semi permanent launches its first-ever middle east festival in abu dhabi

the design festival runs in abu dhabi as part of the inaugural collectors week

set to host an array of global talent from design and retail to branding, fashion, and technology, semi permanent launches its first-ever middle east festival in  abu dhabi. running at cultural district manarat al saadiyat, the full line-up for the inaugural creativity and design event is unveiled. from a DJ performance by world-renowned grammy and oscar winner mark ronson to immersive experiences and exhibitions of works by leading contemporary artists, the ‘bridges’ themed fair is bound to fortify the connections between industry peers and a complex matrix of worldwide consumers. 

to get immersed into the exclusive installations from 14-16 october, 2021 get your ticket here! 

(above) moroccan self-taught photographer ismail zaidy captures his works through his phone

(banner) ismail zaidy shares his work as a means to celebrate these unique, poetic aspects of his culture
all images courtesy of semi permanent middle east

globally renowned multi-disciplinary experience company semi permanent has been delivering events spanning consumer interactions from curation and art direction to digital and physical productions. in collaboration with the department of culture and tourism (DCT) and retail abu dhabi, the southern hemisphere’s biggest design festival becomes reality. 

‘our strategic partnership with semi permanent will unite a who’s who of international talent and cutting-edge powerhouses from across the world’s creative landscape, right here in abu dhabi. this exciting new addition to abu dhabi’s increasingly diverse events calendar underlines the emirate’s role as both an enabler and a beacon of innovation for the regional design, business and creative industries,’ says HE ali hassan al shaiba, executive director of tourism and marketing at DCT abu dhabi. 

amongst the many works, each year, semi permanent also commissions the creation of a new design identity with 2021 being designed in collaboration with acclaimed studio perron-roettinger. in the annual theme ‘bridges’,  designer brian roettinger creates a whole different headspace. through the custom font and gradient treatment, similarities, differences and patterns become really clear, allowing anyone to enter an inspiring dimension that is cohesive, corrosive, occasionally challenging, but beautiful.

oana stanescu’s pool light installation in new york, photo by iwan baan

local and international artists are part of the semi permanent stellar line-up 

through keynote talks, panels, workshops and experiences, the world’s brightest names in the creative business and technology showcase how to build ‘bridges’ for collaborations as well as emphasize game-changing work across the design ecosystem. local artists like dana hourani, les benjamins founder and director bünyamin aydin and photographer hussain almoosawi accompany the stellar international assemble. to add to the event’s rich program, works by US-based artists kahlil joseph, ryan mcginley and johanna jackson elevate the contemporary vibes, while the first international pop-up by new york restaurant and bar ‘the flower shop’ marks its presence. to tie it all together, turkish-american media artist refik anadol showcases an all-encompassing LED driven artwork. 

‘semi permanent’s entry into the middle east is marked with a singularly standout line-up. after a turbulent and distant 18 months, to be bringing together such a vast array of talent from the middle east and around the world is very special and will make for an incredibly memorable experience,’ adds murray bell, the company’s founder and executive creative director.

emirati multidisciplinary creative hussain almoosawi is on a quest to rediscover the UAE’s urban landscapes

italian-sri lankan couturier and artist andrea brocca engages in fashion architecture, constructing surrealist designs blurring the line between sculpture and fashion

obsessed with texture, pattern and color, australian verhaal architecture and interior studio is founded by neydine bak and dewald struwig

festival info:

name: bridges

hosts: semi permanent, department of culture and tourism, retail abu dhabi

date: 14 – 16 october, 2021 

location: manarat al saadiyat, abu dhabi

1/14

refik anadol

bunyamin aydin

tarik zaharna

johanna jackson + chris johanson

brian roettinger

tom sachs

haydenshapes

flower shop NYC

house of artisans

andrea brocca

hussain almoosawi

ismail zaidy

lucy folk

nourie flayhan