{"title":"Karen Chekerdjian","description":"\u003cp\u003e\nKaren Chekerdjian’s trajectory into designing was unsystematic, comprised of a combination of practical experience in various creative fields and endeavours. Her practical beginnings were in advertising, working in both film and graphic design at Leo Burnett Beirut (1991), and as a co-founder of one of the first branding companies in the Middle East. Karen moved to Milan in 1997 to pursue a master’s degree in industrial design at DOMUS academy, under the guidance of Massimo Morozzi, a founder of Archizoom. She continued to work with Morozzi at EDRA, where he was Art Director, in what effectively became a seminal and formative four-year mentorship (1997-2000). Mobil, a suspended hangar system and her first actualised work, was produced and distributed by the furniture company (1999). \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLess interested in making products, Chekerdjian used her time in Italy to experiment and explore the extensions and limitations of her art. She began to question what have become somewhat rigid assumptions regarding function, form, and meaning. Unknown to her then, Karen began developing potentials for dialogue and narrative – a language of designing – rather than focusing on creating a particular style. The ambiguity of her pieces, their ability to take on new functions in varied context and through different interpretations, in retrospect, became a continuous thread in her work. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIn 2001, Chekerdjian moved back to Beirut, the contradictory and transient city where she was born and to which she constantly returns. That same year she founded Karen Chekerdjian Studio, a space for her to continue actively reflecting and redefining her metier and method. At the time, design was still in its nascency in Lebanon and the region at large. Rather than succumb to the challenges imposed by a lack of industry and technology, Karen harnessed an existing history to begin carving a foundation for design in Lebanon. Interested in culturally specific traditions and skills, she began working with local artisans, transforming the process of handcraft into distinct product design. The dynamic dialogue between designer and craftsman still cultivates her work and, she insists, is necessary to its actualisation and re-visitation.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"tacchini-elephant-footrest-in-solid-wood-and-leather","title":"ELEPHANT - Footrest in solid wood and leather (Request Info)","description":"\n    \u003cp\u003eELEPHANT is a footrest designed by Tacchini, crafted from premium solid wood and leather materials. Its curved design and comfortable cushioning complement modern and sophisticated interiors, and is widely used in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. This product features a unique design reminiscent of an elephant's foot, adding minimalist beauty to any space. Korean search terms and hashtags used when searching for the Tacchini brand, ELEPHANT product, and designer in Korea: Tacchini furniture, ELEPHANT footrest, modern furniture, interior solid wood, designer furniture, interior accessories, Tacchini brand, Sofista Fontana designer, modern interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    ","brand":"Tacchini","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53033827434860,"sku":"Tacchini :","price":99999999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0963\/9313\/4444\/files\/h_ELEPHANT-Footstool-Tacchini-550676-rel3b7985ac.jpg?v=1767174680"},{"product_id":"tacchini-elephant-armchair-in-solid-wood-and-leather","title":"ELEPHANT - Armchair in solid wood and leather (Request Info)","description":"\n    \u003cp\u003eELEPHANT - Armchair by Massimo Castagna from Tacchini, crafted in solid wood and leather. The Elephant armchair features a sturdy wood structure with leather seat and backrest, showcasing an overall luxurious design. This product is renowned for its contemporary and refined design, and is primarily used in living rooms, studies, or offices. As a product of Italian design brand Tacchini, the Elephant armchair is gaining popularity among interior design enthusiasts and design firms in Korea as a premium interior accessory.\n\n#Tacchini #ElephantArmchair #MassimoCastagna #ItalianDesign #LeatherArmchair #LuxuryInterior #LivingRoomFurniture #ModernFurnitureDesign #DesignFurniture #KoreanInterior\u003c\/p\u003e\n    ","brand":"Tacchini","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53033828974956,"sku":"Tacchini :","price":99999999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0963\/9313\/4444\/files\/h_ELEPHANT-Armchair-Tacchini-550674-relce4d517f.jpg?v=1767174679"}],"url":"https:\/\/trdst.us\/collections\/karen-chekerdjian.oembed","provider":"TRDST.US","version":"1.0","type":"link"}