Upscale French department store Galeries Lafayette is turning over some of its store at The Dubai Mall to host an upcoming exhibition entitled Modern Expressions.
Running from November 11 until November 30, it will shine the spotlight on four regional artists by housing their work in a space described as "where fashion and art collide".
Timed to coincide with Dubai Design Week, which runs from Monday, November 9 to Saturday, November 14, four artists will be given a platform for their works. Among them is Emirati artist Noura Ali Al Ramahi, known for her colourful, abstract figurative pieces.
Another name is French-Tunisian sculptor Idriss B, who creates fibreglass polygon animals (dubbed "polymals"), which are spray-painted for a graffiti-tinged result.
Artist Manasse Rampino recreates familiar imagery such as the Mona Lisa or Mickey Mouse, now transposed on to backgrounds of dripped paint, while the fashion link is highlighted by Sleiman Dayaa, stylist and founder of the magazine SlimiMag. Also on show will be more photography, paintings, sculptures and what the store promises will be "wearable art". No further details have been given.
Threaded through all of this will be collections from a number of fashion names that resonate in this region, including Sara Tamimi, the Abu Dhabi label that is gathering pace for its fresh tailoring. Also on show will be Manoush, which draws its inspiration from Morocco, the Middle East and India, seen through a Parisian prism, while from further afield is Anouki, the Georgian label that specialises in masculine tailoring with a flourish. Also on show will be Rouba G, a young label championed by the Arab Fashion Council that lavishes its pieces with embroidery.
The exhibition promises to feature store-wide artistic activities, including a live window activation by Manasse on the opening day. Those attending the opening day will also be able to watch Rampino complete a live activation at one of the Galeries Lafayette windows.
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