< PreviousEditor’s here have been transformative moments this year. From the fi rst female vice president-elect in American history, to the impact of the global Black Lives Matter movement, from the swift collaboration between countries in the race to secure a vaccine, to the musicians who performed from their balconies in Italy to keep morale up, bringing to life the words of Italian composer Rossini who once said, “The language of music is understood by everybody, since it is understood with the heart.” Yet woven amongst better moments, there lies the tragedy of Beirut. Of George Floyd amongst too many others. The unthinkable sad farewells through iPads during lockdown, for loved ones in hospitals. Jobs destroyed. Food security at risk. The art world, contracted and displaced, has nonetheless found a way to come together and forge an online community, to play its part in bearing witness, supporting and initiating new possibilities for societies across the world, against the tumultuous landscape of these times. H.E. Noura Al Kaabi highlights the UAE’s important conservation work with UNESCO in Iraq (Page 90). A certain inimitable, wonderful art collector I know (Page 128), opens his home and collection for these pages. Simon Njami, one of the most poetic thinkers I have met in recent years, contributes to this issue (Page 125). Rose Lejeune discusses performance art (Page 154) and Maya El Khalil sheds light on three brilliant emerging artists who have created new works for Abu Dhabi Art (Page 94). So now I invite readers to slow down in their moment of reading this issue. I turn to the words of Simon Njami about the artist Richard Atugonza’s beautiful sculptures made from reclaimed waste, partially formed, yet pensive and lovely as a Rodin. Of Richard’s work he opined, “One can wonder if these works convey disappearance or appearance and this ambiguity is up to us, we can either be positive and be in the becoming or we can be negative and be in the disappearance.” I know which direction I hope to take as we reach the close of 2020. I end this note with a few lines from Paul Celan: It is time the stone made an effort to fl ower, time unrest had a beating heart. It is time it were time. It is time. I once read, we thought heaven is a place where we are supposed to go, perhaps it was a state of mind we were supposed to achieve. As the year of great change nears an end, artists and designers alike are bringing to light just how crucial the notions of identity, memory and time are for creative expression (Page 120), voicing, that we do not need to wait for the dust to settle to start living. New digital art movements have emerged and homes the world over have undergone drastic makeovers fuelled by the events unfolding before our eyes. Interior designer Miri Najarian Khayat’s whimsical, art-fi lled apartment in Dubai graces the cover (Page 58), reminding us of the joy in the world which we just need to look for to see. A treasure trove of memories, stories and artworks by Gustav Likan (who you may know as the father of acrylics), Cécile Plaisance and Matt Crump, to name a few, the space is a bold, playful collection of herself. Another such example, beautifully portraying the society, culture and history of the Middle East, is the home of collector and Minister of State, H.E. Zaki Nusseibeh (Page 128) which chronicles the shifting social and political landscape of the MENASA region through an extensive collection of modern and contemporary works. He says, “People who are impacted or moved by the art that they see, cannot but feel some sort of empathy toward other human beings.” I couldn’t agree more. And at a time when humanity is left vulnerable and the future remains anxiously uncertain, the social responsibility of art cannot be overlooked. Pioneering Syrian expressionist Louay Kayali, Palestinian visual artist Hazem Harb and Saudi artist Manal Al Dowayan are a few names featured within the collector’s traditional Middle Eastern abode, handpicked over the last half-century. Having garnered around 400 artworks, the home evokes wonder, nodding to what once was, what will become, and what will always just exist as a fragment of imagination. I hope you will be inspired to question the world, to uncloak mysteries, to pause and to fall in love with history and possibility. For, as these pages reveal, it is through creativity and curiosity that a greater tomorrow will blossom. DHS25 BHD 2.5 KWD2 OMR2.5 SAR30 LBP 20,000 INCLUSIVE OF VAT ISSUE 48 DHS25 WINTER 2020 Guest Editor DYALA NUSSEIBEH ON THE BEAUTY OF SLOW LIVING ISSUE THE ISSN 2220- 3257 9 772220 325003 48 ON THE COVER An interior view of Miri Najarian Khayat’s colourful art-fi lled Dubai apartment. Photo by Aasiya Jagadeesh AYESHA S. SHEHMIR DEPUTY EDITOR @ayeshasohail_ DYALA NUSSEIBEH FAIR DIRECTOR, ABU DHABI ART PAUSE F OR THOUGHT Right, from top: Richard Atugonza. Imperfection perfections 3. 2020. Polyethylene terephthalate cast sculpture. Courtesy of the artist; Chioma Ebinama. Penumbras 24. 2018. Sumi ink and watercolour on cotton rag paper. Courtesy of Catinca Tabacaru Gallery LETTER 10 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 HBI_048_010_Eds Letter_11441833.indd 1030/11/2020 10:12:35 AMFrom exclusive interviews with prolifi c industry leaders, to pioneering names that are prompting us to see the world around us in new ways through a design that bridges culture and art, Harper’s Bazaar Interiors is your ultimate guide to luxury living. Follow @HarpersBazaarInteriors on Instagram to keep up to date on the design- led stories from the region and beyond. Social NE T WOR K From exclusive interviews with prolifi c industry leaders, to pioneering names that are prompting us to see the world around us in new ways through a design that bridges culture and art, Harper’s Bazaar Interiors is your ultimate guide to luxury living. Follow @HarpersBazaarInteriors on Instagram to keep up to date on the design-led stories from the region and beyond. Soci a l NE T WOR K HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors HBA_035_xx_HouseAd Interiors.indd 104/10/2020 07:26:02 PM12 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES TEL: +971 (0)44443383 EMAIL: AYESHA.SOHAIL@ITP.COM ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO ALI AKAWI MANAGING DIRECTOR SUE HOLT GENERAL MANAGER MARNE SCHWARTZ ITP GROUP CEO ALI AKAWI CFO TOBY JAY SPENCER-DAVIES CREATIVE SOLUTIONS PROJECT MANAGERS RULA TAYARA AND RAVI SAMANI COORDINATOR JOHANA DANA ADVERTISING GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR FARRAH TAYLOR FARRAH.TAYLOR@ITP.COM / 050 151 1575 SENIOR ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER RABAB HASAN RABAB.HASAN@ITP.COM / 050 854 8062 MARKETING & CIRCULATION DISTRIBUTION & WAREHOUSE MANAGER PRAVEEN NAIR PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION GROUP PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR KYLE SMITH PRODUCTION MANAGER DENNY KOLLANNOOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR GIJO THOMAS ITP PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT IMAGE EDITOR JEMIMA JOY SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS EFRAIM EVIDOR, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS LESTER APUNTAR, AASIYA JAGADEESH, AJITH NARENDRA, FRITZ ASURO, JESS SAMSON HEARST MAGAZINES INTERNATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/CFO AND GENERAL MANAGER SIMON HORNE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING DIRECTOR JEANNETTE CHANG SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR KIM ST CLAIR BODDEN FASHION AND ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR KRISTEN INGERSOLL EXECUTIVE EDITOR ELEONORE MARCHAND INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS EDITOR BRUNI PADILLA EDITOR IN CHIEF OLIVIA PHILLIPS DEPUTY EDITOR AYESHA S. SHEHMIR ART DIRECTOR RITA GHANTOUS EDITORIAL INTERN ATHWIFA SALEEM, MALOBI OLELE AND VERONICA CARPIO DIGITAL EDITOR LAURA KELL ARABIC EDITOR KHULOOD AHMED CONTRIBUTORS ODELIA MATHEWS, ROSALIND ERSKINE, LAURA BEANEY, IMAN VAKIL, JEAN GROGAN GENERAL EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES TEL: +971 (0) 4 444 3000 EMAIL: HARPERSBAZAARINTERIORS@ITP.COM INTERNATIONAL EDITORS IN CHIEF ARGENTINA ANA TORREJON AUSTRALIA KELLIE HUSH BRAZIL CAMILA GARCIA CHINA SIMONA SHA CZECH REPUBLIC BARBARA NESVADBOVA GERMANY MARGIT J. MAYER GREECE EVA NISIOTI HONG KONG XAVEN MAK INDIA NONITA KALRA INDONESIA RIA LIRUNGAN JAPAN KAORI TSUKAMOTO KAZAKHSTAN KARINA UTEGENOVA KOREA HYESOO PARK LATIN AMERICA ADMA KAWAGE MALAYSIA NATASHA KRAAL NETHERLANDS CÉCILE NARINX POLAND JOANNA GORA ROMANIA ANDREI IOVU RUSSIA DARIA VELEDEEVA SINGAPORE KENNETH GOH SPAIN ANDRÉS RODRÍGUEZ TAIWAN ELAINE LIAO THAILAND DUANG POSHYANONDA TURKEY GULEN YELMEN UKRAINE ANNA ZEMSKOVA UNITED KINGDOM JUSTINE PICARDIE UNITED STATES GLENDA BAILEY VIETNAM VENUS TRAN HUONG The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Published and distributed monthly by Licensee ITP Consumer by permission of Hearst Communications Inc, New York, United States of America. Right: Forever Is Now 2021: Art D’Égypte’s fi rst international exhibition at the Pyramids of Giza and Plateau Published by ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC © 2020 © 2020 by Hearst Communications Inc. HBI_048_012-013_Masthead_11441832.indd 1229/11/2020 01:12:51 PM13 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 Maï mouna Guerresi. Grey Trampoline. 2016. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim Gallery HBI_048_012-013_Masthead_11441832.indd 1329/11/2020 01:12:58 PM14 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 Amara Spherical leaf glass vase in green and brass, Bloomingville, Dhs197 THE LIST 16 Editor’s Choice 19 The List THE LATEST 26 24 Hours With Anna Rabinowicz 28 Small Pleasures 30 Perfectly Imperfect 31 Casual Expressions 32 Carpet Art 34 Understated Luxury 36 Vintage Revamp 38 Art Of Beauty 40 In Pursuit Of Tomes 42 Haute Home 43 Still Swirling 44 Gifting Special DESIGN FOCUS 48 Future Of Design 52 A Traveller’s Home THE FEATURES 54 Shades Of Luxury 56 In Pursuit Of Timelessness 58 Life In Colour: Miri Najarian Khayat 64 Neutral Territory: Nadya Hasan THE LIFESTYLE 70 Land And Sea 74 Top Tables THE ESCAPE 76 Escape News 78 Design DNA ART, THE NEWS 81 Refi k Anadol’s New Work 82 La Biennale di Venezia 2022 83 Art Dubai’s New Regional Director 84 Tarek Atoui’s New Solo Show WINTER 2020 HBI_048_014-015_Contents_11441845.indd 1429/11/2020 07:01:05 PM15 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 IN CONVERSATION 86 Future Talks: Laila Binbrek 90 Ancient & Modern Culture: Noura Al Kaabi 94 Distortions Of Time: Maya El Khalil 98 Flow Within: Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar THE ARTIST 104 Tales Of Our Times 108 Mixed Emotions 112 Breaking Out Of The Frame THE GALLERY 116 Awed By Africa SPECIAL FEATURE 120 A Virtual Affair 125 Time Has Gone Out Of Joint 126 Artist To Watch THE COLLECTOR 128 Art & Humanity LA PHOTOGRAPHIE 136 Spiritual Bodies 140 Case In Point THE PREVIEW 144 Three Generations Speak STUDIO VISIT 148 A Slice Of Vietnam TALKING ART 152 If Art Could Speak, What Would It Say? 154 Last Look Lalique Pink Sakura vase, POA Noble Isle Pinewood candle, Dhs202 Houseology Pink velvet chair, POA HBI_048_014-015_Contents_11441845.indd 1529/11/2020 07:01:20 PMCREDIT HERE 16 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 EDITOR’S PICKS IN TH E PIN K Shades of baby pink are given a grown-up look with golden accents KOKET As a tribute to Dorothy Draper’s style, KOKET have taken the classic Drapesse Chair and added a lavish edge. The exterior is adorned with watercolour Terra leather, while the interior is a pale pink velvet, all of which rests on curvy polished brass legs. Rita Stool, Drapesse Chair and bookcase, POA HBI_048_016-017_Eds picks_11431287.indd 1630/11/2020 05:28:56 PMCREDIT HERE 17 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 Cult Furniture Luna oval ring table lamp, Dhs240 Editor’s PICKS The Rug Company Mary Katrantzou Sunray pink rug, Dhs22,725 Lallique Sakura pink vase, POA The Secret Skin Ranavat Luminous Ceremony Cream Cleanser, Dhs193 Christian Louboutin Speccio brogue, POA The French Bedroom Company Pink velvet bed, Dhs6,010 The F Pi Cult Furniture Daytona moon accent chair, Dhs480 Cult Furniture Mountain print, Dhs122 Lifestyle Boutique Bourjois eyeshadow palette, Dhs139 Lifestyle Boutique Velvet round mantel clock, Dhs250 The Outnet Nicholas runched satin-crepe top, Dhs545 The Outnet Ulla Johnson dress, Dhs2,000 Cult Furniture Josephine art deco fan wallpaper in rose gold, Dhs85 HBI_048_016-017_Eds picks_11431287.indd 1730/11/2020 05:29:04 PM The XXX 18 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 The TREND When Audrey Hepburn stepped out of a yellow taxi to admire the window display at Tiffany & Co., it appealed to every woman who dreamed of the fi ner things in life. Such was the impact of the moment, that it became an iconic representation relatable to women all over. If tablescaping could be compared to that moment, you probably get what the fuss is over a hashtag that has a staggering following of more than one million on social-media sites like Pinterest and Instagram. While it’s nothing new to this part of the world, the art of dining, and tablescaping in particular, has grown exponentially during the lockdown and socialites and homemakers alike have jumped on the bandwagon without hesitation. “I love easy entertaining; a formal table is great of course and can be gorgeous, but I like to keep things more relaxed,” says Katie Watson Grant, Founder of Lavender & May, known as the UAE’s fi rst ‘tablescape-in-a-box’ company. Stemming from the concept of experiential dining that focuses on involving all senses, tablescaping has elevated the simple act of laying a table. “Personally, to me, the art of dining is creating the perfect atmosphere for your guests,” says Katie. “It should be enjoyable, fun and most importantly hassle-free too.” Breaking down the process for beginners, Katie offers a few tips on picking themes and upcycling, where possible. “Choose a theme or a colour scheme and go from there. It could be whimsical, modern or traditional. Look around the house to see what elements you have that you can build into the chosen theme.” Reusable white linen napkins, personalised place cards, charger plates instead of a placemat, a table runner and a centrepiece with freshly-cut fl owers are all easy ways to begin. “They’re the base of any tablescape and then you can use items from around the house,” says Katie. “Flowers in a vase or pretty jars and tins, seasonal fruit and vegetables and simple candles can make gorgeous centrepieces.” Texture, layers, prints and colours are all equally important when it comes to creativity, but they must be approached with prudence for fear of a complete mismatch. “I’m a great lover of contrasting colours and clashing prints - it can look really bold and whimsical on a table when done well,” shares Katie. “Deep burgundy and soft pink are some of my favourites and these colours work with so much - golds, white and simple seagrass. Matching colours, especially pretty pastels are another favourite and so versatile to match to seasonal fl owers, plates and glassware.” Considering the sentiments of the season and the current pandemic that we’re all still grappling with, it’s always a great idea to experiment with sustainable brands that support the community and handmade crafts. To that end, Katie is mindful of sourcing sensibly and ethically for her new business. “There are some incredible, ethical tableware brands on the market,” she says. “For example, we’ve worked with a collective in Vietnam for the rattan charger plates we use in one of our tablescapes called The Harriet. Each plate is handmade, and all of the proceeds go directly back to the community and its development.” For those who believe that gratitude and graciousness can go together with culinary fi nesse and multisensory dining, this is the new elevated art of dining for all. ■ lavenderandmay.com New homegrown brand Lavender & May has put the rise of tablescaping on our radar for the festive season; a budding concept which has mushroomed during lockdown the world over THE A RT OF DINING Filled with candles and touches of green, the ‘Willow’ is ideal for an al fresco dinner. The red and white-themed ‘Noelle’ look creates a classic Christmas ambience. The golden décor from the ‘Ava luxe’ box adds just the right amount of festive drama. WORDS BY ODELIA MA THEWS, PHOTOGRAPHY BY AASIY A JAGADEESH HBI_048_018_Tablescaping_11453671.indd 1829/11/2020 02:06:02 PMCOLOUR S OF WINTER Evoke the season with a bold palette of neutral shades, pops of purple and mixed textures THE LIST Home accessories, from a selection, Lifestyle Boutique 19 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Winter 2020 HBI_048_019-025_The List_11431288.indd 1929/11/2020 04:00:01 PMNext >