#AmmanDesignWeek dazzles with an extraordinary exhibit of modern ideas!

Published September 6th, 2016 - 06:57 GMT

Three public spaces in downtown Amman have been temporarily re-purposed as platforms to promote Jordanian contemporary design. Supported by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Amman Design Week offers an extraordinary range of talent and experimentation never before displayed as a single "happening". Planned as an annual event to encourage growth in Jordan's design sector, with workshops and lectures that stimulate learning and innovation.

A wide range of handcrafted artifacts - many interactive - are showcased at "The Hangar" in Ras el Ain, the Jordan Museum "MakerSpace", and the upper level of Raghadan Tourist Terminal. Pieces include a musical organ made from shards of desert flint to intricately embroidered gowns that employ traditional stitchwork in radically new patternings.

The pilot event runs from September 1 through 9, with exhibitions open (free admission!) from 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Sponsored by Zain and Manaseer Group, with a shuttle bus (also free!) providing transport between venues.

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Built in the 1930s in Ras al Ayn, "The Hangar" housed the electrical generators that powered Jordan's burgeoning capital city. Shown here and in the lead image, it underwent major rehabilitation by the Greater Amman Municipality and is now used for cultural events such as exhibitions, fairs, and lectures.

The "Drape" chair was created by 1 millimetre, a design studio with offices in Beirut and London that focuses on functional designs for everyday life. The leather hangs like a curtain and the chair can be disassembled if you wish to change the seat material.

Tania George is a ready-to-wear women's clothing line based in Amman. Known for simple silhouettes, rendered fresh with unique fabrics printed up with scenes of "the charming chaos of Amman" - in this case, the capitals' mad bus traffic. Production relies on skills of refugees and local, underprivileged seamstresses.

The "Unfolding Unity Stool Marble Edition" by Aljoud Lootah Design Studio is part of a furniture collection that takes its cue from Arabesque patterns and motifs. The double curvature of the bench's layers casts dramatic shadows that vary with the lighting.

Aziza Chaouni Projects (ACP) is a multi-disciplinary design firm with offices in Morocco and Canada. Projects involve collaboration between atypical professionals (as example - ecologists, economists) in order to create nuanced artworks for bespoke applications.

A pair of futuristic wood-burning stoves designed by Khammash Architects display anthropomorphic qualities; their spindly legs suggest they might just walk to another part of The Hangar for a change of view. This firm seeks to incorporate concepts from the nature into its designs.

Admission is free, and the organizers are also providing free transport between the three venues. Hop aboard an air-conditioned bus that shuttles in a constant loop through downtown. Helpful security staff - speaking both Arabic and English - provide bus schedule updates and useful information about the overall event.

Moving on to the Jordan Museum's MakerSpace, encounter an installation by Azra Aksamija reminiscent of Paris's "Love Lock Bridge". Bright yellow squares of Plexiglas hang from a panel of wire fencing, each bearing a tiny cut-out outlining iconic images - a nod to multicultural and urban references.

The show becomes more experiential at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, where portions of the facility have been wrapped with saffron-colored fabric. Here find a pop-up marketplace featuring dozens of Jordan's most innovative craftspeople, all eager to explain their processes of design and production - many actively engaged in "making" on site.

The vibrantly colored public area installations are an excellent contrast to the limestone facades of old downtown.

Twenty-seven artists crocheted 800 triangles and 10 diamonds using upcycled plastic bags to form "#KeesChic Canopies". The installation provided a punch of joyful color while offering cooling shade and fascinating shadow-play. The project used 25 thousand plastic bags!

The craftspeople at #KeesChic Canopies again turned to the lowly plastic bag to create handbags, footstools, and home accessories. The brand aims to mitigate the environmental damage caused by plastics. The items are made by marginalized MENA artisans.

Ola Madanat debuted her first pieces of jewelry in 2012, with designs that emerged from her architectural background. Her pieces are edgy, with clean lines and unusual texture. Check out her temporary shop at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, if only to enjoy her gorgeous displays.

Supported by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, the Association of Iraq Al Amir Women teaches handicrafts such as papermaking using natural dyes to produce innovative designs (like the colorful paper spice bowls, shown here). Sales underpin the livelihood of women in Iraq Al Amir.

Tuck into fantastic food and beverages at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, where you can indulge in herbal teas, organic jams, and freshly baked pastries. Live entertainment is also on offer - check the ADW website for the detailed schedule of exhibitors, workshops, lectures and entertainment.

Built in the 1930s in Ras al Ayn, "The Hangar" housed the electrical generators that powered Jordan's burgeoning capital city. Shown here and in the lead image, it underwent major rehabilitation by the Greater Amman Municipality and is now used for cultural events such as exhibitions, fairs, and lectures.

The "Drape" chair was created by 1 millimetre, a design studio with offices in Beirut and London that focuses on functional designs for everyday life. The leather hangs like a curtain and the chair can be disassembled if you wish to change the seat material.

Tania George is a ready-to-wear women's clothing line based in Amman. Known for simple silhouettes, rendered fresh with unique fabrics printed up with scenes of "the charming chaos of Amman" - in this case, the capitals' mad bus traffic. Production relies on skills of refugees and local, underprivileged seamstresses.

The "Unfolding Unity Stool Marble Edition" by Aljoud Lootah Design Studio is part of a furniture collection that takes its cue from Arabesque patterns and motifs. The double curvature of the bench's layers casts dramatic shadows that vary with the lighting.

Aziza Chaouni Projects (ACP) is a multi-disciplinary design firm with offices in Morocco and Canada. Projects involve collaboration between atypical professionals (as example - ecologists, economists) in order to create nuanced artworks for bespoke applications.

A pair of futuristic wood-burning stoves designed by Khammash Architects display anthropomorphic qualities; their spindly legs suggest they might just walk to another part of The Hangar for a change of view. This firm seeks to incorporate concepts from the nature into its designs.

Admission is free, and the organizers are also providing free transport between the three venues. Hop aboard an air-conditioned bus that shuttles in a constant loop through downtown. Helpful security staff - speaking both Arabic and English - provide bus schedule updates and useful information about the overall event.

Moving on to the Jordan Museum's MakerSpace, encounter an installation by Azra Aksamija reminiscent of Paris's "Love Lock Bridge". Bright yellow squares of Plexiglas hang from a panel of wire fencing, each bearing a tiny cut-out outlining iconic images - a nod to multicultural and urban references.

The show becomes more experiential at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, where portions of the facility have been wrapped with saffron-colored fabric. Here find a pop-up marketplace featuring dozens of Jordan's most innovative craftspeople, all eager to explain their processes of design and production - many actively engaged in "making" on site.

The vibrantly colored public area installations are an excellent contrast to the limestone facades of old downtown.

Twenty-seven artists crocheted 800 triangles and 10 diamonds using upcycled plastic bags to form "#KeesChic Canopies". The installation provided a punch of joyful color while offering cooling shade and fascinating shadow-play. The project used 25 thousand plastic bags!

The craftspeople at #KeesChic Canopies again turned to the lowly plastic bag to create handbags, footstools, and home accessories. The brand aims to mitigate the environmental damage caused by plastics. The items are made by marginalized MENA artisans.

Ola Madanat debuted her first pieces of jewelry in 2012, with designs that emerged from her architectural background. Her pieces are edgy, with clean lines and unusual texture. Check out her temporary shop at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, if only to enjoy her gorgeous displays.

Supported by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, the Association of Iraq Al Amir Women teaches handicrafts such as papermaking using natural dyes to produce innovative designs (like the colorful paper spice bowls, shown here). Sales underpin the livelihood of women in Iraq Al Amir.

Tuck into fantastic food and beverages at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, where you can indulge in herbal teas, organic jams, and freshly baked pastries. Live entertainment is also on offer - check the ADW website for the detailed schedule of exhibitors, workshops, lectures and entertainment.

#AmmanDesignWeek dazzles with an extraordinary exhibit of modern ideas!

The "Drape" chair was created by 1 millimetre, a design studio with offices in Beirut and London that focuses on functional designs for everyday life. The leather hangs like a curtain and the chair can be disassembled if you wish to change the seat material.

The "Unfolding Unity Stool Marble Edition" by Aljoud Lootah Design Studio is part of a furniture collection that takes its cue from Arabesque patterns and motifs. The double curvature of the bench's layers casts dramatic shadows that vary with the lighting.

Aziza Chaouni Projects (ACP) is a multi-disciplinary design firm with offices in Morocco and Canada. Projects involve collaboration between atypical professionals (as example - ecologists, economists) in order to create nuanced artworks for bespoke applications.

A pair of futuristic wood-burning stoves designed by Khammash Architects display anthropomorphic qualities; their spindly legs suggest they might just walk to another part of The Hangar for a change of view. This firm seeks to incorporate concepts from the nature into its designs.

Moving on to the Jordan Museum's MakerSpace, encounter an installation by Azra Aksamija reminiscent of Paris's "Love Lock Bridge". Bright yellow squares of Plexiglas hang from a panel of wire fencing, each bearing a tiny cut-out outlining iconic images - a nod to multicultural and urban references.

The vibrantly colored public area installations are an excellent contrast to the limestone facades of old downtown.

Twenty-seven artists crocheted 800 triangles and 10 diamonds using upcycled plastic bags to form "#KeesChic Canopies". The installation provided a punch of joyful color while offering cooling shade and fascinating shadow-play. The project used 25 thousand plastic bags!

The craftspeople at #KeesChic Canopies again turned to the lowly plastic bag to create handbags, footstools, and home accessories. The brand aims to mitigate the environmental damage caused by plastics. The items are made by marginalized MENA artisans.

Ola Madanat debuted her first pieces of jewelry in 2012, with designs that emerged from her architectural background. Her pieces are edgy, with clean lines and unusual texture. Check out her temporary shop at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, if only to enjoy her gorgeous displays.

Supported by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, the Association of Iraq Al Amir Women teaches handicrafts such as papermaking using natural dyes to produce innovative designs (like the colorful paper spice bowls, shown here). Sales underpin the livelihood of women in Iraq Al Amir.

Tuck into fantastic food and beverages at the Raghadan Tourist Terminal, where you can indulge in herbal teas, organic jams, and freshly baked pastries. Live entertainment is also on offer - check the ADW website for the detailed schedule of exhibitors, workshops, lectures and entertainment.

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