Events

“We are the Imprints” at Dubai Design Week

WHEN

Monday 8 November, 2021 12:00PM & Friday 12 November, 2021 09:00PM

VENUE

Booth E15, Downtown Design, Dubai Design District (D3)

1971 – Design Space presents “We are the imprints” invites visitors to discover Physiognomy in a spatial experience at Downtown Design as of Downtown Edition. The experience is a collaboration between the designer Jawaher AlKhayyal and LBO Studio. The experience represents the conclusion of a research by Jawaher Al Khayyal, based on a book titled “Ilm Al-firasa ind Al Arab” (The Science of Physiognomy amongst Arabs) dating back to the Medieval Islamic Period, by the renowned Arab philosopher and scholar Fakhr El Din Al Razi”. The book discusses the Science of Physiognomy, which has become an almost neglected science in our modern world, because of its mystic and intuitive aspects. Physiognomy, translated as “Firaasa”, was recognised by Arabs as a science like other crucial sciences in the past, such as astronomy, chemistry, and various systems of divination that used to be prevalent at the time. Enabling such an experience of Physiognomy, the designer translates intangible concepts using modular designs.

The experience recreates a version of the ongoing exhibition “We are the Imprints” at 1971 – Design Space. The collaboration highlight what LBO studio has to offer from distinct materials. LBO Studio’s collaboration plan series seeks to promote debate, highlight cross-disciplinary creativity, and emphasize their creative objective of working with creatives in the region. The experience and exhibition leaves its visitors with broader questions on Physiognomy to reflect on: for example, whether Physiognomy is still relevant as a study today or if it is simply a gift that a person is born with? Do studies of modern concepts of Physiognomy exist and how are they keeping pace with our current time.

About Jawaher AlKhayyal

Jawaher Alkhayyal is an Emirati Interior architect and product designer. Through her works, she explores traditional craftsmanship, stories from the past and elements of nostalgia to create unconventional & engaging experiences.

After studying interior architecture at Zayed University in Dubai, Jawaher moved to Lausanne, Switzerland to study Design For Luxury and Craftsmanship at ECAL (Ecole Cantonale D’art de Lausanne), where she trained with renowned international Luxury brands and craftsmen. She also earned certifications in Business from IMD Lausanne, lighting design from Chelsea College of Arts and furniture design from Central Saint Martins.

Upon returning from Switzerland, Jawaher’s concern for the conservation of traditional craft skills inspired her to launch the Sarab Collection, her first homeware collection at Downtown Design During Dubai Design Week (2019). Creations from The Sarab Collection were later acquired and displayed at Dubai International Airport as well as The House of Artisans in Abudhabi.

In 2020, Jawaher setup her own studio practice, which encompasses multidisciplinary design works ranging from bespoke retail and residential interiors to art installations and homeware design.

She has worked in collaboration with multiple designers, creatives and clients including Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, The Youth Office, Dubai Design District, The Cultural Office of her highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Almaktoum and Maison Piaget.

Jawaher Alkhayyal also serves as a member of the Cultural Office Womens Creative Network, an initiative organised by the cultural office of her highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Almaktoum in 2019, which aims to advance womens professional contribution towards the growth of art & culture in UAE.