Candles have been used since time immemorial for purposes varying from the practical, religious, and ceremonial, to the decorative and romantic. They act as a light in the darkness and inspire a sense of warmth, hope and magic and are part of the myth and mystery of the human experience. As fundamental as it is obvious, human connection in its purest and most simplified form epitomises my most precious treasure: my relationships with the people in my life. Physical memorabilia, however, fail to accurately represent the great worth and value of this treasure. With the candle, I aim to depict the immaterial personal and interpersonal sense of connectedness in material form. It is a symbolic embodiment of sentiments and notions that, in my opinion, cannot be summarized within another singular object. A candle prescribes an entire atmosphere, a setting that enables a sense of bonding and oneness, whether with oneself or with others.
The design intends to reflect the process of such a connection. Enclosed in a little box that is almost inexpressive on the outside, is a pedestal consisting of a drawer for matches or a lighter, as well as a cylindrical indentation for a tealight on top. The four walls of the box can be either tilted to the side or turned inside out to form a further elevated base for the candle. Their insides are adorned with Islamic patterns, which serve as a nostalgic reference to my family home, childhood, and upbringing. The objective of the box is expressed within the act of using it. As a closed idle box, it remains meaningless. It is the act of utilizing it, interacting with it, and sharing it that bears the true essence of human connection and allows for this treasure to reveal itself in an either solitary or social context.