Designed for success
id is proud to announce the sixth edition of Design Days Dubai – the world’s largest and most diverse design fair
As media sponsor, id is proud to announce the sixth edition of Design Days Dubai – the world’s largest and most diverse design fair.
Filled with surprises, the sixth edition of Design Days Dubai at Dubai Design District (d3) – its brand-new home – will feature 50 exhibitors, the fair’s largest number yet.
Taking place during Art Week, an umbrella initiative bringing together the UAE’s arts and culture-centred events, Design Days Dubai (14-17 March) is a global platform for the region’s emerging design studios and solo designers, and the world’s most esteemed design galleries.
In addition to its galleries, the fair has created initiatives that focus on a brand-new generation of UAE-based designers. These include: the fifth edition of Van Cleef & Arpel’s Middle East Emergent Designer Prize; Audi’s Innovation Award; the fourth season of Tashkeel’s successful design programme, Tanween; and Dubai Culture and d3’s third Urban Commissions competition.
This is the Middle East and South Asia’s only annual fair dedicated to collectible modern and contemporary design works, and will feature a record number of design galleries and studios based in the Emirates, GCC and wider region.
This year’s first-time regional exhibitors are: Ayah Al Bitar; AYKA Design; Carpets, Canvas, Cushions by Cecilia Setterdahl; Jafar Dajani; Michael Rice; and Nader Gammas (all from UAE) – Apical Reform (India); Aperçu Designs (Jordan); Marie Munier (Lebanon); and Dahr Design (Saudi Arabia). And, for the first time, vintage design will be presented by specialists in midcentury modern, MCML Studio (UAE).
Rawan Kashkoush, Head of Programming, says that in addition to the new location there will be other noticeable changes. “The composition of the exhibitors is moving away from a pure gallery line-up to allow for more design studio and solo design showcases, and with that is ushered in some very experimental work from the likes of a hypothetical office and 1971 Design Space. We’ve diversified our price-points (from below US$500 through to upwards of US$75,000) so that great design can belong to anyone. In support of the UK-UAE Year of Creative Collaboration, we’re also thrilled to have a special focus on British contemporary design, ‘ Britain Takes Shape’, [which is being] hosted by Dubai Culture.”
As a notable symbol of the growth and maturity of the design landscape
in the UAE and beyond, additional strong regional representation can be seen through the high number of returning exhibitors, including Aljoud Lootah, Cities, Fatima Bint Mohamed Initiative, MB&F M. A. D. Gallery and Nakkash Gallery (all from UAE); Nisreen and Nermeen Abu Dail of Naqsh Collective (Jordan); Iwan Maktabi and Vick Vanlian (both Lebanon); Coalesce (Pakistan); and Aisha Al-Sowaidi (Qatar).
The region’s top purveyors of design will also be presenting special exhibitions and events. Cities’ much-anticipated exhibition, ‘The City on Display’, will feature designs from Stelios Mousarris and Tarek El Kassouf, along with exclusive designs from Nada Debs, made specially for this exhibit, that will be unveiled at the Design Days. The designers will share modern interpretations of city constructions, focusing on geometric forms, linear shapes and industrial materials, giving a new perspective to the concrete castles and metallic skylines that we call home.
International newcomers include: Todd Merrill Studio (NYC), a leading voice in contemporary collectible design; Paris- and Los Angeles-based concept store/gallery L’Eclaireur; and Territoire(s) (Paris) at the crosssection of art and design.
India-based design firm Apical Reform, who is currently working on their design-art gallery in d3 featuring their own work as well as pieces by other renowned designers, will be doing a special installation, as well as a public installation for Dubai.
Paris-based artist and designer Pierre Bonnefille will also be presenting a solo show with L’Eclaireur. Known for his work for top luxury brands Hermès and Loro Piana, his pieces will include ‘ Metamorphosis’, ‘ Bronze Paintings’ and ‘ Furoshiki Drawings’. His cocoon-like ‘ Meditation Room’ will offer fair visitors respite with its light-reflecting textures and colours.
Kashkoush’s advice to newcomers: “Be curious… What’s unique about Design Days is that we have a lot of the designers present – come armed with questions!”