handmade book’s cover-box_
in 2019, the seeds of an extraordinary collaboration were sown when antonio matrēs and victoria yakusha first met. their connection was immediate and profound, rooted in a mutual admiration for each other's work and a shared passion for creation. this meeting marked the beginning of a significant partnership, with victoria’s work becoming one of the first collections featured by raīz unique objects.
the collaboration took a pivotal turn when antonio, inspired by the vision for raīz journal - volume one, reached out to victoria with a proposition to craft a custom bookcase. true to her innovative spirit, victoria embraced the challenge, bringing the renowned ZTISTA material into the fold. this marked the commencement of a journey that would not only encapsulate their shared values but also embody the essence of sustainability and innovation that both had always championed.
by faina design
in the unfolding narrative of "to outfit the void" amidst the resilience and creativity that bridged the collaboration between antonio matrēs and victoria yakusha, there lies an untold chapter of raw human courage and the visceral reality of conflict. as war echoed through the streets of Ukraine, the sounds of turmoil became the unlikely backdrop to the creation of the raīz journal’s ceramic cases. the relentless spirit of the faina design team, amidst the cacophony of sirens and the distant rumble of uncertainty, stood as unsung heroes in this journey of art persevering against the odds.
in those moments, the faina workshop transformed into a sanctuary of creation and defiance. with each layer of ZTISTA material shaped onto the cases, the team not only battled the logistical nightmares wrought by the war but also the emotional turmoil of creating beauty in the midst of despair. the sounds of conflict outside their windows contrasted sharply with the focused silence of their craft, a poignant reminder of the fragile thread that connects life and art. these artisans, in choosing to continue their work, embodied the very essence of hope—demonstrating that even as the world seems to crumble, the human spirit's capacity to create and connect can withstand the greatest of challenges.
the ZTISTA material, invented by faina and chosen for these cases, embodies the ethos of raīz unique objects — sustainability, innovation, and a return to nature. this living material, with its textured surface and organic composition, encapsulates the essence of the earth itself, offering a tactile connection to the natural world. it's a reminder of the cycle of life, where creation arises from the void and eventually returns, completing a circle that mirrors the thematic core of the journal it houses.
the outbreak of war in ukraine in february 2022 severed the threads of communication and cast a shadow of uncertainty over this collaboration. yet, amidst the chaos, the enduring spirit of the faina design team, their resilience in the face of adversity, became a beacon of hope. the successful journey of the ceramic cases from kyiv to antwerp amidst the turmoil is not just a story of survival but a powerful narrative of commitment and undying hope in the darkest times.
faina team_
our team members in kyiv are heroes, and were loading the truck with the noise of rockets.
this journey, mirroring the essence of "to outfit the void" reflects the human endeavor to find meaning and beauty amidst desolation. The void, often seen as an absence, is reimagined here as a space brimming with potential—for creation, for resilience, and for profound connections that transcend geographical and temporal boundaries. The void is not emptiness but a canvas waiting to be adorned with the strokes of human experience and creativity.
as we turn the pages of raīz journal, housed within these ceramic cases, we are reminded of the beauty that persists in the world, the indomitable spirit of those who create despite challenges, and the enduring power of relationships that defy the odds. this story, encapsulated within each case, is a legacy of love, a narrative that inspires future artists to dream, to create, and to believe in the impossible.
in closing, the tale of these bookcases is more than a chapter in the history of raīz journal: it is a beacon for all who seek to fill the voids of the world with light, love, and art. It stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when passion meets perseverance, reminding us that even in the face of great challenges, beauty and humanity prevail. Let this story be a source of inspiration, a reminder that in the fabric of the universe, woven with the threads of human connections, everything is possible, and nothing is beyond reach.