Occhiataccia Ritual Kit

Occhiataccia Ritual Kit

Occhiataccia Ritual kit is an innovative cultural heritage design that reimagines the traditional Italian ritual of warding off the malocchio (evil eye) through a contemporary lens. This sophisticated toolkit, designed by Laura Marianera, comprises five essential white ceramic elements characterized by minimalist design and instructive graphic elements. The collection includes a specially designed plate, cruet, small glass, scissors, and dishcloth, each featuring distinctive diagonal cuts in their upper borders and crafted by local artisans in Molise, Italy, to maintain authentic territorial value. The design, which earned a Bronze A' Design Award in the Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design category, masterfully bridges ancestral traditions with modern design sensibilities. The ritual kit is housed in a thoughtfully designed corrugated board package measuring 290mm x 210mm, featuring a distinctive bla bla bla texture pattern that symbolically represents gossip-makers' chatter. The package includes an equation-style illustration that guides users through the traditional ritual, where olive oil drops are carefully placed in water-filled plate to determine the presence of the evil eye - if the oil disperses, it indicates a curse, while a single unified drop suggests safety. This design project, completed between September 2013 and April 2014, represents a significant contribution to preserving and modernizing Italian cultural heritage, making centuries-old traditions accessible to contemporary audiences while maintaining their spiritual and cultural integrity.

ritual design, cultural heritage preservation, Italian traditions, evil eye protection, ceramic craftsmanship, contemporary folklore

— Adam Dawson