Tashkeel is presenting the latest sustainable product outcomes of its Tanween design programme at Downtown Editions, Downtown Design’s boutique showcase for limited edition design, as part of its Tanween by Tashkeel 2021 programme. Six participants will showcase their work during the fair, four of whom will make their commercial debut, including Eman Shafiq, Nuhayr Zein Elmessalami, Tasnim Tinawi and Khawla Mohammed Al Balushi.
‘Tanween by Tashkeel’ nurtures the UAE design aesthetic through a range of commercially available, limited-edition pieces inspired by, designed and manufactured in the UAE. These furniture and lighting pieces integrate traditional crafts and contemporary design practice, often using innovative applications of traditional materials and techniques that are integral to the UAE identity.
Visitors to Downtown Design can experience and place orders for design pieces including the Kapok series chair and footrest by Tasnim Tinawi, Taht Al Ghaf lights by Khawla Al Balooshi, the Sehra cabinet by Eman Shafiq, and the SEEDS series ottoman/table and bag by Nuhayr Zein, as well as the Yereed by Lina Ghalib, Liminal series table by Hala Al Ani and Katta by Yara Habib.
“While Tashkeel contributes to the development of the UAE design sector year-round through our projects, programmes and online platform, November is when our commitment to design and the work of both emerging and established designers takes centre stage,” says Lisa Ball-Lechgar, Deputy Director of Tashkeel.
A number of these designers will participate in talks at Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design alongside Ball-Lechgar, discussing their experiences in developing sustainable materials for their practice, the process of designing and producing their pieces in the Emirates as well as the future of design education in the UAE.
Since its inception, the programme has trained 26 designers and manufactured 39 limited-edition furniture and lighting pieces.