Editor’s Note
Welcome to identity’s January 2021 ‘Design Without Boundaries’ issue. With the start of every year, it has become customary to reflect on defining moments, challenges, and successes of the year gone by– and 2020 was as challenging a year as they come.
With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the world into lockdown, the idea around boundaries became apparent as an almost thematic thread: be it travel restrictions, mandatory face masks, social distancing and so on. In this issue we examine the theme of boundaries through a positive lens, looking at ways in which established boundaries were crossed to once again connect with one another.
In our interview with Palestinian architecture duo Elias and Yousef Anastas, who established online Radio Alhara during the lockdown, they reveal how the online station has connected creative minds from across continents and within the Arab world through music and shared interests. Living in Bethlehem, borders and boundaries play an encompassing role in the lives of the Anastas brothers, who are constantly faced with challenges around movement and connection with the outside world. During one of their radio shows, the team at Radio Alhara announced a peaceful protest to object the annexation of the West Bank, inviting DJs and creatives from across the globe to join. All invited participants agreed. What became interesting, Yousef said to me during a Zoom conversation, is that the protest became not just about the West Bank, but about injustice in all its forms and from all over the world. People came together from everywhere at a time defined by distance.
Similarly, this month’s cover tackles topics of movement, connection and disconnection and a desire for a unified freedom. Commissioned by Lexus for Design Miami/, designer Chrissa Amuah and architect Tosin Oshinowo worked together to develop artfully crafted headpieces that are derived from the most ubiquitous item of 2020: the face mask. “Thinking about the masks that we all now wear for daily protection, we wanted to take a step further and consider how we can not only protect ourselves but use this opportunity to celebrate our joint humanity. If we must wear masks, then let them be glorious!” the designers said.
Continuing the theme of ‘Boundaries’, we also explore the growing multidisciplinarity of the design field, featuring interviews with Barcelona-based architect Carmelo Zappulla and LA-based designer Willo Perron.
With the year we’ve just had, it is difficult to predict what 2021 has in store. Here’s hoping for more positivity, more connectivity and more works that respond to our challenging reality. I hope you all enjoy this issue and l look forward to seeing many more of you this year.