Swarovski debuts at Dubai Design Week 2016 with a mesmerizing specially commissioned outdoor installation by Zeinab Al Hashemi, an Emirati designer with a keen eye for thrilling aesthetics.

Positioned within Dubai’s Design District (d3), ‘Hexalite’ is an interactive installation comprised of 1,145 Swarovski crystals and 33 hexagonal mirrored-steel structures.

The essence of Swarovski’s ‘Hexalite’ installation is captured through the geometric repetition created through the reflection of the 33 Swarovski crystal structures, coated for a certain effect, in order to form an expansive kaleidoscopic mirage. ‘Hexalite’ aims to mesmerize design week visitors and challenge them to interact with the surrounding environment through the installation’s various changes in perspective and color.

The mirror-polished stainless steel platform that supports the 1.5m high x 3m wide installation further expands the magic of the refractive Swarovski crystal light and its many changing reflections.

33 prismatic hexagons - Inspiration

According to Numerology, the number 33 represents world harmony and the balance of powers. It is the number of spiritual creation and transformative thinking, representing the understanding of the essence of being, perfect logic, creativity and perseverance. The 33 number reveals the flow of healing energy through the honest heart and unconditional love.

Al Haraka Baraka talks about the constant movement of nomads and beduins in the history of the region, with no borders or limits in search for their source of life. ever since their has been a glorious transformation influenced by crossroads of different cultures and nationalities. This transformation has left it’s mark on the region. My work focuses on documents these transition inspired by the construction boom. I explore materiality in construction sites and the foundation of building cities through making installations in collaboration with makers and workers.

In my previous work; a continuation of series called Urban Phantasmagoria, I explore the region maps and I use the technology of satellite shots to recreate the maps in a dream-like kaleidoscope imagery. I like to show the endless possibilities of map reforming and rebirth of new landscape, while technically documenting the country’s topography.

The grid made out of the welded metal mesh used in the foundation of the construction site serves on which latitude and longitude in this installation, and drawing the world map using neon tube lights. Latitude and Longitude play a major role in determining the time zones of different places throughout the world. In responding to the theme of (Haraka Baraka) humans are always on constant travel, from country to the other, from city to the next, from one location to another. Maybe we can’t always tell the where we are moving next, but we know it exist within the world map grid. Within the Grid is a reminder of where our families and friends live, places we had visited, and planning to visit. It is a chance to see how far we have reached and how close we are to our dreams, our movements are all within the Grid.