Ornament is universal and dynamic. We craft it to surround our lives and it, in turn, shapes our culture and heritage. REMINISCE, in collaboration with SHAKERSZSTORIES, is a series of digital art works and stories that explores the boundaries of ornament and culture from our South East Asian and Middle Eastern heritages. They delve into how the expressive nature of ornament tells stories, generates experiences, and carries one’s cultural identity on to future generations – whether through the weaving of Persian carpets or through Filipino Parols and Jeepneys.                      

As emergent forms of fabrication overpower traditional hand-made works, this digital series endeavors to remember the guiding principles that helped form our history and culture and pay tribute to it. REMINISCE uses digital programs and computational tools to re-awaken and re-imagine our past.

When we empower ourselves to understand the depths and value of our cultural roots, we give ourselves the opportunity to extend compassion and grace to others. REMINISCE unearths elements from these two heritages and embodies them with the hope of amplifying and preserving part of these cultures through the beauty and resilience of ornament.

Nowruz is the Persian New Year, meaning “new day”. It is celebrated in the spring equinox and is filled with symbolic items and traditions. This mini-story is a glimpse into a Persian family’s preparations of the Haft-Sin table (“table of seven things”) in anticipation of the new year. It starts with the spreading of the sofreh, a special family table cloth.

Spring Carpet

by @shakerszstories

“I think the sofreh is set!” said my older sister.

“Almost my dear,” replied Maman, “you’re missing the sumac, I think your father, Baba used it for the kebab.”

With my youngest sister they all called out each ingredient, “Somāq (sumac), Sabzeh (sprouts), Senjed (dried fruits), Seer (garlic), Seeb (apple), Serkeh (vinegar), and Maman’s Samanu (sweet pudding)!”, and made sure nothing was missed.

I was put in charge of the decorative elements and so I added candles, hand-painted eggs, fragrant pink Sombol or hyacinths, a clock, and a mirror. The Sekeh, or gold coin chocolates, I put last because they’re my favourite! Finally, after a full day of preparation, our Haft-Sin sofreh was ready.

We sat around with legs crossed awaiting the fast approaching Nowruz, or New Year.

Then my father asked, “Do you notice something different, my children?”

“Did you get a new barber, Baba? Your hair looks different,” Soroush jokingly replied.

“No, you know it is still your sweet Maman who cuts my hair.”

“We don’t know, please just tell us!” said my youngest sister impatiently, “The countdown is starting!”

“You’re sitting on it.”

“It’s the carpet!” I said, “a new carpet for a new year!”

“One day, my children, you will sit on this carpet with your children, share meals with them, and tell stories with them. Then, one day, they will do the same with their children.”

“Thank you, Baba,” we said in unison.

“I wonder how much eidi Maman and Baba will give us this year?” whispered Soroush.

“Shh!” said my oldest sister as we listened in anticipation for the loud boom that welcomed Nowruz.

“Eide shoma mobarak! Happy New Year!” said Maman and Baba.

King of the Road

by @shakerszstories

The jeepney is one of the most common modes of transport throughout the cities and islands of the Philippines and carries some of the most profound history of the Filipino culture. Before the jeepney was the jeep, it was a military vehicle left behind after the Second World War by the Japanese and Americans. From 1946, these jeeps evolved to be longer, personalized with artistic decorations, light fixtures, and paintings, and were used for transportation of fruits, vegetables, and people. Sarao Motors was the first company to manufacture jeepneys within the country and in 1964 showcased a model jeepney in New York City, which contributed to making it a national symbol.

The jeepney is known today as the ’King of the Road’ and is a national symbol of the Filipinos’ creativity (malikhain), resiliency (matatag), and trustworthiness (mapagkakatiwalaan).

If you find yourself traveling around the Philippines, you may come across the jeepney. If you do and do decide to ride one, make sure you say ‘para’ (stop) when you reach your stop!

A simple bamboo frame wrapped in Japanese paper that is set aglow by a kalburo, or candle, the traditional parol, or star lantern, holds a kaleidoscope of meaning. Since the Spanish colonialization of the Philippines, the traditional parol  has become an iconic symbol for Filipinos as it signifies the guiding star that led the Three Wise Men on their journey to Bethlehem. In remembrance of this, households would make or buy parols and take it with them as they walked towards the church for Simbang Gabi, or Evening Mass. And soon afterwards, display them outside to illuminate their homes and the entire village.

Today, more elaborate designs of the parol have been made using vibrant colours, local materials like capiz shells, intricate patterns, and electric displays, showcasing Filipino creativity and craftmanship. It transforms into a memento of Filipino values of faith, family, respect for one’s identity and culture. Wherever we may be in the world, when we gaze upon the parol, it is a beautiful reminder of where we came from. In a way, we feel that we still belong and are part of a truly vibrant nation. It reminds us of who we are.

As the parol illuminates our homes and our villages, we hope that we too, become a light, first in our own home and then to those around us.

SHAKERSZWORLD is the creator of SHAKERSZSTORIES - a platform that produces mini-stories for kids (and the kid inside of us!).

We find that as we live in a technologically advancing world, it is often harder to connect with one other. And now that we are more physically distant, it is even more challenging.

SHAKERSZSTORIES hopes to inspire creativity, be edutainment!, bring joy, and empower each other to build a better and more wonderful world.

The DesignTO Festival is Canada’s largest annual celebration of design with over 100 exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week, January 22-31, 2021. Going into its 11th year, the distanced and digital Festival transforms Toronto into a hub for creativity, taking art and design out of the studio and into the urban sphere. The Festival brings people together to celebrate contemporary culture, provides opportunities for emerging talent, and engages the community with exceptional and accessible public programming.