut as I’ve never seen it before.”
A City of Contrasts
Foggini’s artwork, titled “Cheese Smile,” encapsulates his perspective on Beirut. He explained that what attracts him to Beirut is “the obvious contrast between a brand new building and another destroyed and full of holes next to it.” This juxtaposition sparked his creative process, leading him to create a piece of cheese symbolizing this very disparity. He recalled that in the 1960s, Beirut was known as the “Switzerland of the East,” a detail that further fueled his artistic vision.
Memory and Transformation
Foggini’s work carries a powerful message about the importance of memory and transformation. He emphasizes the need to “preserve our memory, as it is very necessary.” He believes that while it’s crucial not to forget the past, it’s equally important to transform tragedies into something beautiful that even children can appreciate.
The Italian designer further elaborated that his artwork is crafted from polycarbonate, a material derived from oil, which represents the essence of all that was once alive on Earth. This choice symbolizes the idea of transformation – that even from seemingly unpleasant things, beauty can be created. Through “Cheese Smile,” Foggini prompts viewers to see the potential for beauty and renewal in the face of Beirut’s complex history.
Source: Annahar
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