During Dubai Design Week, Fantini Mosaici celebrates the art of contemporary mosaic

Dubai, November 8, 2023 – Fantini Mosaici has a double event in Dubai, presenting two spectacular creations at Downtown Design from November 8 to 11, 2023: "Carved in the Now" by AB+AC Architects and "DESERT VISIONS," the first mosaic collection designed by Swiss artist Anne-Marie Fischer.

Fantini Mosaici continues its exploration of the future of mosaic. After the "Back to the Future" installation at Milan’s Fuorisalone 2023, the company once again captivates the contemporary design world with a stunning creation by AB+AC Architects, led by Arianna Bavuso and Andre Chedid. The studio, commissioned by Downtown Design to design the entrance hall for the 2023 edition of the event, has brought to life "Carved in the Now," an immersive multisensory experience.

The project highlights the potential of mosaic work with a modern approach that embraces sustainability by using processing scraps. It allows complete freedom in cutting, tile dimensions, and blending with other elements.

Visitors, welcomed into a reception area bordered by white walls covered with sound-absorbing panels, enter an octagonal pavilion housing the artwork handcrafted by Fantini Mosaici's master mosaicists. The curtains open to reveal a charming grotto of light, made of precious Giallo Siena stones, Murano glass, citrine crystals, and gold leaf veins.

The authors explain: "We drew inspiration from the city of Dubai, with its dream of a united humanity and the desire to transcend the boundaries and limits of architecture and design. 'Carved in the Now' is an encapsulating and kaleidoscopic room where the spiritual qualities of joy, abundance, and creative transformation are projected into infinity thanks to the captivating magic of mirrors placed on both the floor and ceiling, creating the illusion of a tower seemingly carved into the grotto."

The experience is enhanced by the use of light, sound, and mirrors, while therapeutic crystals mixed with the mosaic are tasked with creating an aura of contemplation and reflection.

"The message we want to convey through this artwork," the architects continue, "is an invitation to stay, slow down, and discover a marvellous world while recharging your energy."

Fantini Mosaici has a long tradition of projects in the United Arab Emirates: from the Grand Mosque to the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, from the Palazzo Versace Hotel and Resort to luxury boutiques created for Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.

Enrico Fantin, CEO and President of Fantini Mosaici, states: "As a testament to our dedication to the region, we have proudly participated in Downtown Design for the past ten years. This year, we are excited to announce our sponsorship of the main entrance, featuring a one-of-a-kind experience that will inspire architects and designers to re-imagine the use of mosaic in their projects."

“Carved in the Now” is a composition that evokes the excellence of Italian craftsmanship, celebrating a millennia-old tradition as it evolves in the light of contemporary innovation.

ABOUT AB+AC Architects

AB+AC Architects, founded by Arianna Bavuso and Andre Chedid, is an international multidisciplinary studio working in the fields of urban planning, architecture, and design. At AB+AC, each project is driven by the pursuit of innovative strategies and the design of replicable and scalable solutions intended for a constantly evolving future. The aim is to use architecture and design as tools to meet a wide range of needs, with the goal of promoting a healthier and more sustainable quality of life.

Fantini Mosaici promotes innovation in the world of mosaic by involving prominent international artists in its research and experimentation. In addition to designing the main entrance of the event, the company is present in the Italian Pavilion at Downtown Design with “DESERT VISIONS,” a mosaic collection that marks the beginning of its collaboration with Swiss designer Anne-Marie Fischer.

Created from an exclusive design by the Swiss artist, the "DESERT VISIONS" collection expresses the designer's passion for harmoniously combining color, shapes, and dimensions to create a calculated balance of forces, between movement, proportion, and rhythm.

At the moment of creation, the artist recounts, “blue figures appeared to me, and I had to somehow capture them before they disappeared.” From a dream, from a vision that arose spontaneously and soon dissolved, the idea emerged for a collection of 12 panels featuring deep blue figures in enamel on a light marble background, with small accents of gold. Each detail finds its rightful place, and, tile by tile, the composition comes to life thanks to the meticulous work of the master mosaicists at Fantini Mosaici. Anne-Marie Fischer continues: “The ‘’DESERT VISIONS’’ collection was created in my studio in the forest, in the heart of the night, using the paper collage technique.” The artist works in two studios: one is located in an industrial building with large windows in the center of Zurich, while the other is in a wooden house in a Swiss forest, a secluded corner that allows her to retreat and fully focus on her creations.

“In all my work,” she continues, “I seek simplification, which is why I chose only a few components from the beautiful and varied collection of Fantini Mosaici.”

‘DESERT VISIONS’ demonstrates how versatile mosaic work can be and how it can interpret contemporary trends. Enrico Fantin, CEO and President of Fantini Mosaici, states: “We are pleased to collaborate with Anne-Marie Fischer on this pioneering collection, where once again we show another way in which mosaic can maintain tradition while aligning with modern trends. We are confident that ‘DESERT VISIONS’ will inspire artists, architects, and designers to consider mosaic as a sustainably crafted material to incorporate into their future projects.”

ABOUT ANNE-MARIE FISCHER

Anne-Marie Fischer is a Swiss artist. She lives and works in Zurich, where she teaches at the Haus der Farbe. Born in Paris, she studied architecture at ETH Zurich and art history at the University of Zurich. After 20 years working as an architect, she chose to fully dedicate herself to visual art, delving into various fields including painting, printmaking, collage, sculpture, mural works, and site-specific installations.