Kart Group to unveil an unparalleled art installation that celebrates HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s journey of leadership and supports future designers

“The Leader” will be revealed during the fifth annual Dubai Design Week, which, this year, allows designers to redefine and reimagine the world and engage with creative communities to produce contextually relevant work. 2020 has been full of unforeseen challenges; Kart’s celebration of leadership is timely and vital.

Kart Group is a leading interior design advisory firm who boast respected clients such as government entities, cultural institutions and corporate partners in the United Arab Emirates and across the Middle East. They have an extraordinary ability to seamlessly translate their client’s briefs into spectacular and unique environments. Their creativity is multifaceted and has a great reach beyond the confines of interiors.

Kart Group celebrates milestone occasions with innovative visual art installations. Dubai Design Week 2020 sees the unveiling of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ‘The Leader’. The experimental and interactive three-dimensional art installation showcases a giant silhouette of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.

‘The Leader’ is a commemorative admiration of HH Sheikh Mohammed and his inspired leadership of the eclectic population of the United Arab Emirates. The sculpture virtually guides onlookers through his journey of accomplishment, diversity, and ordeals. ‘The Leader’ progresses into an optimistic future through an ‘ewan’ style space. HH Sheikh Mohammed has a down-to-earth relationship with the people of Dubai. The vibrant culture of the city attracts residents and visitors from around the world, and this sculpture pays homage to a remarkable man.

The inspired Kart team brainstormed the various factors and pressures of being a leader. The concept was to create a complex and multi-layered inverted sculpture that possesses a powerful visual impact whilst remaining minimalistic. The space inside the cube provides a sphere in which a white cementitious paint finish ornaments layered cut out Styrofoam. The textured veneer gives weight to the otherwise light-weight and voluminous sculpture. Concise internal layering creates an aureole around the silhouette of His Highness, representing his revered leadership glory.

Creativity has no borders and speaks to everyone. The artwork installations will be positioned across the city, which will enrich an already creative vibrancy and raise the community’s connection with art. The sculpture will convey a message, through art, of hope and prosperity despite the effects of the global pandemic. The distinctive three-finger salute expresses his approach to the country -winning, victory, and love, which symbolizes his work ethic, success, and the love of the nation.

Mohammad Abdullah, President of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, explained “design matters more than ever. As markets around the world confront the realities of these extraordinary times, a plethora of industries faces not only challenges but also unique opportunities for change and transformation”.

D3 is part of the Dubai Plan and uses Smart City principles which offer digital connectivity to create an innovation-led economy. The 2020 Dubai Design Week underpins the city’s stance and position as the regional capital of design. Outstanding talents from the UAE, throughout the wider region, and across the world show extraordinary vision through installations, exhibitions, experiences, and workshops that promote a smorgasbord of design interests.

Khamash says of the design “The concept beckons spectators into the layered cut-out panels to discover the light and shadows that make up the journey of leadership. The famous words of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are inscribed into the mirror inlay to inspire every visitor”.

The Kart Group will use the proceeds of the sale to encourage talented students across the Emirates and provide scholarships for courses at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI). The initiative will provide a preparatory platform for young, creative people in the UAE to command the future of global design.

The collaboration between Dubai Culture and the Kart Group will keenly support the advancement of emergent design talent. It will underwrite the vision for a knowledge-based economy and highlight the importance of education the various design fields. Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation helps students and graduates develop future-proof skills by melding visual literacy, strategic competence and digital articulacy and will position the city as a centre for art and culture. Dubai is a thriving hub for talent and creativity.