Carassius
This project addresses the growing disconnect between human consumption, cultural symbolism, and ecological
awareness as reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
The goldfish (Carassius auratus), once revered as a symbol of prosperity, wisdom, and balance in ancient Asian cultures, has become a mass-produced, ornamental pet often kept in poor conditions, stripped of its original meaning and respect. This shift reflects a broader societal issue: the loss of value and empathy toward living beings and the environment that sustains them.
The proposed product, Carassius Whiskey, reclaims and reinterprets this lost symbolism. As a collectible South African whiskey, it transforms the goldfish into a metaphor for revival, consciousness, and appreciation.
The Carassius Whiskey bottle is designed as a Cubist-inspired goldfish decanter, symbolising the tension between reverence and neglect — between the ancient value once placed on the goldfish and the modern trivialisation of its existence.
Drawing from Cubism, the bottle is composed of faceted planes and intersecting geometric shapes. These fractured forms visually echo the broken relationship between humanity and nature, while simultaneously reconstructing a new vision of respect, artistry, and worth.
Choosing whiskey as the medium underscores this narrative.
Whiskey, much like art, is revered for its craftsmanship, legacy, and authenticity. It is an object of appreciation and collection — a fitting vessel to restore the goldfish’s cultural significance. In merging art, design, and environmental storytelling, Carassius Whiskey transforms a simple bottle into a conversation piece that bridges luxury, philosophy, and sustainability.
