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Gold seats, flying chairs and other fantastic pieces

Dubai - Whether or not you would shell out Dh88,147 for an oversized crystal chair suspended in midair, head to Design Days Dubai in the coming week to have your eyes pop

Design Days Dubai, now in its sixth edition, is starting soon. This is the leading fair in the Middle East and South Asia for collectibles and limited edition furniture and design objects. There are over 50 participants and 20 exhibitors from the UAE. Also participants from Brazil, Pakistan, India, Italy and the Netherlands. In previous years, regional designers such as Aljoud Lootah and Ammar Kalo have had their pieces selected for the permanent collections at prominent museums. So even if they're out of budget (prices range from US$500 to upwards of US$75,000), you should go check out these objects of desire. Here are five of the especially stunning ones.
March14-17 at Dubai Design District.
Tickets on bit.ly/2mFhWTR for Dh25.
sujata@khaleejtimes.com
Sujata is our fashion editor. She makes it her business to stay on trend
Reverie 
GÉRALD VATRIN

Price: On request
A blown-glass sculpture whose curves and ridges are plaited with genuine leather. It is regal yet futuristic and feels like it came from another planet. The designer, Gérald Vatrin, is known to have a deep understanding of art history, with glass being his favoured riverfront city, Nancy.
Gold Origami Chair 
Philip Michael Wolfson
Limited edition of 8

Price: US$30,000
One of the important and early works in the Origami series by Michael Wolfson. In this collection, he looks at abstraction, and the folding and layering of different materials. This chair is made of welded and folded sheet steel with 24K gold leaf. Philip Michael Wolfson is an American designer with a studio in London. He was mentored by Zaha Hadid. You can find his work in the collections of collections including the Soane Museum (London), the Victoria & Albert Museum (London), The Foundation Cartier (Paris), the Museum of Art & Design (New York) and the Price Tower Arts Center (Bartlesville).
Coriolis 
Michael Rice

Price: US$1000
An archetypal sculptural ceramic it is about harmony, balance and simplicity. What makes it special is that it was made by hand in the UAE. Its metallic finish is a result of subtle nuances in the firing techniques. Michael Rice is a Dubai-based Irish designer and artist, who specialises in ceramics and glass. Last year, he won the Van Cleef and Arpels Middle East Emergent Designer Award at Design Days Dubai. Michael is also an associate professor of studio art in the visual communication department of the American University in Dubai.
The Flying Chair
Geraldine Gonzalez

This is probably the piece de resistance. A fairy-tale like, oversized suspended chair made out of plated nickel structure crystals, and LED lights. It's designed by French sculpture and lighting designer Geraldine Gonzalez, who started her career as a shoe designer. She loves to work with crystal, metals, light, and other interesting materials. Her most recent creations feel like they belong in an enchanted forest.
The Kratos Consule 
Vick Vanlian

Price: US$7,000
Inspired by classic Greek mythology and sculptures, this console evokes Kratos, the god of power, strength and movement. The console reminds us to keep moving forward and to not forget our dreams. It speaks of destiny. Resin cast legs grab your attention and the section above is made of painted steel and lacquered wood. Vick Vanlian, one of Beirut's best known designers, is influenced by pop-culture. Keep an eye on him - he's gaining recognition in European markets.
 

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