D04 Collections “Flux” commissioned by DDFC
NM Collection commissioned by DDFC
Head over to Style.com/Arabia MEN and read Zahrah Mazhar’s interview with Cyril Zammit ahead of tomorrow’s Design Days Dubai opening to the public. Zammit, the fair’s director since its inception five years ago, offers a fresh perspective for the region’s designers on breaking free from cultural references, which have come to be expected, to bring fresh influences to their designs. Design Days Dubai remains the Middle East and South Asia’s only collectible design fair and will showcase over 250 limited edition modern and contemporary design pieces from over 45 emerging galleries and talent along with talks and workshops until March 18th.
While there are numerous highlights to see and take part in over the four-day fair, Style.com/Arabia adds to Zammit’s list of showcases not to miss to underline DDFC’s commissioned installation “Flux,” created by the American University of Sharjah graduates from D04 Studios. The installation references desert dunes and how they “freeze in a moment in time” to create a habitable space. Horizontal and vertical surfaces form new furniture that is a hybrid of a wall, floor, and majlis seating. Also commissioned by DDFC, UAE-based NM Collections has created two pieces of furniture—in Dubai—and inspired by art deco and Islamic art that are nestled inside “Flux.”
Cyril Zammit (Director Design Days Dubai), Tamsin Wildy (Tashkeel), Ranim Orouk, Michael Rice & Alessandro Maffi (Managing Director Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India)
Also committed to the vision of supporting emerging designers from the UAE is Van Cleef & Arpels. The French fine jewelry Maison, in partnership with contemporary art organization Tashkeel, and Design Days Dubai, announced today the winner of the 2016 Middle East Emergent Designer Prize by Van Cleef & Arpels. Designer Ranim Orouk’s piece “Glow” took home the top prize. The installation is inspired by the effervescence of a school of jellyfish and can serve as a chandelier or a floor lamp. Notably, Orouk used traditional glassblowing and advanced digital fabrication of 3D-printing to create the spheres while curved acrylic rods mimic jellyfishes’ trailing tentacles. Meanwhile Michael Rice’s crystal bowl, inspired by DNA helix and sand ripples, took home the runner-up title.
“Glow” by designer Ranim Orouk
Van Cleef & Arpels is also showcasing its fifth consecutive design showcase at Design Days Dubai. This year’s offering is named “The Spirit of Nature” and features a fine jewelry exhibition showcasing gems such as a Hawaii Hat Clip dating from 1952 made with sapphires, rubies, diamonds, platinum, and yellow gold; and exceptional minaudières; a makeup case; and a lip brush all dating from the late 40s and early 50s.
Designer Michael Rice
Design Days Dubai from March 14th to 18th at Downtown Dubai.
