Highlights to watch for at this year’s Design Days Dubai.
• For more information, visit www.designdaysdubai.ae
The people
Marcel Wanders
The world-renowned Dutch designer Marcel Wanders is this year’s most high-profile attendee, and will present the fair’s opening keynote speech, On the Crossroads between Art and Design. He will also be showing his Personal Editions, an exclusive collection of limited-edition pieces. Look out for our exclusive interview with Wanders in next Friday’s edition of Weekend.
The products
Golden Harvest from Gallery S Bensimon
Guto Requena’s Golden Harvest collection is a stunning example of a designer taking traditional materials and techniques, and giving them a new, transformative lease on life. The collection features Syngonanthus nitens, a grass with a natural gold sheen that is endemic to certain parts of Brazil and is central to the handicrafts of the Mumbuca Afro-Aboriginal community. Requena combines this magical natural material with brass and anodised stainless steel to create pieces such as the Golden Harvest room divider.
Too Much Table from Barcelona Design Gallery
Barcelona Design Gallery is making its Middle East debut at this year’s edition of DDD, presenting works by a Barcelona-based group of artists called Amarist Studio. The Too Much Table is one of the group’s more provocative works, and consists of a table/sculpture filled with fake euro notes that can be burnt as you watch, a comment on the value and volatility of money.
To Poseidon from MAD Gallery
MAD Gallery actually stands for “mechanical art devices”, but could just as easily be used in its literal sense to describe the creations showcased by this Geneva-, Taipei- and now Dubai-based space, which specialises in weird and wonderful kinetic sculptures. The limited-edition, stainless-steel To Poseidon sculpture by the Chinese artist Xia Hang is an excellent case in point.
Iceberg by Wiener Silber Manufactur
Wiener Silber Manufactur returns to the fair this year with Iceberg, by the French designer Alexandre Echasseriau. Made in a limited edition of nine, Iceberg is a cooler in the shape of an Alpine landscape that aims to visually communicate the transformation of ice. When it’s filled with ice, the silver fogs up, and a layer of frost settles on the mountain peaks; once it starts thawing, the meltwater flows down and collects at the bottom of a deepened plate, creating a mini-lake at the base of the silver mountains.
White Applique from Camp Design Gallery
The Milan-based Camp Design Gallery is making its DDD debut with a charming collection of objects, including this beautifully pared-back light fixture, White Applique, by the American-born designer David Lindberg. Made from epoxy resin, a metal frame and LED lamps, the piece is stunning in its simplicity.
The public programme
Workshops by NExAR
An extensive public programme will include workshops, talks, film screenings and even a book launch. We’re intrigued by two workshops by NExAR, part of Dutch Craft Industry, which will explore the idea of repurposing waste into design. Shifting Perspectives, led by Rick Tegelaar from 11am to 1pm on March 15, will focus on the use of wire mesh and wood to create new forms and textures. Treasures from Plastic Waste, led by Studio Thier & van Daalen from 11am to 1pm on March 16, will challenge participants to transform plastic bags into a lighting element, fruit bowl, flower vase or purse.
