{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1472307"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1472307/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1472307","accessionNumber":"ME.3-2019","objectType":"Bench","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Najla El Zein's work stresses the importance in the expression of an object, derived by her personal observations and experiences, influenced by themes such as the unconscious, sensuality, femininity and desire. She takes an experimental approach to design, blurring the lines between art and design and using ordinary materials in unsuspecting contexts. Najla's practice often centres around anthropomorphic forms, created through repeat arrangements of man-made materials. \n\nEl Zein was commissioned by the V&A to produce ‘The Wind Portal’ in 2013, on occasion of the London Design Festival. This work continues the museum's relationship with the designer, and shows a development of her work into a personal territory. \r\n\nThe 'Seduction' series is part of a wider three set series ('Distortion', 'Fragmented Pillars' and 'Seduction') which were shown together at Najla's first solo exhibition at Friedman Benda, in 2019. The starting point of both 'Seduction' and 'Distortion' were El Zein's personal experience of pregnancy. Channeling her feelings by working intuitively with clay for the first time, a series of forms emerged. These shapes conveyed stages she travelled through during this emotional period. This loneliness is poured into the unconventional seating arrangement and bench, an object made for multiple people to share and enjoy, bringing them together. The contradictory emotions are also reflected in the material – a material as cold as concrete is softened expressing a sense of femininity. \r\n","physicalDescription":"Bench in fiber reinforced resin concrete and foam","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Najla el Zein","id":"AUTH351388"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Foam","id":"AAT14639"},{"text":"Concrete","id":"AAT10737"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Fiber reinforced resin concrete, foam","categories":[{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MES","id":"THES48607"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES343927"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Bench","id":"AAT38494"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Beirut","id":"x41160"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2017","earliest":"2017-01-01","latest":"2017-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Cherine Magrabi Tayeb","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"100","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"54.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"50.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"90","unit":"kg","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"'Distortion 12', bench, fibre reinforced resin concrete and foam, by Najla El Zein, 2017","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["ME.3-2019"],"accessionNumberNum":"3","accessionNumberPrefix":"ME","accessionYear":2019,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-17","recordCreationDate":"2019-01-29","availableToBook":false}}