DESIGN DAYS DUBAI | 2013 ACTIVITY REPORT 1

ACTIVITY REPORT

2014

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@designdaysdubai @designdaysdubai

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Contents

07 Introduction

10 Exhibitors

12 Live Performances

18 Installations

26 Focus on the Middle East

28 Design Stories

30 Public Programme

34 Facts & Figures

_Sales

_Visitor Profile

40 Press, PR & Media

_Press & PR Highlights

_Social Media

46 Partner & Sponsors

52 Testimonials: Exhibitors

54 Testimonials: Press

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Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al

Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the third annual Design Days Dubai delivered the

world’s most diverse collection of design galleries, exclusively showcasing modern and

contemporary, investment-quality collectible and limited edition furniture and design objects.

The first fair of its kind in the Middle East and South Asia, Design Days Dubai 2014

welcomed exhibitors from 20 countries, showcasing 40 exhibitors (33 design galleries),

drawing creations from more than 239 designers. With over a third of the exhibiting

galleries stemming from the Middle East, the 2014 edition of the fair offered a stimulating

public programme of discussion panels, lectures, installations and workshops, as well

as offering visitors the chance to experience private tours with design professionals,

providing insight and context behind the works available at the event.

Design Days Dubai 2014 played host to over 12,150 visitors over six days—a 40%

increase in visitor numbers from the inaugural edition and a 12% increase compared

to the fair’s second edition. Design Days Dubai 2014 also witnessed a 10% increase in

sales over the course of the fair in comparison to 2013.

Located at Emaar’s custom-built location, “The Venue” in Downtown Dubai, at the base

of Burj Khalifa—the world’s tallest building—Design Days Dubai 2014 took place with

the generous support of returning sponsors, Van Cleef & Arpels, Emaar, Audi Middle

East and the strategic partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

Introduction

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“The prestigious fair has quickly established itself as a meeting point for regional and international buyers and collectors interested in contemporary design.” – wallpaper*, UK

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Design Days Dubai 2014 hosted 40 exhibitors (33 design galleries) from 20 countries with more than 239 designers works exhibited. The third edition of Design Days Dubai saw a rise in Middle Eastern-based galleries exhibiting, with over a third being represented at this year’s fair.

In addition to the fair’s exhibiting galleries and the Bespoke Design section, Design Days Dubai introduced a new section entitled, Discover, focusing on the emergence of a contemporary design scene in a single country. For 2014, the country of choice was France, a country better known for its traditional design.

ExhibitorsDesign GalleriesThe Algerian Agency for Culture Outreach, Algeria

Art Factum Gallery, Lebanon

Authentique Art & Design, UAE

Carpenters Workshop Gallery, UK/France

Carwan Gallery, Lebanon

Clear Edition & Gallery, Japan

Coalesce Design Studio, Pakistan

+Coletivo Amor de Madre, Brazil

Crafts Council, UK

_Croft, South Korea

Erastudio Apartment Gallery, Italy

The Fabrick Lab, China

FN Designs, UAE

Galerie Gosserez, France*

Galerie Judy Straten, The Netherlands

Gallery S. Bensimon, France*

Galerie Steinitz, France

Galerie Yves Gastou, France

Hybrid Art Management, Hungary

Industry Gallery, USA

J+A Gallery, UAE

Nakkash Gallery, UAE

Naqsh Design House, Jordan

NextLevel Galerie, France*

Sabrina Landini Atelier & Gallery, Italy

ShowMe Design & Art Gallery, Portugal

Southern Guild, South Africa

Stilwerk Limited Edition Design Gallery, Germany

Tashkeel, UAE

VCUQatar, Qatar

Victor Hunt Designart Dealer, Belgium

Wiener Silber Manufactur, Austria

Ymer&Malta, France*

*Discover, presented in partnership with Institut Français (UAE)

Bespoke DesignBinôme, France

Iwan Maktabi, Lebanon

Shamsa Alabbar, UAE

Squad Design, Lebanon

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Live Performances

Three leading design groups were asked to perform works that were displayed throughout the week.

Flowstone Chen Chen & Kai Williams, presented by +Coletivo Amor de Madre

LESS CPPgt2P, presented by +Coletivo Amor de Madre

Transformations Rolf Bruggink, presented by Galerie Judy Straten

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Chen Chen and Kai Williams demonstrated their skill of forming ‘fossils from mankind’ by creating vessels—one vessel a day, each one 91cm tall—using a unique dripping cement technique they had developed.

coletivoamordemadre.com/galleriachen-williams.com

gt2p showed, for the first time, ‘LESS CPP’, a project that explored the idea of creating standard machines that generate non-standard results. The project mixed analogue numerical controls with traditional materials and techniques, integrated into one real-time process, thus suggesting that parametric design is not necessarily a digital computation methodology.

coletivoamordemadre.com/galleriagt2p.com

FLowSTonE By CHEn CHEn & KAi WiLLiAMS PRESEnTED By +CoLETiVo AMoR DE MADRE

LESS CPPBy GT2P PRESEnTED By +CoLETiVo AMoR DE MADRE

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Taking place daily during the fair, Rolf Bruggink made a range of contemporary stools by transforming saucers into seats. Through simple and rational processes, the designer transformed the prosaic into the poetically expressive, creating his stools from concrete, composed of sand from the desert, combined with local ceramics.

galeriejudystraten.comrolf.fr

TranSForMaTIonS By RoLf BRUGGinK PRESEnTED By GALERiE JUDy STRATEn

“We are starting to be able to predict what people will buy – even pieces that might be considered unlikely. Almost everything sold as it is – or through commissions for special sizes. I think people value the narrative quality of our pieces, and the fact that the hand of the craftsman makes them unique as well as beautiful.”– Trevyn McGowan, Southern Guild

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Installations

Five striking installations were shown at this year’s fair

Climatology: respired wooden SkinElaine ng yan Ling, presented by The fabrick Lab

Full TurnBenjamin Muzzin, presented by ECAL

Light Sculptures Castor & PolluxGiles Miller, presented by Capsule Arts

Miracle Chips By Michael Anastassiades, presented by Carwan Gallery

PP TreesBy Tom Price, presented by industry Gallery, in cooperation with British Council

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CLIMaToLoGy: rESPIrED wooDEn SkInBy ELAinE nG yAn LinGPRESEnTED By THE fABRiCK LAB

FuLL TurnBy BEnJAMin MUzzin PRESEnTED By ECAL

‘Climatology’ celebrated nature’s survival tactics and reflected the changing seasons. originally designed for a Beijing site—a former imperial garden—and engineered to the city’s climate, ‘Climatology’ was a new series of experimental smart textiles derived from the design concept of naturology. Layers of veneer were combined with fabric, thermo-chromatic resin and reflective surfaces to create objects that adapt to fluctuations in light, temperature and humidity.

thefabricklab.comelaineyanlingng.com

‘full Turn’ explored the notion of the third dimension, with the desire to rethink the usual format of a flat screen. The work explored and experimented with different devices for displaying images, trying to give animations a sense of volume in space. The resulting machine worked with the rotation of two screens placed back to back, creating a three-dimensional animated sequence that offered viewers a 360-degree view.

ecal.chbenjaminmuzzin.ch

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LIGhT SCuLPTurES CaSTor & PoLLuxBy GiLES MiLLERPRESEnTED By CAPSULE ARTS

Capsule Arts presented a special commission, for Design Days Dubai, by Giles Miller Studio, a London-based studio that specialises in developing innovative textural surface design. Known for creating imagery and visual effects through shadow and reflection, the studio made its first foray into lighting design during the fair.

capsulearts.comgilesmiller.com

MIraCLE ChIPS By MiCHAEL AnASTASSiADES PRESEnTED By CARWAn GALLERy

Via his ‘Miracle Chips’ installation, Michael Anastassiades achieved the seemingly impossible: making marble look light and flexible. Anastassiades teamed up with the Tuscan marble specialist Henraux, of Monte Altissimo, near Pietrasanta, setting its technicians the challenge of pushing the limits of what is technologically possible while preserving the inherent qualities of marble.

carwangallery.commichaelanastassiades.com

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“I’ve been struck by the genuine, open curiosity: people are very interested in the why, what and how about the work – and where it can be used. They make far fewer assumptions than people in Europe and North America. It’s very good for design – sparking the debate about what design can be, should be and shouldn’t be.”– Tom Price, Designer (PP Trees Installation)

PP TrEESBy ToM PRiCE - PRESEnTED By inDUSTRy GALLERy in CooPERATion WiTH BRiTiSH CoUnCiL

The installation ‘PP Trees’, was both an expression of the capabilities of the material, polypropylene pipe, and an observation of our understanding and acceptance of beauty. The longevity and ready availability of the industrially manufactured materials used to construct the installation stood in stark contrast to the ephemerality and natural beauty of the cherry trees and blossoms that it echoes. The trees were not intended to be accurate representations of natural forms, but evoked an atmosphere similar to what one might experience standing amid a cluster of cherry trees in full bloom.

industrygallerydc.comtom-price.com

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Focus on the Middle East

Van Cleef & arpels announced winner of The Middle East Emergent artist Prize 2014

Van Cleef & Arpels, Tashkeel (Dubai) and Design Days Dubai unveiled the work of Vikram Divecha that won him this year’s The Middle East Emergent artist Prize. over 80 submissions were reviewed by the selection committee made up of experts in their field, including writer and curator Murtaza Vali; Shumon Basar, curator for the Global Art forum, Art Dubai; Director of the international Academy of Art Palestine, Dr. Tina Sherwell; Alban Belloir, Managing Director Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & india; Cyril zammit, fair Director of Design Days Dubai; Tashkeel founder and Director Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum; and Anabelle de Gersigny, Strategy and Partnership Development Manager at Tashkeel. As part of his prize, Divecha will be travelling to Paris to spend a week of hands-on training at L’Ecole Van Cleef & Arpels and to visit the jewellery Maison’s ateliers, where its master craftsmen work.

The Middle East once again enjoyed prominent representation at Design Days Dubai 2014 with over a third of all participating galleries from the region:

Art Factum Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

Authentique Art & Design, Dubai, UAE

Carwan Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon

Fatima Bint Mohammad Initiative, Abu

Dhabi, UAE

FN Designs, Dubai, UAE

Iwan Maktabi, Beirut, Lebanon

J+A Gallery, Dubai, UAE

Nakkash Gallery, Dubai, UAE

Naqsh Design House, Amman, Jordan

Shamsa Alabbar, Dubai, UAE

Squad Design, Beirut, Lebanon

Tashkeel, Dubai, UAE

VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar

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Design Stories

Schedule

‘Design Stories’ is Design Days Dubai’s public talk’s programme that promotes design throughout the year in the region, and gives regional collectors an exclusive chance to learn about the fair exhibitors and the designs to be showcased at the fair.

The programme was hosted at premier art galleries and institutions in keys cities such as athr Gallery (Jeddah), katara Gallery (Doha), art Factum Gallery (Beirut) and king Faisal Foundation (riyadh).

The talks proved enormously popular and successful, and resulted in a 30% increase in regional collectors visiting the fair.

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Beirut, Carwan Gallery, Collecting Design

SEPTEMBEr 2013

Dubai, La Galerie nationale, Design & Technology

oCToBEr 2013

Dubai, Downtown Design, nouvelle Vague Volume ii – The Vitality of young Emerging Designers

DECEMBEr 2013

Bahrain, Al Riwaq Art Space, Design Days Dubai Preview & The Challenges faced by Designers in Bahrain

January 2013

Beirut, Art factum Gallery, Design Days Dubai Preview & A Discussion with Karim Chaya

kuwait, Benchmark Design forum, Design Days Dubai Preview

Doha, Katara Art Centre, Design Days Dubai Preview & Panel Discussion with designers based in Qatar

FEBruary 2013

Jeddah, Athr Gallery, Design Days Dubai Preview

riyadh, King faisal foundation - Saudi Design Week, Design Days Dubai Preview & Panel Discussion with Saudi & Emirati designers

amman, Darat Al funun, Design Days Dubai Preview in the presence of designers from naqsh Design Studio

abu Dhabi, The Space, Design Days Dubai Preview

Sharjah, Maraya Art Centre, Design Days Dubai Preview

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Dubai, A4, Design Days Dubai Preview, in the presence of Dubai based exhibiting design galleries

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Daily ScheduleIn partnership with Dubai Culture & arts authority and supported by d3 (Dubai Design District), Design Days Dubai’s public programme welcomed over 600 participants to more than 25 complimentary sessions, further establishing the fair as a catalyst for growth in knowledge and awareness of design in the region.

Visitors were given the opportunity to attend interactive workshops, talks and panel discussions, with a diverse selection of speakers from established design professionals, to young emerging designers.

Public ProgrammeMONDAY, 17 MARCH 2013 Workshop 11am –1pm‘Fold’ led by Francisco TorresWorkshop 1.30pm – 3.30pm‘2D – 3D’ led by Aljoud Lootah Workshop 4pm – 6pm ‘A hands-on Adventure with Terracotta’ led by Brian Dougan & Xeina AlMalki Screening – 6.45pm‘Ten British Makers’ presented by the Crafts Council (UK)Talk 8pm – 9pm‘My Life in Design’ led by India Mahdavi, introduced by Rue Kothari, Editor of Harpers Bazaar Interiors

TUESDAY, 18 MARCH 2013 Workshop 11am – 1pm‘Saucer Bowl’ led by Studio Rolf.fr, presented by Galerie Judy StratenWorkshop 1.30pm – 3.30pm‘Casting Planters’ led by Chen Chen & Kai Williams, presented by +Coletivo Amor de MadreWorkshop 4pm – 6pm‘Fold’ led by Francisco TorresScreening – 6.45pm‘Ten British Makers’ presented by the Crafts Council (UK)Talk 7pm – 8pm‘Parametrics of Design’ led by Guto Requena & gt2p, presented by +Coletivo Amor de MadreTalk 8pm – 9pm‘The Role & Value of Bespoke & Interior Design’ Led by Giles Miller & Andy Martin, with Capsule Arts

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Daily ScheduleWEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 2013 Workshop 11am – 1pm‘M-OTTO 3D Space Puzzle’ led by MOTOElastico, presented by VCUQatarTalk 1pm – 4pm‘Design Research’ a Round Table Discussion led by Paula Zuccoti, presented by British Council in partnership with tasmena Talk 4pm – 5pm‘Voice & the Creative Economy’ led by Peter Di Sabatino, presented by British Council in partnership with tasmena Workshop 5pm – 7pm‘Carpet Diffusion’ led by Silvia Knüppel, presented by Goethe InstitutScreening – 6.45pm‘Ten British Makers’ presented by the Crafts Council (UK)Talk 8pm – 9pm‘A Conversation with Michele Lamy’ led by Nadia Eldasher

THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 2013 Workshop 11am – 1pm‘Carpet Stories’ led by Silvia Knüppel, presented by Goethe InstitutWorkshop 1.30pm – 3.30pm‘Saucer Bowl’ led by Studio Rolf.fr, presented by Galerie Judy StratenWorkshop 4pm – 6pm‘Story telling as part of Visualizing Impact’ led by Ramzi Jaber, presented by Nuqat Screening – 6.45pm‘Ten British Makers’ presented by the Crafts Council (UK)Talk 8pm – 9pm’Made in Dubai’ led by Faysal Tabbara, presented by FN Designs & WTD Magazine

FRIDAY, 21 MARCH 2013 Workshop 2pm – 5pm ‘Creative Process to a Better Society’ led by GravinaTalk 5pm – 6pm ‘Design Incubation’ led by Roanne Dods, Khalid Mezaina & Anabelle de Gersigny, presented by TashkeelScreening – 6.30pm ‘Ten British Makers’ presented by the Crafts Council (UK)

TOURS & SPECIAL VISITS Private ToursGuided tours for individuals and corporate were offered daily at 5pm & 7pm. School VisitsOn request and subject to availability, guided tours were offered on Thursday 20th March from 12pm – 4pm.

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Facts &Figures

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“The fair has met all of our expectations, with a lot of new contacts and a very keen and interested audience. I’m pleased that the range of pieces we chose to bring – which really reflects our philosophy as a gallery – met with such a positive response.”

– ShowMe Design & Art Gallery, Portugal

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SalesDesign Days Dubai 2014 witnessed a 10% increase in sales over the course of the fair in comparison with 2013.

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Price range from $1,000 - $3,500,000

Special commissions confirmed from architectural bureaux and individuals from the region

9%

19%

26%

25%

21%

international

Kuwait

Lebanon

Saudi Arabia

UAE

12%

10%

11%

45%

22%

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

MEnA

Estimated Buyers by Location %

Estimated origin of Sold Items %

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Visitor ProfileDesign Days Dubai 2014 played host to over 12,150 visitors over six days, an increase of 40% from the inaugural edition.

The fair also saw an increase in uaE national visitors, as well as those visiting from the GCC region.

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Sunday 2,463

Monday 1,423

Tuesday 2,150

Wednesday 1,891

Thursday 2,226

friday 1,997

Total 12,150

Visitors Per Day 2014

origin of Visitors %

Visitor Groups %

UAE

Gulf

international

25% 60%

15%

Guest of sponsors

Guest of Art Dubai

Students

Emaar Residents

Guest of Media Partners

others

Guest of exhibitors

12%

14%

13%

13%7%

37%

4%

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Press, Pr &Media

with Public relations conducted regionally by The Portsmouth Group and internationally by Brunswick Group, Design Days Dubai 2014 generated coverage in over 643 regional and international titles.

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Press & Pr highlightsPrint & online Publications

Regional & national titles: 446 articles (+37%), including broadcast interviews (compared with 325 in 2013)

international titles: 197 articles (+30%), including broadcast interviews (compared with 151 in 2013)

General PressAccredited press in attendance: 430 (compared with 390 in 2013) including 95 press members from UAE and Middle East

Media Partners

key International Titles

national & regional TV & radio

PromotionDubai

Electronic Boards: Dubai Mall Electronic Boards: Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Skywalk Electronic Screens: Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Branding on 150 Dubai Taxis

regional Design Stories: Presentation of Design Days Dubai in:

Art Week Magazine - spread, distribution of copies throughout UAE & Doha (10,000 Copies)

Design Days Dubai’s Communication Channels fair Presentation Pre-fair Catalogue flyers invitations The Book: Design Days Dubai Catalogue fair Guide

L’Agenda Culturel, Lebanon

Alef, Qatar

Art in the City, UAE

Brownbook, Pan-Arab

Canvas, Pan-Arab

Casa International, China

Decoration International, france

Design Diffusion News, italy

Design KSA, Saudi Arabia

DeTnk, UK

Dubai One, UAE

Elle Arabia, GCC

Feel Desain, italy

Harpers Bazaar Interiors Arabia, Pan-Arab

ID Prestige, Morocco

Identity, UAE

Inside, Australia

International New York Times, UAE

My Arts Guide, italy/UAE

Oasis, Saudi Arabia

Russian Emirates, UAE

Saudi Art Guide, Saudi Arabia

Superstudio, italy

Surface, USA

T Emirates, UAE

The Art Newspaper, UK

TL Mag, france

WTD Magazine, UAE

Yookô, france

YourAOK, Kuwait

wallpaper*, UK

Domus, italy

Les Echos, france

ArtInfo, USA

Case & Stil, Germany/italy

Vogue, Germany

The Star, Malaysia

Feel Desain, italy

ID Prestige, Morocco

Surface Magazine, USA

Dubai One TV, 6 live interviews from the fair, UAE

Dubai Eye FM, UAE

Abu Dhabi Classic FM, UAE

Sky News Arabia, UAE

MBC TV , UAE

Associated Press TV, Pan-Arab

Al Riwaq Art Space, Bahrain

Art factum Gallery, Beirut

Benchmark Design forum, Kuwait

Katara Art Centre, Doha

Athr Gallery, Jeddah

King faisal foundation, Riyadh

Darat Al funun, Amman

The Space, Abu Dhabi

Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah

A4, Dubai

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2,000followers

4,496 followers

7,882followers

Social MediaDesign Days Dubai’s presence on social media platforms had a positive response and reached an ever- wider audience.

The fair’s Facebook and Twitter profile received a 69% increase in “likes” and a 75% increase in followers respectively.

Figures correct as of March 2014

Design Days Dubai Facebook Fans (Demographics & Location)35,298 likes (an increase of 69%

compared to figures in 2013)

Design Days Dubai Twitter Followers (numbers & Location)7,882 followers (an increase of

75% compared to figures in 2013)

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M F

Profile of Facebook fans by gender:

59% 41%origin of Facebook fans:

MENA Region

Rest of World

59% 41%

origin of Twitter fans:

MENA Region

Rest of World

69.5% 30.5%

2012 20142013

10,000likes

20,840likes

35,298likes

2012 2013 2014

6,494 followers

2,076 followers

2013 2014

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Partners & SponsorsDesign Days Dubai is made possible through the encouragement and support of our strategic partner, the Dubai Culture & arts authority, and returning sponsors Van Cleef & arpels, Emaar and audi Middle East.

“As a pillar event of Dubai Art Season, the third edition of Design Days Dubai marked the arrival of Dubai’s design industry in the international arena. Serving as a platform that unites emerging and established designers with industry experts, further underlined by the inaugural 10/100/1000 initiative, we are confident that Design Days Dubai will continue to champion our design heritage and activate stronger local participation in boosting the industry.”

-Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority

Strategic Partner

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Strategic Partner

Sponsors

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“We are proud of our partnership with Design Days Dubai for the third consecutive year. in the 2014 edition, Van Cleef & Arpels presented in Praise of Hands exhibition to pay homage to the expert hands of its craftsmen: the Mains d’or™. With this exhibition, the Maison opened the doors in front of the lovers of beauty and admirers of perfection in the Middle East, into the secret and mysterious universe of its High Jewellery creations.”

-Alban Belloir, Managing Director, Van Cleef & Arpels, Middle East/India

“Emaar has played an integral part in promoting the city’s journey to creative excellence. Whether it is highlighting Dubai’s design competencies through Burj Khalifa, or showcasing sculptures in Downtown Dubai, we are committed to lending momentum to the arts and creative scene of Dubai. We were delighted to extend our support to Design Days Dubai, which energises Dubai’s creative sector.”

-Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties PJSC

SponsorSponsor

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“it was a great pleasure for Audi to once again be part of Design Days Dubai. We at Audi were honoured to be the exclusive automotive partner of Design Days Dubai alongside other strategic partners and sponsors. At Audi, supporting regional cultural arts is significant to us as a global design patron. Promoting emerging local talents is therefore hugely important as we look to build the region’s cultural scene. Design Days Dubai proved once more to be a fantastic platform to showcase the creativity that’s found in the Middle East. There’s a refined language and philosophy linking technology and design that could be seen throughout this year’s exhibition – not least in the new Audi A8 L! This latest design icon from Audi was shown during Design Days Dubai for the first time here in the UAE.”

-Trevor Hill, Managing Director, Audi Middle East

Sponsor

“Fair Gain: Exhibitors from around the globe, including six from Paris, head to a design expo in a growing market: Dubai. As a relatively new design destination, Dubai stands out from its counterparts Miami, Milan, New York, Paris, and London. The multifaceted nature of the UAE’s design community gives the fair organizers a chance to bring in a wide roster of exhibitors, from South Africa to Pakistan..”– Surface Magazine, USA

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Testimonials: Exhibitorsa few words from exhibitors that took part in Design Days Dubai 2014

“We are happy – we’ve made many good contacts, including a lot of decorators we didn’t know before, and we have been very impressed by the quality and range of collectors – from all over the Middle East and even some that we know from france and the USA – which was a surprise. People here have a real desire to learn about the pieces themselves and about collecting and the tempo is very different from other fairs – people have a real desire to learn about the work, they ask more questions and take more time to reflect. Sometimes they come back a day or two later to buy a piece they have decided on, which is never the case in Europe or America. Unfortunately, in the case of a 1940s console, it meant that they missed out, as it had sold in the meantime.”- Victor Gastou, Galerie Yves Gastou

“i am very happy – this year shows me that we are on the right path with our approach to design. in terms of the people who have come to us, it has been quality, not quantity – and this is exactly what we want. They are much more focused, they understand more and we have been selling, selling every day.”- Olivia Yassudo Faria, +Coletivo Amor de Madre

“The level of clients and galleries is very high. This is our second year and even in that short time we have seen a change – visitors are much more aware of design and their approach has become more intellectual. We have seen more architects and interior designers this year, as well as private collectors. We have also noticed that more people understand ‘limited edition’ for what it is – that it’s not a marketing term – and therefore place more value on it.”- Patrizia Tenti, Erastudio Apartment Gallery

“People are very curious – not afraid to ask about the history and background of pieces – that’s very interesting for us; it’s the kind of reaction we like because our philosophy is that design should be accessible – not always expensive. Some of the strongest interest has been in the least obvious pieces – those that are not immediately easy to understand – and this shows people here taking a real step into design.”- François Leblanc, Gallery S. Bensimon

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Testimonials: PressInternational press speak about their experience at Design Days Dubai 2014

“The heart of the United Arab Emirates beats to the rhythm of design at the largest trade show in the region, with a strong international vocation, more prominent in this third edition is the presence galleries from every corner of the world.” - Case&Stil, Italy

“The diverse list of showing galleries and selected artists contributes to the unique character of the fair and makes it one of a kind on the design-art circuit.”- Frame Magazine, the Netherlands

“Design Days Dubai fair, now in its third edition and running March 17-21, testifies that both a local and global clientele are looking to the Middle East’s premiere design event to discover contemporary talent that simply isn’t available anywhere else — and to acquire pieces by established and emerging names from around the world.”- Blouin Artinfo.com

“The third edition of the fair has expanded in terms of both the quality and number of galleries (over thirty this year) and establishes its position as a benchmark for contemporary design not just in the Middle East.”- Domus, Italy

“Design Days Dubai is a hub for both established and emerging collectors, as proven by the number of new regional galleries that have chosen this event to launch their new spaces.”- IDentity, Dubai

“Design Days Dubai is set to offer an inspiring week of incredible collectible design, art furniture, workshops, lectures, live performances, screenings and installations during Art Week, from March 17 to 21. As one of the hottest events on the art and design calendar, organisers have created an exciting programme that features exhibitions from 33 galleries from 20 countries around the world.”- Inside Out, Dubai

“The treasures of Design Days Dubai. Parisian galleries are more present at this fair which has grown significantly this year.”- AD France, France

“Design Days Dubai takes a new rise”- Le Quotidien de L’art, France

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Exhibitors

“It’s the most culturally diverse design show on the planet; showcasing rare collectibles, cutting edge galleries and installations by our brightest new designers.” – Harper’s Bazaar Interiors Arabia

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@designdaysdubai @designdaysdubai

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Cyril Zammitfair DirectorT: +971 4 384 2014E: cyril@designdaysdubai.ae

Design Days Dubaiindex Tower – Suite 1901Po BoX 72654Dubai, UAE

designdaysdubai.ae