the study of symbolic food translated into furniture

‘ecstasy – attico’ by cristina celestinoall photos by mattia balsamini

studying the history of symbolic food–specifically that of the eucharist host–pure in form, value and meaning, cristina celestino strips the wafer of its religious value, and employs it as a texture in her ‘ecstasy’ furniture collection.the dressing table, with a basin and pitcher, can be interpreted on many levels, refined, abstracted in volume and transformed into an ‘aesthetic altar’, with four circular mirrors emerging from its table top, each featuring vivid graphics on their non-reflective side. the host’s form is seen repeated on the surface of a room divider and accompanying stool,  the repeated arrangement of the discs presenting a ‘blank canvas’ which contrasts the bold colors seen in the vanity.

the vanity includes a brass basin and four mirrors with solid oakwood top

the unleavened discs are applied to the furniture offering a simple graphic and texture, stripping the symbolic food of its religious value

detail

printed catholic eucharistic host on the back of the mirrors

printed catholic eucharistic host on the back of the mirrors

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.