Zaha Hadid At The Leila Heller Gallery In Dubai
Celebration of a stunning new presentation in the UAE took place last night for the British-Iraqi architect and designer
Following a series of solo exhibitions at some of the art world’s most renowned galleries, Dame Zaha Hadid made her entry into Dubai’s ever-growing contemporary art scene last night at the Leila Heller Gallery, Al Serkal Avenue. In attendance was owner of the gallery, Leila Heller, who was joined by a number of esteemed guests including the likes of May Barberer, Darrin De-Grads and Maria Bagnara, who were amongst the first to bear witness to Hadid’s artistic assassination of classical Cartesian geometry. The exhibition showcases Hadid’s ability to transform an otherwise static realm of domestic furniture and jewellery into a dynamic, yet pragmatic work of art.
No stranger to the intersection of architecture and nature, Hadid’s transparent, acrylic furniture includes curved shapes that mimic the forms of melting, glacial ice. From a number of pieces that emphasize the concept of fluidity, one of the artworks that stand out in particular is the trio of blue tinted stools. Evoking the appearance of rippled water frozen in time, the stools project milled patterns onto clear surfaces which allow the refraction of light to move through the material and create dappled shadows. Another piece which embodies Hadid’s pursuit of surface complexity is the Liquid Glacial Table; a translucent table whose fluid dynamism does not compromise functionality. With each piece, viewers become better acquainted with Hadid’s motives: to give new meaning to the domestic universe and draw inspiration from natural forms and shapes. In a nod to surreal romanticism, Hadid stays true to her post-modern notions of space whilst exhibiting a firm understanding of craftsmanship. Along with a number of architectural masterpieces, the collection also exhibits the intimate structures of Hadid’s Silene and Z-series Jewellery lines, both of which complement the overall theme of the aesthetic fluidity and complex natural form.
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Hadid’s work in this collection clearly proposes that the integrity of dimension is solely a fragment of one’s imagination. By pushing the boundaries of materiality and challenging the notions of space, she effortlessly breaks every rule in the book in the name of contemporary, creative sophistication. — Tanika D’Souza
Zaha Hadid runs until February 29. Scroll through the gallery above to see more images from the opening night.