Design Days Dubai: High-end Collectibles

Design Days Dubai, the Middle East’s and South Asia’s first fair dedicated to collectible and limited edition design, has announced its programme for the inaugural edition where visitors will be able to view over 400 rare and limited edition design works alongside a packed programme of talks, workshops and performances.

Cyril Zammit, Fair Director, Design Days Dubai, said: “While the demand for design and design-related collectibles has increased significantly in the region, at Design Days Dubai, we are committed to fostering a substantial understanding between the artists and galleries and the visitors. Through the course of the fair, Design Days Dubai will provide design-enthusiasts with insights into the world of design, from inspirations and concepts, to finishes and investment.”

Those who will experience design for the first time as well as design aficionados alike can enjoy an extensive list of live performances at the fair with highlights including Studio Drift’s amazing ballet of lights; the world premiere of Ice Angel by Dominic Harris – an interactive work that depicts wings on the visitors; a creative weather station by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur named “Tomorrow is another Day”; and Kwangho Lee at work carving stools.

For those interested in knowing more about design, there will be a series of lectures open to all that includes trend forecasting with internationally acclaimed Li Edelkoort, and Rabih Hage speaking on design as an investment.

Each day of the fair there will be workshops that provide opportunities for local designers to integrate with some of the world’s leading designers: The Khatt Foundation will explore the link between Arabic lettering and product design: Korean designer Kwangho Lee will share his skills in weaving with Emirati products; and Brazilian designers Leo Capote and Amaury will team up with design students in producing objects. In addition, international star designer Nada Debs will also be at hand to review portfolios of design students during one-to-one talks and will advise those looking for careers in design.

Design Days Dubai will be held from March 18 to 21, 2012, at a specially designed venue by the base of Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, the flagship mega-development by Emaar Properties. The event is organised in partnership with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), The Address Hotels + Resorts, and design patrons Audi and Van Cleef & Arpels. It also coincides with the contemporary art fair Art Dubai, and is an integral part of Art Week.