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Aqua Creations: Let there be Light!

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Aqua Creations: Let there be Light!

Text: Tatiana Stolyarova

Photo: Albi Serfarty

March 4 2023

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Text: Tatiana Stolyarova

Photo: Albi Serfarty

March 4 2023

 

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The team of Aqua Creations has a very particular approach to lighting: since 30 years they have been hand-making lamps which capture all eyes not just by theirs organic, original shapes inspired by nature but also by the strong engagement in social issues.

Thus, the lighting became the medium for Albi Serfaty, the founder of the Studio to draw attention to the enviromental problems such as critical state of freshwater imbalance worldwide.

Through spellbinding designs combined with master craftsmanship and innovative technology, light fuses with function and becomes art.

Let’s start from the very beginning: when and how was «Aqua Creations» conceived?

During a holiday in the Sinai desert in 1992, my partner and I were snorkeling above a beautiful coral reef when the idea for a new concept for a furniture and lighting studio came to us as a gift from the Red Sea. Inspired by the vibrant colors and unique shapes of the underwater, we began designing our first pieces. Many of these early designs still are a part of our studio’s current collection.

Where the name «Aqua Creations» came from?

Choosing the name ‘Aqua Creations’ for our studio was a simple decision, it was a tribute to the underwater world that inspired our first designs. As our studio has continued to grow, our name has become even more relevant, especially with our focus on social and environmental design.

The organic shapes of your lightings have signature style. Where does the inspiration come from?

Despite the evolution of our designs towards a more contemporary aesthetic, ‘Aqua Creations’ distinctive DNA of bold colors, natural fabrics, and organic shapes continues to be a part of each creation. Our latest collection, The Lakes, exemplifies this development in our work. While the designs are still inspired by the natural world, this collection also allows us to highlight issues that are critical and extend beyond design. For instance, this collection was inspired by the alarming state of freshwater lakes globally, such as lake Chad (located in Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger) which has reduced in size by 95% in its history, and lake Doiran (Greece and North Macedonia), which is on the brink of an ecological disaster due to drought and excessive water usage.

As a studio, we believe that design has the power to bring awareness to these critical issues and spark change. Therefore, we will continue to create pieces that not only inspire but also ignite conversations and encourage action.

Every creation of Albi Serfaty, the lead designer of the studio seems to attract attention to different social issues (creating deep emotions at the same time). What are they? Why is it so important for the creative to stay engaged?

Light has always been a powerful medium for evoking emotions in our studio. Now, we are using our emotional design language to explore our relationship with the world around us. In December of last year, we made our debut at Design Miami with an installation titled ‘Light on Water,’ with the goal of drawing attention to the critical state of freshwater imbalance worldwide. After taking inspiration from nature for over 30 years, I believe it is our responsibility to give back, and we strive to achieve this through our designs that bring attention to pressing global issues.

In « Light on Water » collection you started the conversation about the imbalance in freshwater lakes around the world. In which way your creations help to re-establish this balance?

The Aqua Creations studio has gained a reputation in the design world, and addressing social issues through our works has created a significant impact on our network, fans, and design enthusiasts. Our hope is that some of these works will be purchased by individuals who have the ability to make a change. We chose Design Miami as a platform to showcase our latest collection because we knew it would create waves and reach many influential people in the design world. Creating awareness with our latest collection was the first step for our studio to make a chance, but more is going on behind the scenes. Our team is currently working on a project we call ‘Reef Protectors’ for which we are setting up a structure to protect the same coral reefs where Aqua Creations was ‘born’. We are collaborating with locals in Sinai, Egypt, to educate both locals and tourists on how to treat coral reefs and protect this delicate ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.

What are the latest projects you worked on and the ones you are currently on?

Iam a visual person at the core, so “the world in images” fuels my creativity. I absorb countless mental images like a sponge, and th

Prior to ‘The Lakes’, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the studio released “Code 130˚” as a way to bring some joy and optimism to people during a difficult time through light and color, by making them lift their heads and look up. The title refers to the angle at which one raises their head to see our lights. Currently, the studio is working on a new project called “*The Dying Dead,”* which focuses on the overuse of the water of the Jordan River (Israel) that feeds into the Dead Sea. The project aims to draw attention to the ecological consequences of this overuse.

ey subconsciously find their way into my artworks.

My travels brought me face-to-face with diverse environments and people and that has been a great source of inspiration.

Each lamp created by three artisans in charge of one element of it: metal or woodwork, electricity, and shade. How much time does it take to produce such a hand-crafted lighting?

As we do not carry stock and make every lamp to order, the process usually takes between 4-10 weeks. We are also experts in creating custom lighting fixtures. This could involve a custom silk color or a slightly bigger or smaller size, but more often we take on the entire design process from initial briefing until installation for hotels and restaurants. These projects can take several months to complete.

What does prevail in your creations: craftsmanship or art?

Answering this question is not easy, but I can share my vision. The design should embody our studio’s signature craftsmanship and showcase originality. Moreover, it should be regarded as a work of art. Additionally, I believe that beauty is often underestimated in contemporary design, so it is crucial that the final product is aesthetically pleasing.

I believe that sustainability is in the core of your work. What does this approach [sustainable] represent to you?

When we started Aqua Creations 30 years ago, sustainability was more of a recommendation than a requirement. However, the materials we used, such as silk, felt, and metal, were already recyclable. Today, sustainability has become a necessity, and we make every effort to be as sustainable as possible in our design and production and shipping process.

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