Submission open for design proposals focused on the concept of renewal, with winner receiving a prestigious AED30,000 commission and trip to Paris to learn from master craftsmen
Dubai, UAE –: Van Cleef & Arpels, in partnership with Tashkeel, has opened the call for entries for the 9th edition of the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize, under the central theme of ‘Renewal’.
Since 2013, the French high jewellery Maison and the UAE-based art and design organisation have run the competition to nurture and promote emerging talent across the GCC and to create global awareness by highlighting the region’s best designs.
Emerging designers resident in GCC countries are invited to submit proposals for functional products with a design that incorporates the renewal elements of Spring, nature, creation and innovation. While designs may not include watches or jewellery pieces, past winning entries have ranged from décor items such a lounge chair, floor lamp and sculptural vessels, to a novel Bedouin-inspired baby cradle that could also be used to turn goat’s milk into cheese.
Choice of materials is critical this year as the theme of renewal highlights sustainability. Organisers have recommended the use of materials that are sourced locally, in an ethical manner, including those that are reused, recycled or recreated with minimal carbon footprint.
The designer behind the winning proposal will receive AED30,000 to produce her or his design during a 12-week period, with the final design piece showcased at Les Salons Van Cleef & Arpels Dubai Opera boutique. In addition, the winner receives a five-day trip to Paris to attend courses led by the acclaimed Mains d’Or, master craftsmen in high jewellery creation, at the exclusive L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, an institute dedicated to accentuating the methods behind the world of jewellery creation and watchmaking.
Entries to the competition will be judged on the following criteria: Interpretation of theme; originality; concept development; functionality; use of materials, techniques; production feasibility; final design resolution and aesthetics; and overall quality of submission. The jury comprises representatives of Tashkeel and Van Cleef & Arpels and independent judges, including interior architect, mentor and founder of 3N Jeddah Nawaf Nahar Al Nassar, a leading voice within the Saudi Arabia contemporary design sector.
Commenting on the prize announcement, Lisa Ball-Lechgar, Deputy Director of Tashkeel, said: “The wealth of creativity and design talent in our region is extraordinary and we are delighted to partner once again with Van Cleef & Arpels to bring this to the world’s attention, while also nurturing individual design talent. The quality of submissions from markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and wider Gulf region continues to impress us each year and it is so rewarding to see the vital role that this initiative has played in the careers of emerging creative professionals.”
Among the practitioners whose careers have flourished as a result of their winning entries are Vikram Divecha, who went on to represent the UAE at the 57th Venice Biennale and has been commissioned by Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Ranim Orouk, who has received numerous high-profile commissions and also participated in a Dubai Design Week exhibition in 2019.
Alessandro Maffi, Managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India, adds that this year’s competition resonates and reflects the company’s philosophy. “Throughout its history, Van Cleef & Arpels has consistently expressed its dedication to the cultural and artistic sphere, and partnering with Tashkeel to promote regional designers is an excellent example of this commitment. We are very excited about this year’s theme as, from our founding in 1906 to present day, the concept of renewal has been at the core of Van Cleef & Arpels’ design philosophy. Renewal leads to innovation, enabling our master craftsmen to discover new and beautiful ways to transmit the métiers d’art of our creations to the world. These artists are continuingly adapting and renewing techniques, and the vibrancy and new growth associated with Springtime are reflected in our workshops,” Mr. Alessandro says.
To qualify for entry, applicants must live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain and the deadline for submitting proposals is 22 May 2022. Applicants can find details on how to enter on Tashkeel’s website, tashkeel.org. There is also a bilingual presentation on the Tashkeel YouTube Channel.
Both of the partners in the Emergent Designers Prize also have additional initiatives aimed at supporting regional artists and designers. Van Cleef & Arpels supports dance and ballet with its Dubai Opera sponsorship and is a strategic partner of the Sharjah Art Biennale and 21,39 Jeddah Arts festival, and also offers annual calligraphy commissions for regional artists. Tashkeel’s initiatives include the Tanween 12-month design development program for gifted UAE-based designers, which is supported by the sale of the designs through the Tanween Collection. In addition, Tashkeel’s Tanween+ represents a regular call for concepts from UAE-based designers, while its MakeWorks UAE is an online directory delivering exposure to factories, makers, and material suppliers.