Semi-finalists announced for ‘The Middle East Emergent Designer Prize’ by Van Cleef & Arpels in collaboration with Tashkeel and Design Days Dubai

The Middle East Emergent Designer Prize by Van Cleef & Arpels, has just announced the pool of semi-finalists in the running for its 2017 prize. This is the fifth year that High Jewelry Maison Van Cleef & Arpels collaborates with Tashkeel and Design Days Dubai on the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize, whose aim it is to continue to provide a platform and opportunities for emerging talent.

This year’s theme is Growth, and touches upon the importance of both physical and intellectual growth. The open call for entries welcomed submissions with products related to growth, in relation to both culture and aspirations while maintaining practicality.

The semi-finalists are: Aezad Muzaffar Alam, Ali Al-Sammarraie & Tareq Al Khawam, Amal Selim, Anjali Srinivasan, Hamza Al Omari, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Mohamad Ghulman, Raudha Al Ghurair & Sawsan Al Bahar, and Ricardas Blazukas.

“Each of the candidates responded to the theme of Growth in their own unique and creative style, which lends to making this fifth edition of the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize very interesting and thought provoking”, said Jill Hoyle, Manager of Tashkeel.

For Aezad Muzaffar Alam, organic self-regulating growth has inspired his concept Hive. The result is a contemporary shelving system, adaptive to suit the nomadic needs of an urban dweller. Ali Al-Sammarraie & Tareq Al Khawam submitted Stellar Augmentation and believe that a star is a perfect metaphor for Dubai’s growth. In Rubberesque, Amal Selim recreates the Islamic interlock technique “latticework” by replacing the typically used wood with a rubbery material as the wooden products are deemed unsuitable for our present lifestyle.  Anjali Srinivasan’s proposal, titled Scintilla, included 3D-printing of 2 particular types of ball and socket components. The components fit into each other to create larger linkages, like a network of invisible molecules that grow into tangible material.

“I am especially impressed by the emergence of young designers in the Middle East, year after year, and am thrilled that this prize enables and encourages them to express their talents, grow their visions, and enhance their potential” says Rawan Kashkoush, Head of Programming for Design Days Dubai.

Hamza Al Omari takes a closer look at the components that make up the traditional bedouin “Sameel”, re-introducing the forgotten design and finding function in necessity in his proposed concept titled Mahad. Painterly Structures/The Growth of Process by Ibrahim Ibrahim, is a proposed chair made of 2 systems: a reciprocal frame structure and a resin seat. Mohamad Ghulman’s proposal, Sanad, is a modular system that allows the user to stack shelves on top of existing desks/tables without using any sort of nails, joints, or adhesives. Raudha Al Ghurair and Sawsan Al Bahar have joined forces in Breaking Bread; a lighting sculpture that adheres to the concept of growth, and one that borrows its modular arrangement from the underlying natural structure of a growth. Ricardas Blazukas reinterprets growth by combining new and traditional materials, types of craft as well as methods of DIY production by re-adapting a method used in the past with a modern approach in Ceramic Stools Collection.

“The response that we received from the open call for entries, in terms of the number of applications submitted this year is a testament to the importance of the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize. Along with our partners, Tashkeel and Design Days Dubai, we’re honored to be in a position that helps shape and gives voice to the region’s design and creative environment” comments Alessandro Maffi, Managing Director Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East and India.

The semi-finalists announced today will receive AED 2,000 to showcase 3D prints of their work in November 2017 while three finalists will each be granted AED 10,000 to produce mock ups, also to be exhibited in November 2017. The winner of the Middle East Emergent Desiger Prize will be announced in November 2017. The coveted award comes with an additional AED 20,000, for a total of AED 30,000 to realise the final work and a 5 day trip to Paris to attend courses at the prestigious L’ÉCOLE des Arts Joailliers, the first school to initiate the public into the secrets of the jewelry world, courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.

About Van Cleef & Arpels

Founded in 1906 in Paris’ Place Vendôme, Van Cleef & Arpels came into being following Alfred Van Cleef’s marriage to Estelle Arpels in 1895. Always striving for excellence, the Maison has become a worldwide reference through its unique designs, its choice of exceptional stones and its virtuoso craftsmanship, offering jewels and timepieces that tell stories and bring enchantment to life. Over the years, the Maison has remained faithful to this highly distinctive style characterized by creativity, refinement and poetry. Whether inspired by nature, couture or works of the imagination, its collections evoke a timeless world of beauty and harmony. www.vancleefarpels.com 

About Tashkeel

Established in 2008 by Lateefa bint Maktoum, Tashkeel is a contemporary art organisation based in Dubai committed to facilitating art and design practice, creative experimentation and cross-cultural dialogue. Placing the artist at the core, Tashkeel supports the UAE’s creative community through studio facilities, artists’ residencies, international fellowships, a programme of exhibitions, events and professional as well as recreational workshops. Tashkeel is committed to bringing art and culture to a wider audience and engaging the local community. For more information, please visit: http://www.tashkeel.org 

About Design Days Dubai

Design Days Dubai is the first design fair of its kind in the Middle East, bringing the most exclusive selection of purchasable, limited-edition design to the region. A showcase of desirable, rare and unique design creations, Design Days Dubai will be held from March 14-17, 2017, to coincide with Art Week, the city’s premier art event. For its sixth edition, Design Days Dubai will be located at Dubai Design District and with a brand new lay out.

About L’ÉCOLE des Arts Joailliers

Located at the heart of Paris’ Place Vendôme, L’ÉCOLE des Arts Joailliers, the first school to initiate the public into the secrets of the jewelry world, is a unique learning institution, welcoming the general public into the secretive worlds of jewelry and watchmaking. Since February 2012, it has offered a privileged opportunity to discover and experience the essence of these exceptional crafts. With the goal of reaching out across borders and welcoming people into the fascinating worlds of jewelry and watchmaking, L’ÉCOLE des Arts Joailliers travels to meet its students in their own countries and to offer them a complete curriculum of courses and evening conversations.