The Dying Dead (2023)

Lead Designers Albi Serfaty

Entry Description

The Dying Dead (2023) is a one-of-a-kind collectible light and wall installation from luminary design studio, Aqua Creations. The work will make its public debut at DesignMiami/ 2023 in the studio's booth exhibition, entitled "Bodies of Water".

The Dying Dead is a poignant piece drawing attention to the dire issue of Dead Sea depletion, an ecological crisis affecting the shared body of water between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In the last fifty years, the Dead Sea has lost nearly half of its surface area. Estimates determine that this will continue, with the Sea losing 1.5 meters every year. The shades of The Dying Dead resemble the current state and shape of the Dead Sea, while the fractured mirrors resemble what has already been lost.

For founder Albi Serfaty, The Dying Dead (2023), specifically ties into his most cherished inspirations in life and his artistic oeuvre. Born and raised in Israel, the Dead Sea has served as a cultural landmark and setting for his treasured childhood memories, vacations with his children and recharging along its shore. Deeply rooted to his sense of place and belonging, these intimate connections to land and ecology have shaped his upbringing. The exhibition celebrates the natural world, honors what has been lost and is a call to action on reversing aquatic ecological crises.

Sustainability Approach

Focusing on eight specific locations, Aqua Creations’ exhibition at DesignMiami 2023/ celebrates the beauty of our natural world, honors what has been lost, and highlights the need for critical action in hopes of a brighter future and natural ecosystem.

Overfishing, pollution, resource extraction and deforestation have led to disastrous effects on the global freshwater and saltwater ecosystem. The exhibition by Aqua Creations brings attention to a number of endangered bodies of water and the need for greater efforts of preservation.

As a designer, "Bodies of Water" and The Dying Dead (2023), is Serfaty’s response to the challenges and opportunities of the day. His hope is to connect and inspire our community to action, campaigning against the destructive human actions on the aquatic ecosystem, and the preservation of a more perfect world to call our own.