Come Play With Us Bokja x Aïshti by the Sea Present SFERA

BEIRUT: 34 Lebanese artists and designers were given a circle to play with. The outcome: 36 spheres, each reimagined with their own story and distinctive characteristics, representative of today’s understanding of aesthetics and craftsmanship. The exhibition, curated by surface fabrication studio Bokja, opened at Aïshti by the Sea on Wednesday, September 28, and will be on display for a limited period of time. The artists were present to showcase and discuss their work with local and international performers, designers, and art enthusiasts, all the while revelling in the music, cocktails, food and vibrant ambiance. The evening buzzed with conversation and excitement around the pieces, which include multidisciplinary artist Sandra Macaron’s Aal Sekkin, featuring a gold butcher knife cutting through a metallic sphere representing Earth, and couturier Krikor Jabotian’s Couture Ball, embellished with silver threads, sequins, and pearls akin to a bridal gown. Designer Tamara Barrage’s Nucleus celebrates birth, life and new beginnings using cold porcelain and metal, the sphere cracked open to reveal the mystery inside. The SFERA exhibition showcases works by Ayla Hibri, Bashar Assaf, Basma Chidiac, Carlo Massoud, Creative Space, Cynthia Merhej, Dala Nasser, Elie Mouhanna, Geek Express, Ghassan Salameh, Ghouyoum, Gray Gardens Plant Studio, Iwan Maktabi, Joe Arida, Kashida, Krikor Jabotian, Lara Khoury, Mary-lynn Massoud & Rasha Nawam, Nada Debs, Rabih Geha, Rana Salam, Randa Ali Ahmad, Richard Yasmine, Samandal, Sandra Macaron, Second Street, Starch, Stephanie Mousallem Design Studio, Studio Caramel, Studio Safar, Tamara Barrage, Tarek Moukaddem, Vick Vanlian, and Wyssem Nochi. All art is available for purchase. Part of the collected proceeds will go to the Nadia Khoury Fund, supporting local artisan and evolving craftsmanship. Additionally, a special space at Aïshti by the Sea Level 3, also curated by Bokja, has been dedicated within the home collection department showcasing previous pieces of the SFERA participants. Come out and play! –
Bokja is a surface fabrication studio led by Huda Baroudi and Maria Hibri. The studio primarily utilizes textiles to create personable and tactile objects, from furniture items to installations. The workshop maintains the essence of storytelling through embroidery and textiles. Bokja is a pioneer in preserving local tradition while redefining it in a contemporary voice. Aïshti by the Sea is a 40,000 square-meter complex is located on a coastal site just outside Beirut. As of 2015, Aïshti by the Sea has become the newest lifestyle destination for fashion, wellness, food and art. The luxurious space designed by the renowned architectural practice Adjaye Associates holds under one roof five floors of selected fashion, jewelry and furniture brands, as well as a curated bookshop. There are around 100 fashion monobrand boutiques as well as Art People and Meat the Fish restaurants and Urban Retreat, the ultimate beauty and wellness destination.