I was eager to visit Design Days Dubai as I had missed it in Paris. I was not expecting much after receiving a few mediocre reviews. But as always I like to follow my own instinct, and I am so glad I did. Firstly the tent for Design Days was built right next to the iconic Burj Khalifa, so location wise it was just as inspiring. The exhibit was rather small, but it was the collection of versatile artists and design exhibitors with their unique products that made the whole experience worthwhile. I cannot possibly cover all the artists in one post, as most galleries displayed works from a collection of talented artists and designers.
Today I would like to talk about the Carpenters workshop gallery. It was established in 2005 by two Parisian entrepreneurs and art devotees in their search for bold and iconic design art. They foster fresh talent as well as established artists.
The first piece is by Gordijn and Nauta
“Their breath taking Fragile Future series of light sculptures offers its spectators ‘a piece of a dream world’. Real dandelion heads are arranged within a phosphorescent bronze structure closely resembling a circuit board, delicately floating in a mesmerizing state. Fragile Future has received much recent acclaim, winning the first ‘Artprize’ in 2006, and the International ‘Lights of the Future’ prize from the German Design Council in 2008. In 2010 Drift were awarded the Moët-Hennessy PAD London prize for their Fragile Future Concrete Chandelier.”
FRAGILE FUTURE CHANDELIER
"Sebastian Brajkovic investigates the notions of perspective and distortion of form through his sculptural furniture pieces. This interest in the rotation and skewing of an object originated from his childhood, when reel-to-reel tape decks and car wheels were such a source of overwhelming intrigue to the young Brajkovic that his parents wondered if he might be autistic (he was not). As he matured his fascination manifested itself in painting and sculpture, eventually resulting in the creation of the Lathe series of tables and chairs, which have been identified as a modern classic of design and reside in the permanent collection of institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) and the Museum of Arts and Design (New York)."
LATHE VIII & LATHE TABLE
Studio Job was founded in 2000 by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel, both graduates of the Design Academy Eindhoven now based in Antwerp and the Netherlands. They redefine the decorative arts for the contemporary age. Their collaboration has created highly expressive, mainly one-off or limited edition works, from the outset.
Often cast in bronze or, later, crafted from laser-cut marquetry, the physical potential and malleability of the materials they use is pushed to the hilt. Their approach is more in keeping with that of traditional guilds than anything industrial. For Studio Job, creation is pre-eminent over definition. Studio Job’s style has become synonymous with the term ‘neo-gothic’. This style is placed within an enigmatic, intellectual framework by the number and complexity of symbols and significance it conveys.
TAJ MAHAL TABLE & EIFFEL TOWER LAMP
Humberto & Fernando Campana have been solidly building their design career through innovation by incorporating the idea of transformation and reinvention. Employing local factories and industries to produce their work provides close connections to the culture and heritage of Brazil. Giving preciousness to banal, day-to-day or common materials carries not only the creativity of the designs, but also distinctly Brazilian characteristics – the colours, the mixtures of materials, the creative chaos, and the triumph of the simple solutions. Based in Sao Paulo, Estudio Campana is constantly investigating new possibilities in furniture making, forming bridges and dialogues where the exchange of information is also a source of inspiration.
SUSHI STEEL BUFFET
Technically advanced, futuristic installations are at the core of the work of UK-based RANDOM INTERNATIONAL. The installations they develop emphasise the potential for a performative relationship between the animate (the audience) and the inanimate ( the object or space). Their work invites human presence to bring artificial intelligence to life. Participating in the work and generating its response inspires a sense of wonder.
FADE TO LIGHT- 1064 Lumiblade LED's, Custom Circuitboard, Aluminium Suspension, Custom Driver Software, Motion Tracking, Computer
* ARTIST INFO AND MOST PICTURES TAKEN FROM CARPENTERS WORKSHOP GALLERY
I hope you are leaving this post as inspired as I am. I am spell bound by what the collaboration between creative talent, fine workmanship and artistry could result in and feel lucky to have had this experience to touch and interact with the brilliance of such artists. Pushing your own boundaries is what it's about.... till next time... "Stay Funky"
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 9:08PM
