Embrace Melancholy

concept: Nel Verbeke
model: Laurence Van de Perre
mua: Gwen De Vylder

Melancholy is an old complex theme, inherent to our human being. For most of the western history it was a desirable condition sought for bitter sweetness. By giving it shape and name in daily life, it was kept in normality. Nowadays melancholy - often replaced by its clinical affiliation ‘depression’ - seems to be a  theme at risk.  In an overemphasize on happiness, the theme seems to be the opposite of what we expect from ourselves these days. And in the midst of this something fundamentally human gets lost along the way. 

‘How can design (rituals, instruments, symbols, objects) help to embrace melancholy in daily life?’ Nel Verbeke started to examine the melancholy of past days in the shadow of our modern perspectives. Based on findings, she designed a set of 4 objects; A book as an opening of the research and 3 objects, translating her findings into a tangible proposal. Trying to harbour melancholy, as an essential part of a full and balanced life.