Arte e Cultura
Beirut Design Fair Launches its Second Edition: Beirut Set to Become Design's Regional Hub
(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/725000/Beirut_Design_Fair.jpg )
The event builds on the remarkable success of its first edition in 2017 which witnessed almost 17,000 visitors, a number expected to exceed 20,000 this year.
said: " first edition, in 2017, was of a Lebanese character, but the strategic objective is to also exhibit works from galleries and designers from all over the world, with both local and international designs emanating from creative unique pieces of products and furniture.
core belief is that the Lebanese design scene is deeply rooted, pluralistic, dynamic, connected to the contemporary world, and in permanent reinvention. Our first edition featured the works of 47 exhibitors, galleries, design studios, and emerging designers, of which more than 40 sold either some of their pieces on display, or transacted multiple sales on all their pieces. To this day, there are exhibitors who are still producing units as a result of their participation in first edition. Our second edition will show how we're moving gradually, yet at a fast pace, to welcome foreign talent. The 60 exhibitors and 150 designers of our 2018 edition will have European galleries represented.
"For this year, the scenography and museography effects, which are part of the fair's DNA, are made by the worldwide reputed architect Galal Mahmoud , a true enthusiast and ally."
Hala Moubarak went on to say, "In addition to providing 'SpotOn!' opportunities for young talents, activates the relationship between design and manufacture, thus promoting a microeconomic ecosystem of its own with spillover into the country's macro economy, let alone ramifying positively into the social sphere."
As for , he stated: "When we embarked on , we did it out of our strong conviction that Beirut was in the process of imposing itself as the platform, indeed the hub, of Design in the Levant and the Middle East by virtue of the community of Lebanese architects and decorators being all there, and presenting the fair with both a leverage and a support.
" Beirut is a major Design pole of the Mediterranean basin, a bridge between East and West; its history and its geographical location account for the creativity, curiosity, culture, and the discerning flair of the Lebanese.
"Moreover, the first edition of revealed Beirut's position as the marketplace for Design in the Middle East , with the city not just being the regional meeting point of demand and supply in Design, but far ahead of all the other countries in the region in that sphere.
"Accordingly, imposed itself on the scene as satisfying a need, and demonstrated that in spite of all the prior perceptions, the purchasing power was there.
"Furthermore, set its offering on Selection and Quality, with those two pillars being the conditions for ensuring a sustainable prominence in matters of Design for Beirut . It's a costly positioning for the fair, as a lot of applications to entry to the 2018 edition were not accepted by the Selection Committee, but it's the only way to occupy the first place in the region, and rise to the next level year after year.
"And beyond the indispensable Quality consideration, some other ingredients influence the degree of success of an event, and the affluence it induces. Among these,
carefully cultivates the sense of the heartfelt emotion, the memorable experience, and the human encounter. Visitors are participants. We want to give participants a '!' moment, the 'WOW' effect that is, induced by spectacular and surprise elements generated by content, scenography and museography
"With its dual focus to put Lebanese designers forward and showcase works from internationally renowned exhibitors, thus enables the necessary networking between the two, as well as asserts Beirut's position on the international scene of Design."
is organized by co-founders and , with the support of its founding partner, .
In April 2018 , opened doors for 6 Lebanese designers to be selected for the prestigious "Rising Talent Awards" bestowed by , the professional trade fair in Paris dedicated to lifestyle, decoration and design, an opportunity that will allow them to present their latest creations and represent Lebanon during the international , taking place in Paris from September 7 till 11, 2018.
carefully structures its to reflect its positioning and vision, with quality, creativity, diversity, innovation and ancestral know-how being the key selection criteria set. Further, the role of the is to allow to feature a balance between national and international exhibitors, and between established and emerging designers, whether Lebanese or European. This interaction is essential to maintain primary objective of Beirut becoming the design showcase of the Levant and the Middle East , and the Mediterranean Basin by extension, as well as the hotbed of design-manufacture collaborations beyond frontiers.
for 2018 comprises , who all embrace Beirut and its particular openness to the world closely, and are renowned interior architects, architects, designers, creative minds, and unique talent hunters in their own right. The participates closely in the elaboration of the fair, the vetting of exhibitors, and the decisions on the recipients of the
Furthermore, Lebanese architect and renowned interior designer was designated as the , as her exuberant energy, generosity, enthusiasm, and distinguished expertise combined to make of her the perfect advocate for and its international calling.
is in partnership with (same place, same dates), which holds its ninth edition and awaits more than 30,000 visitors this year.
For more information, please visit: http://www.beirut-design-fair.com
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For more information, please contact:
Shereen Sabbah El Far: +961-1-739-155-7 / shereen@frontpage.co.com
Hervé Piglowski: +961-1-739-155-7 / herve@frontpage.co.com