Dhahran’s Tanween Conference Showcases Creativity and Innovation
In a dazzling display of creativity, resilience, and innovation, the “Behind the Curtains: Scenes of Craft” exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is stealing the show at the annual Tanween conference.
Aligned with the Tanween 2024 theme “Fail Forward,” this exhibition challenges visitors to embrace setbacks as crucial steps in the creative journey.
This exhibition, in line with the Tanween 2024 theme, urges visitors to see failures as integral to the creative process. (Courtesy of Ithra Studios)
Collaborating with Isola Studio, the exhibition features the works of 10 renowned studios focusing on crafts, circular design, and material research, running until Nov. 6.
Gabriele Cavallaro, co-founder of Isola Studio, explained the concept behind the exhibition: “We chose the name ‘Behind the Curtains’ to reveal what’s beyond the surface, using a theatrical approach to showcase the journey from start to finish.”
Studios presented not only their final products but also the process behind them, including failures, trials, and discarded pieces. This emphasis on the creative process underscores the importance of overcoming challenges in design.
Showcasing the works of 10 renowned studios, the exhibition explores the intricacies of craft and design. (Courtesy of Ithra Studios)
Visitors get an exclusive peek into the studios’ artistic processes, sharing inspirations, prototypes, and materials that didn’t make the final cut. This transparency highlights the role of experimentation in design.
At the core of the exhibition is an interactive workshop area where visitors can engage in activities like sketching, molding, and experimenting with various materials, immersing themselves in the creative process.
This hands-on experience reinforces the idea that creativity is a dynamic journey of exploration and discovery.
The “Fail Forward” theme permeates the exhibition, urging visitors to view failures as valuable learning opportunities. By sharing their struggles and insights, the design studios encourage visitors to embrace their own creative challenges.
Cavallaro shared his aspirations for visitors, saying: “I hope they realize the significance of taking risks to achieve success in life.”