DESIGN NAME: Qashqai Earrings
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Earrings
INSPIRATION: Inspired by Kilim patterns of the Qashqai tribe, the design has its roots in the culture of Iranian nomads. The tribeswomen of southwest Iran are renowned for their mastery of weaving and use of colors. They employ intricate techniques to create awe-inspiring patterns for art lovers. The idea for the work came to me after one of my trips to south-western Iran where I spent a few days among a Qashqai tribe. I had the chance to see for myself how these people weave their story into Kilim patterns.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Being a wearable, the earrings incorporate two aspects of the symbolism residing within the Qashqai kilims. First of all, the ram pattern humbly shining in matte gold, relates to the culture despite being transformed into a new entity. But it is not only the idea of fertility that springs forward as the animal has been symbolizing for hundreds of years among Qashqai. As the second aspect, the earrings bring in the medium from which the symbol arises as the tassel swiftly reveals itself as a Qashqai carpet thing, clinging to a modern version of the idea on a lady’s ear.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: As a jewelry with cultural and ethnical background, the user feels herself emotionally connected to an art piece which not only express the every-day stories of a tribe but also resembles modernity.
On the other hand, Unlike the other usual jewelries, the Qashqai earrings could be designed with different tassel colors which gives the user the opportunity to match it with her different styles and clothes.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project duration considering its idea generation, designing and making took about 6 months in 2017. The idea was generated in Fars province and the design was made in Tehran-Iran
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The earrings are made of gold plated silver and the tassels are 100% natural silk, knotted and formed by hand. The silver parts are laser cut on a 1 mm plate. Gas torch welding was implemented to connect the tassels to the main part by using a small ring.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Width 150 mm x thickness 1 mm x Height 250 mm
Material: silver 925
Weigh: about 2 grams each earring
TAGS: Tassel, Jewelry design, unique jewelry, Iranian Jewelry, Persian Jewelry, Qashqai, authentic, artistic jewelry, conceptual Jewelry, Modern Jewelry
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: After spending a few days with a Qashqai tribe in south-west of Iran and knowing about their lifestyle and listening to their tales, I started studying about them through many different articles. Also, some interviews were conducted with the experts who have spent many years studying Qashqais and their designs. The outcome was designing an earring which incorporates two symbols in the Qashqai kilims (i.e. ram and tassels).
CHALLENGE: The main challenge was to design a piece which not only incorporates a nomadic story and symbol but also is visually simple, eye catching and modern. In order to overcome this challenge, I had to study different symbols and patterns both visually and historically. After that, the patterns had to be transformed into the modern and simple sketches giving rise to an everyday wearable design.
The other challenge was to choose the most appropriate material for the tassels. In my opinion, pure silk was the best option which could characterize the Qashqai earring as an authentic and modern art piece.
ADDED DATE: 2017-10-17 12:02:48
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Designer: Arianaz Dehghan
IMAGE CREDITS: Image 01: photographer Mehrad Gholizadeh
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