Van Cleef & Arpels, Tashkeel and Design Days Dubai announced today Ivan Parati as the winner of this year’s The Middle East Emergent Artist Prize. Parati’s winning piece ‘TileTable’ is a modular coffee table with traditional Islamic elements.
The Prize, aimed at further developing the recognition and realization of emergent artists in the Middle East, embarked on an initial call to artists and designers to submit original works in progress under the theme Functional and Conceptual Design. Artists were challenged to provide interpretations of an exploration of the dynamics between natural and industrial elements inspired by the interplay between form, function and aesthetics. Over 70 submissions from all around the GCC were reviewed by the selection committee made up of experts in their field, including Alban Belloir, managing director Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India; Cyril Zammit, fair director of Design Days Dubai; Khalid Mezaina, project co-ordinator of Tashkeel; and Anabelle de Gersigny, strategy and partnership development manager of Tashkeel.
Parati was awarded AED 30,000 to fund the making of their final product, as well as a seven-day trip to Paris to attend L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels where tuition will be provided by creators of the timeless and exquisite creations of the Maison. L’ÉCOLE was founded in 2012 with the objective of unveiling the very secretive worlds of jewelry and watchmaking, and sharing the most precious asset of the Maison: its savoir-faire. He will also be among the privileged few to enter the universe of Van Cleef & Arpels workshops where the Mains d’Or™ resides, the master craftsmen who give form to the Maison’s most sophisticated High Jewelry creations.
The diversity of creative talent across the GCC is reflected in the caliber of submissions received for The Middle East Emergent Artist Prize. We look forward to sharing Ivan’s winning piece with a wider audience,” said Zammit.
Currently teaching in Ajman University of Science and Technology, Parati aims to create awareness of heritage with contemporary challenges. Crossing digital-fabrication with artisanal competence, Parati takes his inspiration from his travels. Taking elements from Islamic traditions, the piece reflects a metaphor for humanity: each piece can’t stand by itself but once arranged in group, a stable and functional configuration is achieved. The design consists of three elements, each with a different geometric layout that can resume a diversity of arrangements. Islamic traits are adopted in the design: the mosaic pattern grid which is projected into a contemporary aesthetic and function.
“It is truly an honor to be amongst such an incredible crowd of talents,” says Parati. “The last few editions I admired the work of the previous participants, and now I am fortunate enough to be apart of this year’s innovative project, and to be under the spotlight as a protagonist.”
Parati’s artwork will be displayed amongst the beautiful creations of Van Cleef & Arpels, exhibited at Design Days Dubai. The exhibition Timeless Design intertwines art and design with rare beauty in its display of High Jewelry creations and a rare selection from the Maison’s patrimony collection: Van Cleef & Arpels’ Collection.
For more information, visit www.designdaysdubai.ae
