The NYUAD Project Space presents Crystal No.6, an exhibition showcasing a research project by Mobius Design Studio. It explores the history and rich culture of Freej Al Murar, a historic neighbourhood in Dubai, celebrating it as a living archive of craftsmanship, community, and resilience. The exhibition will be open to the public until 11 March 2025.
The Crystal No. 6 project originated from exploring the mkhawera, a traditional embroidered garment worn by Emirati women. Freej Al Murar became a symbolic epicentre of its origins, highlighting the tension between tradition and erasure in a capitalist landscape. Crystal No.6 honours the artisans who remain largely invisible in the historical narrative.
The exhibition features an installation of nine addas (embroidery stretchers), which display embroidered personal narratives by artisans, and a short film by Abdulla Majjan. Visitors can also read a publication with essays by writer and publisher Ahmed Makia, clothesmaker and researcher Kallol Datta, and anthropological archaeologist Uzma Z. Rizvi, delving into Freej Al Murar’s cultural significance.
About Mobius Design Studio
Established in 2010 by female designers Hadeyeh Badri, Hala Al-Ani, and Riem Ibrahim, Mobius Design Studio is a design and research practice dedicated to enriching the UAE and MENASA region’s design discourse. The studio challenges conventional design narratives and continuously reexamines the responsibilities of designers in contemporary society.
Mobius has curated multiple graphic design symposia and exhibitions, including Design Dispatch (2023), Weltformat DXB (2019), and Change, Coordinates + Someone Else (2018). Their curatorial approach integrates public engagement through talks, workshops, and community-centred events, often culminating in self-published books.
In 2013, the studio launched Design House, a platform supporting Dubai-based designers from diverse disciplines, fostering process-driven, research-based inquiries. Beyond exhibitions, Design House allows the general public to engage with design beyond commercial constraints.
Mobius has also initiated The Looming Council, a community-driven digital portal and long-term research initiative. This project empowers educators to reclaim historical and cultural narratives within the MENASA region, shifting focus from Western-dominated perspectives and amplifying marginalised identities.
To get more information about Crystal No.6, please go to the official web page of the exhibition.
Additionally, you might be interested in visiting Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial at the NYUAD Art Gallery and Reflections & Inspirations from Emirati Heritage, a group show at the Sharjah Heritage Museum. We would also recommend that you read our article about three sustainable female designers from the Middle East.
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