When you see a work of art, time stops. Every warp and woof has a tale to tell that goes beyond proving its aesthetic legitimacy to demonstrating the skill and cultural vocabulary of its maker.
When you combine that with technical advancements, you have a wonderful blend of tradition and contemporary that is at the heart of the UAE’s creative scene.
Dr. Hayat Shamsuddin, Senior Vice President of Expo Pavilions and Exhibitions at Expo 2020 Dubai, states that “to truly come to know a country, one must first comprehend its history and culture.”She’s the brains of MENASA – Emirati Design Platform, a showcase that houses the work of over 40 local and international designers that individually reinvent Emirati crafts through a contemporary lens. “The theme and spirit of Expo 2020 Dubai, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,’ inspired the collective approach of MENASA, which means platform’ in Arabic,” added Dr. Hayat. MENASA is the largest-ever gathering of local and international designers, celebrating Emirati artisanal work and using craft as a communication tool that’s merged with new technologies and materials to convey stories of the UAE, and is curated by Samer Yamani, Director of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Design and Crafts Program.
“The platform’s curatorial approach was founded on three strands,” explains Dr. Hayat, “which addressed the importance of legacy crafts in Emirati culture, explored local materials within their geographical environments, and focused on the impact of design on people’s lives.” The flowing sculptural form is 13 meters long and combines cutting-edge 3D printing technology with traditional Emirati crafts and materials,” says Dr. Hayat. “Carmelo employed 3D printing technology to produce the eye-catching, dynamic form of intertwining lines that recalls the power of both natural forces and technological progress, drawing inspiration from nature.”
The futuristic 3D-printed shape was then dressed by Rami, who is known for his spectacular couture creations. He chose and worked with Sadu wool, intricate, golden designs of Talli embroidery, local natural palm fibers, and threads used in traditional fishing nets in conjunction with Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts, exploring how the physical and aesthetic aspects of the materials interact with one another.
8,000 Waves: The Pearl Diving Story, a collaboration between Todomuta and Asateer, an Emirati design business created by Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the grandson of a pearl diver, is one of the platform’s centerpieces.
The series includes a one-of-a-kind wall sculpture as well as limited-edition candle holders and incense burners made of metal and inlaid with mother of pearl cut from oyster shells cultivated locally in Ras Al Khaimah. According to Dr. Hayat, “8,000 Waves is a multi-layered depiction of the UAE, its history, and its spirit today.” Through the story of Asateer, it portrays a story of adversity and wealth, reverence for the past and memory of our grandfathers, but it also speaks to the UAE’s young and entrepreneurial spirit.”
