Kenneth Surat

Last March I had a privilege to be invited to the opening night of Design Days Dubai (see link here). This really kicked my inspiration+ creative bone to a high.

With all the furniture (and art pieces) exhibited it feels like I am in what one part of my heaven map.

Compared to last year’s exhibition, this year focused on a more contemporary approach, which is not a bad thing (I just missed seeing some very expensive vintage pieces).

This is a very interesting design for a clock..this is called “clock clock” designed by Humans Since 1982 and currated by Victor Hunt. This unique approach for time management really got my attention. These are actually series of clocks placed together to create a bigger clock. I still cant grasp how this is working.

Another interesting piece is “Jari” by Jihoon Ha. This is a modular, repetitive sculptural piece that works brilliantly as a seat. Perfect I must say!

I also love this stringed art display. This are actual scaled furniture outlines stringed from the ceiling. Although you cannot really seat on them but they are brilliantly installed to create a real 3d sketch.

I cant help to watch how they are producing pearl (a bit brutal I must say—-poor oyster)

After seeing their work, I instantly became their number 1 fan. I want to ruin their partnership and turn it into trio! Studio Swine made my vision possible. What they are actually doing is what was planning to do after working here in Dubai and manage my own design studio. To know more about them visit their website here.

All in all my eyes were satisfied with the buffet of creativity displayed—and of course, I do have some favorite pieces..cant wait for next year’s event!

As a designer, I’ve been seeing a lot of designer furniture in the web and up close (I have even tried and sourced some of them for projects).

What I love about designer furniture is the story behind every piece. And also the story behind their designer/s.  I am dreaming (still in present tense) to be one of those great designers and have my own collection which people will see the value of craftsmanship and the story behind every detail.

With this said, I thought of posting every now and then furniture pieces which I find very interesting aside from being beautiful of course.

My first feature will be Eileen Gray’s Bibendum Chair.

Eileen Gray’s Bibendum Chair was one of the 20th century’s most recognized furniture design. It was designed for Madame Mathieu Levy, a boutique owner. This was part of her work when she was commissioned to re-design Mademe Mathieu Levy’s apartment in Paris.

Although seems over-sized, the two semi-circular padded tubes in leather makes this chair ideal for lounging and socializing.(I love it)

With its bold size and shape, this furniture became an instant masterpiece and was widely accepted in the market. Today, this chair can sell for an approximate of 2300 pounds. 

Sources:

www.artimeless.com

www.wikipedia.org

www.bbc.co.uk

One of my “neophyte days” events that I did was a grand wedding by an Indian couple in Phuket. It was a very festive event, with 5 days of parties and celebrations  and parties…and more parties, surely the guests really had fun (we had fun also).

One of the night party that was tasked to me was to create a cozy, warm (not that all out rave party) venue. A place where guests can really talk and chill-out with one another. I think the key word there was “chill-out”.

Our venue was the Banyan Cafe in the Banyan Tree Hotel. We played and got inspired with the orange and brown combination like an “Hermes” box. We painted the existing columns in tangerine and wrapped around a rich brown ribbon (wrapping those ribbons were a bit of a headache). We also played around with fabrics of the same motif and created a festive look from a plain resort type cafe.

This is the schematic sketch that I did for the main entrance area. We framed the existing buddha statue with fabrics and ribbons to create a vertical reference. For carpets, instead of red, we thought of using a bolder shade ——yes it is orange!

Here is a schematic sketch for the whole  venue.  We installed a dance floor and a DJ table. Also we created pocket areas for seating (lounge type)

The set-up was a bit nerve wracking, I started coordinating everything early in the morning with painting started a couple of days before, except for the dance floor. The weather was not participating also because it was cloudy with a bit of a drizzle. All in all we did it (Thank God)! It was awesome because we stayed true on what we have designed and it turned out pretty chic and classy.

It was a blessing to have worked with these lovely folks. I learned a lot for my first big event gig. After this, I did a lot of events but I must say, this team has a big place in my heart.

After Design Days, I now received a VIP Ticket for Art Dubai! I love it! I always wanted to visit this event, sadly I was only able to visit last 2010, and i really loved all the artwork that was displayed.

This year, as the Art Community continues to grow in this region, I am very excited to see what are the amazing art pieces that will be exhibited. 

To know more about this event, you can visit their website : http://artdubai.ae

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Info from Art Dubai Website:

“Over the last six years, Art Dubai, the leading international art fair in the MENASA (Middle East/North Africa/South Asia), has become a cornerstone of the region’s booming contemporary art community. In 2012, Art Dubai welcomed 22,500 visitors – including 75 international museums groups – and hosted 75 galleries from 32 countries.
 
The seventh edition of Art Dubai takes place March 20-23, 2013, at Madinat Jumeirah. Besides the gallery halls, the fair’s extensive programme will include commissionedprojects and performances, artists’ and curators’residencies, educational workshops, the unveiling of works by the winners of the annual The Abraaj Group Art Prize and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.
 
Art Dubai is part of Art Week, an umbrella initiative that highlights the plethora of exhibitions, projects and events that now coincide with the fair each March, the most dynamic time in the UAE’s cultural calendar. Special events include Design Days Dubai, the only fair in Asia dedicated to product and furniture design; Sikka, the fair run by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and dedicated to new work by UAE-based artists; and Galleries Nights, featuring 40 new exhibitions across Al Quoz and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC); plus other projects, museum shows and major events throughout the Emirates, Qatar and the Gulf.”

ART DUBAI FAIR SCHEDULE 

 
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20*

*(by invitation only besides Art Dubai Ladies’ Day and the Global Art Forum_7)

11.00 - 14.00Art Dubai Ladies’ Day  11.30 - 12.30Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10; women only)  14.00 - 17.30Global Art Forum_7  16.00 - 21.30

Art Dubai Opening Night

  17.00Tour: Art Dubai Projects  17.30

Book Launch: Slavs & Tatars, ‘Friendship of Nations: Polish Shi’ite Showbiz’

  18.00 - 18.30Tour: The Abraaj Group Art Prize, ‘extra | ordinary’  18.00 - 18.30Tour: Marker  18.30

Book Launch: ‘MinD - Body’

   Performance: Joe Namy, ‘Half Step’  19.00Tour: Sculpture on the Beach  20.00 - 01.00Absolut Art Nights, Mina A’Salam Beach  

THURSDAY MARCH 21

14.00 - 17.30Global Art Forum_7  16.00 - 21.30Art Dubai Public Day  16.00Book Launch: Yola Bahnassi, ‘On the Banks of Geniuses: The First Harbor – Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’  17.00 Tour: Art Dubai Projects  17.00 - 18.00

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  17.30 - 18.00Book Launch: ‘Youssef Nabil’  17.30 - 18.30Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program  Discovery Tour  18.00 - 18.30Tour: Marker  18.00 - 18.30Tour: The Abraaj Group Art Prize, ‘extra | ordinary’  18.30 - 19.30

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  18.30 - 20.00

Book Launch and Panel Discussion:

The Abraaj Group Art Prize, ’extra | ordinary’ 

  19.00Tour: Sculpture on the Beach  20.00 - 01.00Absolut Art Nights, Mina A’Salam Beach

FRIDAY MARCH 22

12.00 - 19.30Art Dubai Public Day  14.00 - 15.00

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  14.00 - 17.00Global Art Forum_7  14.30 - 15.30Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program Discovery Tour (Ages 10 - 14)  15.30 - 16.30

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  16.00 - 17.00Discovery Tour (Ages 5 - 10)  16.00Tour: Art Dubai Projects  17.00 - 17.30Tour: Marker  17.00 - 18.00

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  17.30 - 18.30Discovery Tour (Ages 10 - 14)  17.30Tour: Sculpture on the Beach  17.30 - 18.00

Book Launch: Manal Al Dowayan, ‘If I Forget You, Don’t Forget Me’

  18.00 - 18.30Tour: The Abraaj Group Art Prize, ‘extra | ordinary’  18.30 - 19.30

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

SATURDAY MARCH 23

12.00 - 17.30Art Dubai Public Day  13.00 - 14.00

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  13.30 - 14.30Discovery Tour (Ages 10 - 14)  14.00 - 17.00Global Art Forum_7  14.30 - 15.30

Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  15.00 - 16.00 Discovery Tour (Ages 10 - 14)  16.00 - 17.00

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

  16.00Tour: Sculpture on the Beach  16.30 - 17.30Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program Discovery Tour (Ages 10 - 14)  17.30 - 18.30

Shadow Puppet Workshop (Ages 5 - 10)

Got my invitation for Design Days! YEY! I can’t wait! Last year I was able to come and got really inspired with most of the featured exhibits, this year, we got an invite for the preview—-SWEET

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Here are some information from their website:

Design Days Dubai is the first fair in the Middle East and South Asia dedicated to collectible and limited edition furniture and design objects. Our goal is to present, both regional and internationally, the best of design to collectors and a wide audience of design enthusiasts.

Through strong cooperation with local partners and a diverse educational programme, we aim to strengthen greater appreciation and understanding for design as a form of applied arts. Design Days Dubai encourages the involvement of emerging talent from the region and acts as focal point for the global design and art community, while becoming a vibrant addition to the region’s cultural scene.

We aim to

• become one of the world’s leading design fairs.
• provide a platform to engage regional and international design initiatives.
• promote emerging local talent.
• encourage a wide audience through a diverse educational programme.
• liaise with strong cultural partners like Art Dubai.
• maintain excellence in organization and performance.

The second edition of Design Days Dubai takes place from 18 to 21 March 2013.

“You can’t escape the past in Paris, and yet what’s so wonderful about it is that the past and present intermingle so intangibly that it doesn’t seem to burden”. -Allen Ginsberg

Paris is indeed one of “the” traveler’s dream destinations. I’ve been waiting for this day ever since I saw a clip of the Eiffel Tower lit proudly in one of the city’s New Year’s Celebrations (I think I was in grade school back then).

I took a Gulf Air flight connecting from Dubai to Kuwait to Paris (Charles De Gaulle Airport). The flight was smooth and I was already dreaming of doing some outfit photographs in the most fashionable city in the world. Paris made packing my clothes very challenging. I was thinking of having an outfit for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles and an outfit just to roam around.

 ——and SURPRISE SURPRISE—my baggage was declared lost upon our arrival in Paris CDG.

 I love God’s sense of humor.  Initially I got worried, but at some point, I actually didn’t mind. I just wanted to get out of the airport and see PARIS! ! – reporting about my lost baggage caused me more or less an hour from my intended arrival to meet the owner of the house where I will be staying (good thing he’s a pastor ^^) . So I left the airport hoping that my bag will turn out in the afternoon or maximum the next day —-I got my bag after 5 days (oops)

So here are some of the things that I learned from my short and sweet backpacking adventure in Paris—and some side stories. ^^

Always start your tour by getting as much resources a possible. A handy dandy map (look for an English one of course) and some Ctiy Guide brochures  to know what the city is currently offering.

Learning how to commute is really helpful. Paris is really commuter friendly, with a metro station (Metropolitain) in every corner, you can really find your way around. The tricky part is, there are 14 (i think) metro lines in Paris, so  you better get the hang of it before you can be a pro (I was able to—so you can also).

To know more about their subway system check out this helpful guide:http://www.paris.com/tourism/getting_around/metro

The first landmark that I saw was the Arc de Triomphe. It was indeed “wow”. My house was near this place—in fact, it was just a 10 min. walk.

With the help of Ate Annie (she’s the Aunt of my friend back in Dubai) I realized that the Eiffel Tower was just a few walks away from where I was staying (just walk opposite from the Arc).

 When I first saw the Eiffel Tower, I forgot that I lost my baggage in the airport. I can stare at it for hours and hours!

As an artist, the Louvre was at the top of my priority list. They do offer a Museum Pass where you can go to every museum in Paris w/o lining up and no limit (w/in a period of days). I was about to avail this, but because I was visiting during the first Sunday of the month, they advised me not to buy because —most public Museums are free every first Sunday, then Mondays they are closed. (I will do a separate post on the Louvre soon)

The Seine River Paris

This was my first Disney Land Visit ever! So I was a happy traveler! The happiest place to be! I only wish I was with my nieces.

What I wore: 21 Men maroon long sleeved shirt, Topman peach striped  round neck t-shirt, Topman khaki shorts (I wore this pants for 3 days while waiting for my bag—then decided to buy new pants for my trip, for shirts,I started buying souvenir shirts and used them while I waited)

Notre Dame Cathedral

The Moulin Rouge. Makes me wanna sing—hey sister go…sister..

The marvelous Chateau de Versailles. My experience here was magnificent and surely deserves a separate blog! One of my most memorable Paris destination.

My trip became really awesome because of the people I met. They said that people in Paris are all snob and arrogant but I must say they were the opposite based on my experience.

I met a number of kakabayans who really stretched their Filipino hospitality to me. Ate Annie helped me a lot to know the basics, specially commuting. Also, she and her sister gave me basic toiletries that needed to survive while waiting for my bag to be found.

Pastor Vir (wearing the vest). I didn’t get a chance to have a photo taken with him because both of our schedules were not really working together, so I asked Ate Aimee (who made a way for us to meet) to send me a photo of him. He was very generous to offer his studio for me to stay in. (free house! yey)

The Beranger family! I met them in Versailles. They were touring also and they adopted me for the day! I love this family and now I became good friends with the youngsters!

Paris is really a great city. The culture, the art and the people are just oozing with color. There are still  a lot of places that I haven’t visited and things I haven’t done—that is why I will be back very very soon!

merci beaucoup

I am happy to start painting again woohooot, i always tell myself to paint again but it never happened, that’s why i want to share my FIRST ever watercolor artwork here in DUBAI….

medium: watercolor on watercolor paper




After the vision casting Friday, although very tired i decided to open my watercolor and start painting….and i cant stop!!!..



I cant wait for another one!!..