Broomlithic – R&Company

The ‘’lithic” period was a time when humans had to rely on their resourcefulness to create tools that would help them survive in a challenging environment. It’s the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled one.
The simplicity of the stoned-shaped pieces is inspired by this era, where basic handy tools were used for carving and creating livable elements while breaking all the seriousness and adding a humorous touch to our ancestors’ pieces.
Our focus was working around forgotten Lebanese stone, pushing the craftsmanship and the power of hand carving, adding a human touch to a rigid stone and making it alive.

White stone blocks transformed into soft characters, guiding our thoughts into tranquility through their gentle curves and textured surfaces, where each bump and groove tell a story and beckon us to engage, explore their tactile world, and feel their comforting weight.
Adding the idea of the broom and the symbolism of wiping dust can be seen as a metaphor for the process of adaptation that we wanted to explore in this project. In many cultures, the act of sweeping is seen as an act of renewal, representing the idea of clearing away old, stagnant energy and making way for new growth changes and new approaches.
The concept of the lithic period finds an unexpected parallel in the symbolism of the broomstick. Both ideas highlight the human capacity for adaptation. They share a common thread of resilience, and the pursuit of a better future through the utilization of simple yet effective tools, an optimistic state of mind that we are experiencing and that we wanted to share in this project.

“R & Company recently announced its representation of Stephanie Sayar and Charbel Garibeh, the Lebanon-based designers known as Sayar & Garibeh. In recent years, the duo has been increasingly recognized for their experimental designs that blend traditional craft techniques with contemporary innovation and wit. R & Company previously presented works by Sayar & Garibeh at Design Miami and will mark their formal collaboration with a solo show of new works by the designers opening January 12, 2024. Titled Broomlithic, the exhibition will feature a selection of furniture and design objects that reflect the designers’ distinctive stone carving and pay tribute to the simple, functional broom. Broomlithic marks Sayar & Garibeh’s first solo exhibition in New York and will remain on view at R & Company’s 64 White Street location through April 19, 2024.”