<span>Ferna</span><span>ndo Mastrangelo</span><span> </span><span>debuted the Capital Collection</span><span> this week at Downtown Editions, Dubai Design Week's platform for collectible and bespoke design. Drawing inspiration from Dubai's natural resources, Mastrangelo used hand-dyed sand and powdered glass to create the trio of limited-edition mirrors: Aurora, Marina and Sahara. S</span><span>ahara references the sun and climate; Marina alludes to the </span><span>impac</span><span>t of waterways and steel; and Aurora (above) pays homage to Dubai's sunsets. All three are currently on show on D3's Waterfront terrace.</span> <span>"Inte</span><span>rpreting the landscape, history and essence of a unique region</span><span> through my sculptural </span><span>langu</span><span>age is integral to my artistic process," says </span><span>Mastr</span><span>angelo. </span> <span>"I'm incredibly humbled to have that opportunity with </span><span>Dubai</span><span> and with this special series. If I have at all been able to capture or translate a fraction of </span><span>Dubai</span><span>'s intensity and beauty, I would consider that a success."</span> <span>The p</span><span>ieces are a creative continuation of the New York artist's Drift series</span><span>,</span><span> </span><span>a sculptural mirror, sofa, bench and side table that capture the stark beauty of glaciers and natural </span><span>Earth formations. Drawing on voyages to the Grand Canyon and Patagonia, Mastrangelo used topographical views of glaciers breaking over the surface of the ocean to inform the collection. </span> <span>There is an interplay between meticulously polished elements and surfaces that retain an exquisite ruggedness – the mirrors mimic the calmness of the sea, while cast sand captures the irregular beauty of glacial formations. The Drift mirrors were a clear precursor to the Capital Collection.</span> <span>Best-k</span><span>nown for his collectible design pieces</span><span>,</span><span> </span><span>Mastrangelo, who lives in Brooklyn, also experiments with large-scale sculptures and experiential installations. All of his creations are sculpted by hand from natural or repurposed materials – whether sand, salt, silica or crushed and powdered glass. </span> <span>His concern with ecological issues is a defining feature of his works, which are to be found in private collections around the world, as well as the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum and Cooper Hewitt Museum.</span> <span>Mastrangelo completed a BFA in Sculpture </span><span>at</span><span> Cornish College of the Arts in 2002</span><span> and completed his MFA in Sculpture in 2004 at Virginia Commonwealth University, before setting up </span><span>Fernando Mastrangelo Studio (F/MS) in 2006.</span> <strong>_________________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/luxury/dubai-s-most-unique-property-inside-a-dh28m-modernist-jumeirah-villa-1.929992">Dubai's most unique property? Inside a Dh28m 'modernist' Jumeirah villa</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/home/why-hydroponics-is-perfect-for-the-uae-and-how-to-use-the-process-to-grow-plants-in-your-home-1.934636">Why hydroponics is perfect for the UAE – and how to use the process to grow plants in your home</a> </strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/home/made-in-the-uae-meet-the-creatives-starting-a-design-revolution-1.935323">Made in the UAE: Meet the creatives starting a design revolution</a></strong> <strong>_________________</strong>