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From the concept to the project

ALÌ HASSOUN
To make the hanukkiah I simply thought of the Arab phrase: Bismillahi al-Rahmani al-Rahimi (in the name of Allah, most merciful, most gracious) the opening phrase of the chapters of the Qur’an. Muslims recite these words as a blessing before performing their everyday activities.
On the hanukkiah the words also refer to Moses’ encounter with G-d in the wilderness “The Lord, the Lord, a G-d merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”. I designed the phrase in the form of a tree bearing the laser-cut iron candles. The lights rise in a harmonious sequence, symbolically reaching a higher octave. Far from being an attempt to superimpose the two holy languages, the work symbolises my desire for friendship among peoples, seeking beauty in the soul.