J'adore Aglisia by Rafaa
on 24/3/10
The Trend Boutique absolutely love this quirky 'cool find' by Swiss architecture & design company Rafaa. Completely original, this art installation is a cross between a confessional & a photographic booth. Created as a reference point against our mass consumption and obsession with ourselves, Rafaa see our lives as multioptionsgesellschaft (a society with endless options) and due to this we become ego-centric as we try to fill the void this creates.
J'adore Aglisia Image by Rafaa
J‘ adore Aglisia was created against this background. The art installation‘s name itself carries three important purposes: It is about a statement of faith, a reference to the wellknown advertising slogan "J‘ adore Dior" and at the same time a play on words with the French term église (church). The name aglisia is also an acronym of the initials for the seven Deadly Sins in Latin.
Avaritia - avarice, greed
Gula - gluttony, selfishness
Luxuria - extravagance, dissipation, hedonism
Ira - wrath, rage, vengeance
Superbia - pride, vanity
Invidia - envy, jealousy
Acedia - discouragement, sloth, inertia
J'adore Aglisia Image by Rafaa
The theme of religion and oneself continues, as those entering the booth are both confessing their sins or asking for redemption, whilst also taking part in the ultimate self-indulgent, ego-centric act as one asks for forgiveness. Captured, of course, in a set of photos J'adore Aglisia becomes part performance-art and part installation, with the photos being the mark of becoming 'sin free' and are even stamped to prove it.
J'adore Aglisia Image by Rafaa
The Trend Boutique not only feel the intensity of the message behind the installation, but see it as testament to the change taking place between the mass-consuming, throwaway lives of the Noughties and we shift towards a more measured, alternative lifestyle with new social models. We see that from 2010 onwards we will continue to embrace the idea of sharing, the environment & nature, new technological solutions, and a sense of optimism. This installation could be the ultimate confessional before we move forward into these new ideals.
J'adore Aglisia Image by Rafaa
Most of all though we just love the installation itself with its amazing craftmanship and design aesthetic. We also wish that we could get our next passport photo taken in one of these booths as we are sure the result would be more heavenly than normal.
J'adore Aglisia Image by Rafaa
