Sabine Marcelis Pays Homage to Dubai with Mirage

Dutch Industrial Designer Sabine Marcelis’ new collection, Mirage, inspired by Dubai and commissioned exclusively by Dubai-based collectible design gallery, Gallery COLLECTIONAL is an exploration into colour and light.

Referencing the duality of Dubai during the day and night, the colours of the works by Sabine Marcelis were inspired by the warm desert sun. The shimmering desert sun on a Sabine Marcelis captures the energy of nature and the vibrancy of urban life. As the shapes and colours shift and merge with their surroundings, these dualities harmonise in light and reflection and give the mirror a mysterious aura.

Gallery COLLECTIONAL that houses Sabine Marcelis’s new collection focuses on regional and global collectible design items amidst a curated selection of iconic design objects by some of the most respected designer brands across the globe.

Located in the Eden House complex in Dubai, the gallery explores the discourse between function and beauty by blurring the boundaries between art and design.

Gallery COLLECTIONAL’s curator, Catalina Ruiz-Urquiola says: “The gallery explores the discourse between function and beauty by blurring the boundaries between art and design. Our aim is to bring to the region some of the most prolific international designers through a physical gallery in which the pieces and their materiality can be experienced in person.”

“We also want to test the limits of design by commissioning new pieces, which challenge the designers and in effect present an evolution of their practice” adds Ruiz-Urquiola.

The inaugural show, ‘The Shape of Things to Come’, does just that, with the exclusive ‘Mirage’ commission from designer Sabine Marcelis.

Central to the exhibition and the Gallery is designer Marcelis’ new collection ‘Mirage’, which was inspired by Dubai and commissioned exclusively for the gallery. Whilst it’s a continuation of  Marcelis’ exploration into colour and light, it’s the first time Marcelis has worked with light within the mirror design. The two mirrors and the table that make up the collection represent the essence of Dubai as reflected through glass and light, inspired by the unique warm colours of the sun in the desert and the duality of the city during the day and night.

‘It was the perfect opportunity to experiment further with layered glass and mirror. Removing parts of the mirror to let the light peek through. The soft lines reflect those of the desert and the light represents the city coming alive at night. The object itself has a duality of on and off: day and night, just like Dubai does’ says Marcelis.

‘The whole process was very natural. Catalina gave me her full trust and the inspiration came very easily’ she adds.

Further commissions include pieces from Michael Anastassiades (UK), Dimoremilano (Italy), CC Tapis (Italy), Niko Koronis (Italy), Ewe Studio (Mexico), Agglomerati (UK), Pietro  Franceschini (USA/Italy), Nada Debs (Lebanon), Faina (Ukraine), Dante Goods & Bads (Germany), Pierre de Valck (Brussels), Alexander Lamont (Thailand) and many more.

Marcelis’ trademark is her exploration of the mutually beneficial relationship between materials and their subsequent interaction with light. Her creations demand an interaction with the space and user alike. This industrial designer is artfully carving her own way, strictly adhering to the original content.

Gallery COLLECTIONAL is part of the COLLECTIONAL brand, which also includes an online platform, linked here.  It features a hand-picked selection of the very best design, curated by the brand’s established team of design professionals and creatives.

All Pics Courtesy Gallery COLLECTIONAL

Rami Mansour shot the Mirage collection in the old neighborhood of Al Fahidi to commemorate Dubai’s humble beginnings and to celebrate the city which has inspired this whole collection.