Vacheron Constantin Collaborates with Emirati Artist Omar Al Gurg

Vacheron Constantin, the esteemed Swiss watchmaker with a 270-year legacy, has unveiled a captivating art installation titled ‘Among The Pillars’ in collaboration with Emirati designer Omar Al Gurg.

Known for his minimalist and modular designs, Al Gurg embodies the essence of Vacheron Constantin's annual theme, ‘Less'ential’, through his use of locally sourced materials and a focus on simple, clean lines. Standing tall at four metres, the centrepiece is adorned by an engraved plate on the shorter pillars with the iconic Vacheron Constantin Maltese cross.

“We are proud to collaborate with Omar Al Gurg, a talented and creative artist who beautifully blended together the strong cultural heritage of the region with the precision of fine watchmaking and craftsmanship,” Christophe Ramel, the Vacheron Constantin regional managing director for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, tells SceneNowUAE. “In the spirit of Ramadan, this distinctive masterpiece embodies values of heritage, community and Islamic art through the use of innovative and sustainable palm tree material. We welcome our clients to discover this avant-garde art installation in our regional boutiques.”

Two innovative materials, both regionally sourced, form the core of the installation: PlyPalm, a novel material transforms regional palm fronds into elegant structures, and DateForm, the world's first date-seed-based solid surface.

The robust hexagonal pillars, crafted from PlyPalm, represent the deep roots and enduring foundations of the region's heritage. They also allude to the traditional method of marking time, where a pillar's shadow falling on the ground indicated the passage of hours. Meanwhile, DateForm breathes new life into date seeds, transforming them into a beautiful interior design element. This material, embodying the traditions of Ramadan, serves as the art piece's captivating backdrop.

‘Among The Pillars’ will be on display in the Atrium of The Dubai Mall flagship boutique throughout Ramadan. Replicas of the installation will also grace Vacheron Constantin boutiques across the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.