Dubai: Dubai Design District (d3) will host the second chapter of ‘UAE Design Stories: The Next Generation from the Emirates’ at the London Design Fair from September 20 to 23 in the Old Truman Brewery, E1.
The exhibition is supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development and is being curated by renowned Emirati product designer Khalid Shafar.
Following the successful first chapter held at Salone Del Mobile in Milan in April, d3 has set a new brief for Chapter 2, entitled ‘Objects of the Past: Today’, which invites the eight selected designers to delve into the historical photographic archives of the UAE and unearth pictorial history surrounding the region’s nomadic roots.
“It is an outstanding achievement to see the UAE Design Stories: The Next Generation from the Emirates exhibition that promotes some of our best Emirati creative talent at leading global events, including Salone del Mobile in Milan in April, London Design Festival in September and the upcoming Emirati Cultural Week in Paris,” said Shaikh Salem Khalid Al Qasimi, assistant undersecretary for knowledge development.
Designers are tasked with interpreting pieces from the archives into modern-day designs, taking their inspiration from the UAE’s earliest residents. The designers will bring to life products and pieces using modern-day design methodologies and processes, and present contemporary interpretations of items that held great value to those nomadic families for whom travelling through deserts and oceans was an integral part of life, and navigating ever-changing landscapes was a lifestyle.
Designers will create unique commissions for London, each inspired by these exquisite and treasured archives.
The exhibition will then travel to Paris as part of the UAE-France Cultural Dialogue programme before returning to Dubai for Dubai Design Week from November 12 to 17.
