March madness
Once again, our design calendar is overflowing with activities and events as we enter the annual art and design month.
In March, all roads lead to either Art Dubai or Design Days Dubai, with a healthy smattering of art and design activities on the sidelines as well…
Art Dubai (15-18 March), with whom id is a media partner for the first time, is now in its 11th year, and a well-established art event on the global diary. This year some 93 galleries from 43 countries will be presenting their works. Don’t forget to collect your copy of identity from Foyer 1, outside the Contemporary halls… Over at d3, this year’s edition of Design Days Dubai (14-17 March) will present yet another excellent collection of collectible furniture, sculpture, etc., most of which was curated by Cyril Zammit, the launch director of the highly successful Design Days Dubai concept.
Meanwhile, William Knight, formerly of London’s 100% Design, has joined the team at Art Dubai Group as managing director and head of design, and is set to take their initiatives up a notch or two…
There has also been a flurry of real estate announcements, including the launch of KOA’s Canvas, a new residential development in the Al Barari neighbourhood that’s being developed by Emirati developer Mohammed Zaal in collaboration with architect Tarik Zaharna of T. ZED Architects. The duo has repurposed a former office building into a sleek new residential offering, which is surrounded by a landscape rich in indigenous plants, created by his award-winning sister Kamelia Bin Zaal. The development is expecting completion by 2018.
Emaar, meanwhile, has just launched its new Harbour project on the banks of the Dubai Creek, close to the flamingos and the upcoming Calatrava-designed The Tower.
The new art-filled Address Boulevard Hotel is also expected to make its impact on the local scene, with the hotel’s custom-designed artwork and lighting installations set to become a major draw.
The Bulgari resort, with hotel and residences designed by Antonio Citterio, is back in the news following the opening of the first show apartment – providing a tempting impression of the look and feel of this luxury resort island, which is due for completion within the next couple of years.
Leading award-winning British lighting designer Sally Storey, design director of John Cullen Lighting, flew into town recently to talk about her work as part of the company’s launch celebrations in Dubai.
Founder of Spanish firm AtelierMEL, architect Maria Ruiz Pardo, was also in town recently, presenting her unique glasswork that blends artisanal and digital design techniques, as she gears up to raise her profile here with a string of exciting new projects… watch this space…!
This month the Purity team is planning to celebrate the opening of their stunning new space in d3, with a visit by several leading lights from the design world – including Anna Lenti of Paola Lenti, Roberto Gavazzi of Boffi and Daniela Fantini of Fantini Rubinetti, to name but a few…
Also in d3, Zaro Architects are making themselves at home following their popular openday reception where guests enjoyed interactive tours of the Zaro architectural creative process, services and projects…
Later this month, leading British high-street brand John Lewis is set make its Gulf debut, in partnership with the first Robinsons multi-level retail store in Dubai Festival City. Some of the best of British home ware will be carried exclusively at the chic new store, which has dedicated an entire floor to John Lewis home products.
We’re looking forwards to seeing you at Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai – don’t forget to collect the latest copy of id there…!
P.S. For your chance to win Dhs20,000 worth of ergonomic home office furniture by Humanscale in association with identity, visit our Facebook page and enter now!