A Melting Jewel of Ephemeral Beauty: The Melting Ice Necklace
The ooOoooOoooOh la l’ice necklace, conceived by artist Laila El Mehelmy and architect Ariel André of the Paris-based studio GOLEM, challenges the traditional concept of jewelry with its transient nature. At its heart, this unique piece consists of seven ice cubes threaded on a silver-bead chain, forming an accessory designed to vanish. This item, frozen using a custom silicone tray, transforms from a fleeting sculpture to a minimalist silver necklace, resonating with the ephemeral allure of water. The idea sparked at Berlin‘s Club der Visionaere during a sweltering summer, where partygoers resorted to using ice for relief—a vivid inspiration for El Mehelmy and André on the themes of scarcity and value.
The Body as a Measure of Time: The Melting Ice Necklace
Interactive by design, this adornment alters its form as body heat melts the ice, creating a visual countdown. This transformation, core to El Mehelmy’s exploration of physical art, exemplifies jewelry’s intimate relationship with the wearer. Each ice cube, dissolving over 30 to 60 minutes, documents the body’s warmth and their shared momentary existence. The piece acts as an unconventional timepiece, with time evidenced through diminishing water and shifting silver beads.
Luxury Reimagined Through Water
By mimicking luxury with “solid water gems,” the necklace critiques the lavish permanence of diamonds. Instead, it highlights water—a common yet crucial resource—as a precious element, shining a light on issues of abundance and scarcity. El Mehelmy and André use this design to question enduring value in a changing world. The artistic design is a dynamic performance, with the piece transforming into a spectacle as it melts, blending human interaction with the natural water cycle.
Guillaume Blondiau‘s photography captures the melting ice necklace’s evanescent beauty, emphasizing its temporal charm. As a conceptual counterpart to luxury goods, its value lies in its fleeting existence, prompting reflection on water’s shifting significance in the luxury lexicon.
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Project Information
- Name: ooOoooOoooOh la l’ice
- Designers: Ariel André/GOLEM (at @golem.digital) and Laila El Mehelmy
- Photography: Guillaume Blondiau (at @billy_blond)
This story is featured as part of designboom’s SPECTATOR AND SPECTACLE chapter. It showcases how creativity can transform everyday perceptions and merge spectators with spectacle. In partnership with SolidNature, these narratives aim to reintroduce wonder into the predictable. Discover more unique explorations in design, art, and wearable jewelry technology through our subsequent chapters and submissions.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the melting ice necklace?
The melting ice necklace was conceived by artist Laila El Mehelmy and architect Ariel André of the Paris-based studio GOLEM.
What makes the melting ice necklace unique?
The necklace is unique due to its transient nature, consisting of seven ice cubes threaded on a silver-bead chain, designed to vanish as it melts.
What concept does the melting necklace explore?
The melting necklace critiques the permanence of luxury goods, highlighting water as a precious element, and questions enduring value in a changing world.