Review: Dubai Design Week 2016

Abwab: Palestine Pavilion - Mass Imperfections | © Hind Mezaina

The second edition of Dubai Design Week took place between 24th-29th October. I wasn't in town for the inaugural edition last year, so was eager to check its second edition.

It was heavily promoted with an emphasis on the the biggest Global Grad Showshowcasing groundbreaking projects from design schools around the world, Abwab, series of six pavilions built to celebrate and showcase the work by designers, studios and curators from Algeria, Bahrain, India, Iraq, Palestine, United Arab Emirates and Iconic City: Cairo Now! City Incomplete.

There were also several commissioned installations, a series of talks and workshops, plus design related exhibitions and events across the city.

My podcast partner Wael Hattar and I recorded an epsiode for our Tea With Culture podcast sharing our thoughts on the fair and reviewing some the work we saw. We also discussed the role of the festival, its impact and some of the missed opportunities by spreading itself all over the citiy.

Please have a listen to our podcast and below it are photos and tweets I shared on Twitter Moments. Did you take part/visit the festival? Let me know what were your impressions.