Design Days Dubai 2015.

Design Days Dubai is the leading fair in the Middle East and South Asia dedicated to collectible and limited edition furniture and design objects. Now in it’s fourth year, the fair presented design from leading international designers and galleries alongside up and coming designers from across the world. The fair also presents a strong non-commercial programme consisting of education, workshops, installations and live performances. Here are some of this year’s highlights.

Related Post: Sneak Peek at Design Days Dubai 2014.

Rope Light by Christian Haas presented by Gallery S. Bensimon // A soft look and textile touch, energy-efficient technology, are combined to create an innovative light source and distinctive design object. Unlit, the lamps provide a graphic statement to their environment. Lit, they diffuse a gentle ambient light. Each light is handmade, unique and numbered.

Related post: Christian Hass | Ropes.

Photos © David Ross.

Lala Surma I & II drink cabinets by Dokter & Misses presented by Southern Guild Gallery // South Africa brought a piece of its very strong design scene to Design Days Dubai thanks to the Southern Guild Gallery. Established in 2008, Southern Guild is a Cape Town-based platform that showcases high-end South African design on a national and international level. The gallery exhibited 16 designers including the Johannesburg based Dokter & Misses. Founded by husband and wife Adriaan Hugo and Katy Taplin, Dokter & Misses presented a new special edition drink cabinets featuring bright, graphic patterns inspired by the mineral body painting of the nomadic Surma people of Ethiopia.

The Oru Series by Aljoud Lootah // With a keen interest in the idea of contrasts in form and function, Aljoud Lootah composes her creations by mixing traditional silhouettes and concepts with modern elements. In “The Oru Series,” a collection of geometric furniture and decorative objects, the pieces take inspiration from origami forms. The name “Oru” originates from the Japanese words “to fold”, and the idea behind the designs is to show that folding a flat, two-dimensional sheet can create aesthetically appealing functional three-dimensional forms. The multi-faceted products with their complex folds coupled with sophisticated simplicity, are a modern interpretation of an ancient form of art.

Photo courtesy of Ardeco.

Tahiti lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano at Ardeco Gallery // Recently Ardeco Gallery, welcomed Memphis Milano, a new cutting edge collection of eye-popping furniture and accessories made in Italy. Created on the initiative of the iconic architect Ettore Sottsass, this great cultural phenomenon of the early 80’s has become an almost mythical symbol of “New Design.” For Design Days Dubai, the gallery focus’ on its ethos of bridging modernity and old-world glamour, establishing and creating a dialogue between Mid-Century decorative art and contemporary, yet timeless, furniture.

Relates Post: Stories on Design// Modern Memphis Movement.

Photo courtesy of Broached Commissions.

Birdsmouth Table by Adam Goodrum for Broached Commissions // Australian design represent! The Birdsmouth Table is a highly functional and symbolic piece. It incorporates a central tool of empire, the mast, into a beautiful jewellery-like element that punctuates the Chippendale inspired tabletop at each of the leg standing points. The table has eight legs, each with a brass castor, and six drawers lined with kangaroo skin. By carefully uniting a selection of mechanical and formal influences, Adam Goodrum has created a table that is mobile, eccentric and highly functional.

Posa Project by Massimo Faion at Carwan Gallery // Italian designer Massimo Faion has created a set of bespoke falconry stands for a live performance at this year’s Design Days Dubai fair. Created for Middle East design gallery Carwan Gallery, the Posa Project aims to put a contemporary slant on the ancient tradition of falconry, which involves hunting using a trained bird of prey.

Photo courtesy of David Gill Galleries.

Prototype Liquid Glacial Table by Zaha Hadid at David Gill Galleries // The Liquid Glacial design embeds surface complexity and refraction within a powerful fluid dynamic. The elementary geometry of the flat table top appears transformed from static to fluid by the subtle waves and ripples evident below the surface, while the table’s legs seem to pour from the horizontal in an intense vortex of water frozen in time.

Photo courtesy of House of Today.

Valet by Claude Missir for House of Today // Several examples of the Gentleman’s Valet was on show at the fair including an example by Fiona Barratt-Campbell and by David Nicolas and Claude Missir for House of Today.

Photo by Marco Pinarelli.

Valet de chambre and stool designed by David Nicolas for House of Today // House of Today exhibited for the first time at this year’s fair. The initiative presented an edited version of Naked: Beyond the Social Mask, which first displayed last December in Beirut. This edition showed the work of acclaimed Lebanese and international designers. The work collectively shares an intriguing mix of known Arabic forms, shapes and materials, with contemporary, international influences aimed at an international, global audience.

Photo courtesy of Fiona Barratt-Campbell.

Valet by Fiona Barratt-Campbell, Alexander McQueen and Nicklin // A Sculptural bronze Men’s Valet designed in collaboration with luxury fashion designer Alexander McQueen as part of The Wallpaper* handmade edition. Featuring a built in USB charging unit, solid bronze shoe horn, removable crocodile skin accessory trays with the interior lined with Alexander McQueen signature check design, hanging rail.

Photo courtesy of House of Today.

Sensorial brushes by Najla El Zein for House of Today // ‘Tickle’ is composed by a smooth pebble in white-marble with a long grey feather. The brush can be used for pure teasing or elegantly displayed on its brass stand.

Naqsh Design House // Naqsh design house was founded in 2009 in Amman, Jordan – where it started to exhibit unique pieces of furniture, home accessories and more that reflect a the oriental look and feel in a very minimal modern style where it can fit perfect in our life today. At Naqsh the inspiration stems from both contemporary and traditional Arabic aesthetics, combined together with a high quality of local neat craftsmanship.

Photo courtesy of Galerie Sofie Lachaert.

Reunion IV by Ja Kyung Shin at Gallerie Sophie Lachaert // Galerie Sophie Lachaert celebrated their silver anniversary with the outstanding exhibition ‘Not Just a Bowl of Cherries’. The Silver Plated Spoons by Ja Kyung Shin is an example of both an object and a symbol – “an expression of respect for the bowl as a universal, ancient archetype in everyday life, used to prepare, serve, conserve and store food, while others reflect a philosophical approach; a gesture of beauty and interaction, presenting something precious.”

Photo courtesy of Gallery ALL.

‘Bar’ from The Crates Series by Naihan Li at Gallery ALL // The newest additions to The Crates Stainless Steel series includes a Mobile Bar, an entertaining centre and a kitchen unit with concealed drawers and detachable serving trays/ champaign holder. Naihan Li’s mobile creations accommodate a very poetic lifestyle into unique comfort of dwelling by its spatial language.

Photo courtesy of Gallery ALL.

Split Chair from the Brass Collection by Zhoujie Zhang at Gallery ALL // The Split Chair from the Brass Collection is the first series of objects developed with Endless Forms, Zhoujie’s own digitalised fabrication system that generates an ever-changing family of objects. “Through my design I’d like to build a new path towards our digital future and eventually create a system that could measure, design, produce, test as well as market these new possibilities. Following on from the first and second industrial revolution, we are now experiencing a third one, a digital revolution…” - Zhoujie Zhang.

Photo courtesy of Gallery FUMI.

Fuzz Coffee Table by Study O Portable at Gallery FUMI // Blurring the line between art and design, London-based firm Study O Portable creates small objects whose appearance pay homage to both their functions and fabrication processes.

Photography by Lisa Klappe.

Haft Sin Collection by Hozan Zangana // One of the rituals performed during Nowruz (New Year celebration of spring) is the setting of a Sofraye Haft Sin – a table or dining cloth, prepared with seven or more items starting with the letter S. Designer Hozan Zangana presented his version of a modern Haft Sin, inspired by Nastaleeq calligraphy. Together with ceramist Suzan Becking, a live demonstration showed the process of making this porcelain collection.

Houdini Table by Fadi Sarieddine // Sarieddine debuted his plug-in series in a booth curated around the theme of ‘contaminated spaces’. This design approach celebrates the transportation of materials out of their comfort zone into an entirely new setting. The plug-in series revolves around the idea of customisation. Each plug-in takes a skeletal structure reminiscent of virtual wireframes to encapsulate various objects. Moving with the wave of the object, a table can be a bench, a planter or a decorative item The end result is a personal limited edition. Sarieddine creates a playful system, which allows furniture to catch up with the flexibility of modern day technology.

Jan Kath Rug Collection presented by Iwan Maktabi // Jan Kath presented his carpets with local partner Iwan Maktabi. The Fatema Bint Mohammed Initiative (FBMI), based in Adu Dhabi, is running a project offering women in the weaving industry employment and training, the latter involving the weaving of Afghan style rugs using Afghan wool. Combining entrepreneurship and sustainability, FBMI’s stand featured demonstrations of traditional weaving.

Related post: Highlights from Maison & Objet 2015.

Photo by Barrett Hanrahan.

Liminal Vessels by Lindsey Adelman // The liminal collection is about the threshold between consciousness and unconsciousness, and also refers to the place between the bronze and glass. The state between liquid and solid, referring to both metal and glass, alludes to the place where two people meet and collaborate. Glass artists Michiko Sakano blows directly into Darcy Miro’s metal sculptures to create a fused vessel.

Lumière by Victor Hunt // The Lumière Pendant Lamp appropriates contemporary projector technology while paying homage to the pioneers of the medium. The double meaning of Lumière – referring to both the French word for light and the inventors who popularised modern cinema – reflects its dual function. Acting alone, each lamp lights up through the projection of moving images on the inner surface of the glass bulb. Acting in multiples they orchestrate into a cinematic spectacle.

Modern Arabesque by Nada Debs // A seating collection reminiscent of mid-century design that marries modern form with exquisite craftsmanship; Arabesque Modern’s natural motif is perforated from African walnut.

PRECIOSA Lighting by René Roubíček // Sculpture by Rene Roubicek, is a new one of a kind creation that revisits two world EXPOs in 1958 and 1967. Jointly created with the skilful craftsmen in Preciosa, it artfully combines tradition and vision, two indispensable characteristics typical for Bohemian glass.

Roubicek’s latest work symbolises liberation of glass from centuries of being strictly defined by a given, expected form, adding a new dimension: space. It is ideological key and historical milestone in the world of art glass. This is the reason why Rene Roubicek is even today able to evoke imagination with his work among all who are able to appreciate timeless beauty of Bohemian glass.

Image courtesy of Wiener Silber.

Loa Vases by Zaha Hadid, manufactured by Wiener Silber // The “Loa” and “Vesu” vases express a powerful dynamic through their intricate surface complexity. Informed by the volcanic forces of expansion and compression that have generated the subtle fluctuations and distortions of ripples enveloping their surface, the vases’ sculptural sensibility conveys a characteristic solidity, yet reveals their origin from a fluid state. Surface reflections amplify this perception, adding depth and complexity from the colours and light of their context.

LQ-P-Chandelier by Hani Rashid // With his contemporary chandelier design, the renowned architect and artist Hani Rashid presents his personal interpretation of the historic candelabrum. ‘LQ’ a humorous reference of the New York architect to Louis Quatorze, the Sun King, alludes to the exuberance of the chandeliers of former times and translates it for use in contemporary projects.

Photo courtesy of Crafts Council.

Tropical Noire collection of Sculptural Vessels by Simone Brewster for Crafts Council // These pieces have been crafted out of a mix of tulipwood and stacked birch plywood and have been sculpted employing traditional hand lathing. Each item displays a distinct characteristic linking back to its inspiration, which sought to combine organic forms within nature with that of totemic statues and traditional Grecian and African containers. The resulting objects redolently echo Sub Saharan African sculpture and colonial artifacts, whilst remaining contemporary in their confident translation and application to geometric figures.

The Sound Therapist by S-H-A-N // Beijing-based design duo S-H-A-N have launched their Hi-Fi loudspeaker brand “The Sound Therapist”. The first series, called “Memory Recovery”, is an attempt to help people recover lost memories. Handcrafted using traditional Chinese Sŭn Măo structures to connect each piece of wood, the shells of the speakers have been made without any screws, maintaining the integrity of the wood for perfect harmony.

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Design Days Dubai 2015.