Artist Dania Almouine discusses new jewelry
Syrian designer Dania Almouine discussed her necklace that pays tribute to late Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, who would have turned 100 this year.
Here, the artist breaks down her “River of Sorrows” necklace in her own words.
“This might come as a surprise, but I used to be a dental technician. I made dentures. Even when I was studying dentistry, I didn’t want to continue in that field. Jewelry was on my mind.
Its technique is really close to dentistry’s — the pouring, the wax carving, the molds, and the attention to detail.
“I think I started reading Nizar Qabbani when I was 12 or 13 years old. He was really important to me. His poetry is direct, simple, and modern. Even at a young age, I truly felt — and understood — what he was saying in his poems. I had this dream of making a collection inspired by him.
“Every piece would have a story behind it. It could be a gift for a special occasion, where, if words fail you, the piece could express your feelings. And because some people don’t read anymore, perhaps it’s a way of preserving our literary heritage.
“I designed ‘River of Sorrows’ in 2006. It came to me easily. I wanted it to embody the shape of a pear, which I find to be very feminine. It’s a wraparound necklace, without a clasp, so there are various ways of wearing it; one strand can be long with the other shorter, for example, or you could wrap it around your neck with the strands hanging at the back.
“A professional calligrapher designed the text. It was manufactured in Aleppo. I start my process by thinking of the words and how they take up a certain space; then comes shaping, 3D-drawing, alterations, casting, and coloring.
“The piece is inscribed with verses from a poem by Qabbani, which touched me. It says: ‘Shall I say I love you, my love? Ahh
... If only I could/I don’t own anything in this world, except your eyes and my sorrows.’ People will sometimes buy the piece just because of the poetry.”
Every piece would have a story behind it. It could be a gift for a special occasion, where, if words fail you, the piece could express your feelings.