‘Purl’ will light up the Makers District Beach at Reem Island and is by artist Jenny Sabin
Reem Island is now in lights. Award-winning artist and designer has created stunning new feature that creates dramatic shadows during the day, glows at night, and generates a cooling micro-climate.
Makers District on Reem Island – Abu Dhabi’s mixed-use hub that has been designed to accentuate the lifestyle qualities of creators, innovators and entrepreneurs – has enhanced its developer IMKAN’s philosophy of ‘placemaking’ with a stunning new art installation.
Created by world renowned artist and designer, Jenny Sabin, the installation titled Purl takes centre stage at the Makers District Beach to forge a memorable experience for residents and visitors to the area.
Composed of thousands of digitally knitted and engineered fibre cells and conical forms, Purl weaves high technology into a captivating and enthralling design. The installation absorbs solar energy during the day and glows at night, its component of photo luminescent fibres illuminating once the sun has gone down.
Purl also features a canopy structure with a misting system that creates a micro-climate to help cool down visitors on hot and sunny days. The overall effect of the installation is one of a mesmerising environment that reacts to and is in tune with the ambient qualities of light that are experienced over a 24-hour period, its misting function adding to its aesthetic allure through the rainbow hues that are thrown out when sunlight plays on the fine water spray.
“IMKAN’s philosophy is one of ‘placemaking’ which emphasises creating an active environment for residents and visitors”, said said Katayoun Lazar, IMKAN’s Design Associate, Research and Development.
“Jenny Sabin’s Purl installation is a perfect representation of this ideal. We were keen to commission Jenny and her studio for the project as her design philosophy aligns with our principles at IMKAN and this was the main impetus behind asking her to collaborate with us.”