Dubai Design Week (DXBDW2021) is set to begin next Monday with a rich programme that spans design, architecture, art, crafts and technology.
Until Saturday, November 13, a number of exhibitions, pop-ups, installations, talks and workshops will take place at the Dubai Design District (d3). This year’s highlights include an in-person showcase of more than 130 international and regional brands at Downtown Design, architecturally-focused presentations such as 2040: d3 Architecture Exhibition, the Abwab commission and a vast selection of workshops for visitors to learn arts and crafts skills.
Here are some highlights from the programme to look out for during the week.
2040: d3 Architecture Exhibition
The annual architecture exhibition returns to bring together architecture firms, studios and architects from Dubai and the region around unifying themes. The four main themes follow the goals of Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan in the realms of mobility and transportation, public and recreational spaces, accessibility to infrastructure and eco-tourism.
Featured architects include Beyrac Architects, Dabbagh Architects, RMJM Dubai, Tariq Khayyat Design Partners, as well as participants from the American University of Sharjah, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, Mobility in Chain, AESG, FUTURE\CITY, desert INK Architects, X Architects and Grimshaw Architects.
“The exhibition will be an opportunity to see ideas and concepts on the sustainable future of our city, Dubai, from some of the brightest minds in the field,” says Khadija Al Bastaki, executive director of d3.
She says that visitors can witness a “multimedia journey” of how Dubai could look in 20 years, from developments in transportation, public spaces and tourist sites. It will also consider “how architecture can contribute to enhancing happiness, well-being and quality of life in a sustainable manner".
“We hope the architecture festival will spark conversations about the future of sustainable cities, which is now more important than ever before as the world population grows and plans of megacities are being set. Our world’s population is set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, so it is vital to rethink the building of the past and carefully plan and consider our future living spaces, particularly in light of climate change,” she says.
Abwab
Also in the vein of this architectural focus is Abwab, a key feature of every Dubai Design Week. The commission programme presents proposals from architects in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
This year, the jury selected Dubai architect Ahmed El Sharabassy for his proposal Nature in Motion. El Sharabassy’s winning idea responded to the theme of this year’s programme, which sought proposals for regenerative architecture and restorative design.
The architect’s pavilion attempts to bridge the gap between nature and the urban environment. Taking inspiration from Dubai’s geography and its environment, the project wants to draw the highly urbanised city back to nature.
Curving like a sand wave, the pavilion has been made from sustainable materials such as bamboo and fabric. It can serve a variety of purposes, from a public space to a shelter.
Tanween at Downtown Design
As part of Downtown Design, art studio Tashkeel will unveil the products that have resulted from its Tanween design programme. The six designers involved in the programme from 2020 and 2021 have been working on a range of limited edition pieces, from lighting to furniture, all manufactured in the UAE.
Among the design pieces include Taht Al Ghaf lights by Khawla Al Balooshi; the Sehra cabinet by Eman Shafiq; and an ottoman and bag from the Seeds series by Nuhayr Zein.
The designers will also be featured in talks for DXBDW2021 to discuss their creative process and their experience in producing these pieces in the UAE.
Art installations
DXBDW2021 would not be complete without its public art installations, which engage and enlighten audiences throughout the event. A total of 15 installations will be spread throughout d3, including a towering, shimmering glass work titled The Shape of Light by conceptual art studio Shuster + Moseley that will cast eye-catching geometric prismatic forms.
Also playing with light is Context Reflections by Anarchitect in collaboration with Cosentino, wherein visitors can see an “optical phenomenon” caused by a low-tech installation made from carbon-neutral materials.
There’s also an architectural installation by Ana Carreras named Athenaeum, which digs into the recent discoveries about the old town of Mleiha in Sharjah, along with a work on the environmental preservation titled Morphing Nature by Kristina Zanic Design Studio, which is participating in Dubai Design Week for the first time.
In addition, The WAW Machine by Emirati creatives Iman Al Midfa and Hessa Ali Alechla intends to spread motivation and good cheer with an automated vending machine that produces messages of kindness.
Making Space
Ever wanted to learn about jewellery-making, embroidery, wood painting and recycled art? The Making Space programme features more than 80 workshops for all skills and interests, from making your own tote to constructing origami pieces. The activities will take place across Dubai.
Highlights include a wheel throwing workshop by The Mud House Studio, creating egg cup holders with woodturning techniques from StuDIYo Lab, a meditation and abstract art session with Tilika D’souza and Monisha Gurkar, plus a number of workshops centred on recycling, including turning plastic into fabric, taught by NYU Abu Dhabi's Plastic Recycling Research Lab, and an eco paper-making worship that will turn scrap paper into new pages, taught by Quarter Moon Studio and Juhi Chaand.
Dubai Design Week takes place from Monday to Saturday, November 8 to 13, at the Dubai Design District (d3). More information is on dubaidesignweek.ae
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time
Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.
Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.
The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.
The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.
Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.
The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.
• Bloomberg
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)
Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)
Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
More on Quran memorisation:
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
