Bottega Veneta today opens “Destinations”, an exhibition at NOMAD Abu Dhabi that explores the practice and symbolism of weaving. Marking the 50th anniversary of the house’s own iconic leather weave, Intrecciato, the exhibition brings together the work of eight creatives who respond to this signature house craft with their own materials, perspective, and heritage.
Curated by Rana Beiruti, the exhibition features the work of six artists and two creative studios from across the Middle East and North Africa: Abdalla Almulla, Amine Asselman, Esna Su, Nader Gammas, Shaha Raphael, and Zein Daouk, as well as the design studio Sayar & Garibeh and the architectural office bahraini — danish.
Each one-of-a-kind piece honours Bottega Veneta’s founding principles of craft and creativity. From ceramic sheets and volcanic stone to works inspired by Emirati Areesh and palm-frond braiding, the works dialogue with Intrecciato through different local materials, regional craft, and weaving traditions. Three pieces also include reserve leather from the Bottega Veneta atelier.
Together, the works illuminate Intrecciato as both a way of making and a philosophy of creating and being; an act of encounter and unity, an intertwining of different elements to create a stronger whole. Bottega Veneta holds this notion of encounter not only in its signature craft but also in its regional roots. With its integral connection to Venice – a city distinguished by cross-cultural encounter and exchange – the house is shaped by a spirit of discovery and dialogue. The exhibition title, “Destinations”, speaks to this spirit of discovery, as well as to the house’s central code of movement.
“The commissioned works reflect a wide variety of interpretations that honor the Intrecciato weave, while also carrying gestures from the designers’ own personal styles,” says Rana Beiruti. “Some of the works draw on regional heritage and weaving traditions, while others interpret weaving beyond its physical expression—representing the interlacing of ideas, narratives, and cultures. Together, “Destinations” exemplifies dedication to craft, respect for artisanal communities, and creativity born from tradition.”
Intrecciato, meaning “braided”, “interwoven”, or “intertwined” in Italian, was first introduced in 1975. It involves the hand weaving of slender leather strips called fettucce, arranged in precise proportions and a typically diagonal pattern. Over half a century, the signature craft has both endured and evolved, inspiring infinite new expressions in size, shape, texture, and attitude.
“Destinations” will be on display through 22 November.
Participating Creatives:
Amine Asselman is a Moroccan artist with a PhD in Contemporary Art. He left a career in architecture to pursue his passion for art and design, first in Tetouan and later in Spain. Influenced by artists like M.C. Escher, his work merges science and art through geometry, a key element of his native culture. Currently, he lives and works in Tetouan, running his own ceramic and zellige workshop.
Abdalla Almulla is an Emirati architect and the founder of MULA, a multidisciplinary design studio established in 2018. Abdalla works across scales and disciplines, using design as a tool to question, interpret, and reframe everyday environments. He merges cultural narratives with formal experimentation, focusing on patterns and geometry as structuring tools. His process is iterative, rooted in research, prototyping, and refinement, allowing each project to evolve through a dialogue between theory and form.
bahraini — danish is an architectural office with a wide and wandering interest in immediate surroundings, history, and culture. Founded in 2017 by Batool Alshaikh, Maitham Almubarak, and Christian Vennerstrøm Jensen, the office has outputs varying across many genres, from design objects, furniture, installations, spaces and buildings. Their projects have been acquired by Qatar Museums, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Danish Prime Minister’s Office.
Esna Su is a textile artist who breathes stories into materials to create evocative handcrafted pieces. Her body of work subtly explores issues of identity and memory and how these are shaken in the context of political instability. Her collections The Refugee and The Burden, were exhibited in the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Korea, and China.
Nader Gammas is a lighting designer based in Dubai. Focusing on project-specific, customized lighting solutions, his pieces merge form, function, and storytelling, blending contemporary design with fine art and traditional craftsmanship. Since debuting at Dubai Design in 2017, Nader’s designs have gained international recognition, securing representation with Todd Merrill Studio and Studio Twenty Seven.
Sayar & Garibeh is a design studio based between Beirut and Paris, founded in 2015 by Stephanie Sayar and Charbel Garibeh. The studio blends traditional craft with contemporary innovation and wit. Their playful furniture and objects, crafted from materials ranging from terracotta and marble to resin and sisal, balance function and sculpture, often inspired by observations of daily life.
Shaha Raphael is an architect and maker based in Beirut, Lebanon. Her work is rooted in local materials, intuitive forms, and collaboration with skilled artisans, while maintaining a hands-on approach to learning and craft. Inspired by the interplay of natural forces and materiality, Shaha’s work touches upon the worlds of jewellery, furniture, and sculpture, combining digital precision with artisanal expertise. Each piece is designed to provoke ritual and celebrate texture, density, and flow.
Zein Daouk is a multidisciplinary architect whose ceramic practice examines complex questions and investigates alternate perspectives. In her body of work The Third Kingdom, she explores synergy through an exploration of the fungal realm. The biomorphic beings that emerge become a new species of functional art objects that point to a forgotten shared humanity. The Third Kingdom is born where nature, narrative, and craft coalesce, in silent yet sentient beings that embody this story of symbiosis.
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Amine Asselman 