‘Design Is Served’ at Isola Space: Redefining the Art of the Table in Dubai
Dubai’s design scene continues to flourish, and in 2025, Isola Space cements its role as a hub for creativity and collaboration with its second exhibition, “Design Is Served”. Open from 9 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, the exhibition is hosted at Isola Space, a newly opened venue that combines a gallery, design store, café, workspace, and event area under one roof. Following the brand’s successful 2024 debut in Dubai, this exhibition showcases how Isola is expanding its creative footprint in the UAE, offering a platform where design, culture, and hospitality intersect.
Tales of the Nile collection by Aicha_s Table curated by Little Circus artwork by Heba Nawara ©Lahja
A Curated Exploration of Contemporary Tableware and Rituals
“Design Is Served” offers a thoughtful exploration of tableware, holiday entertaining, and the rituals that bring people together. The exhibition presents a refined selection of work from local and international designers within the Isola community, including Aïcha’s Table, ALINE JULIE, Boi.World, druschdesign, EDETRI, Estudio Material, and Heyfer Objects. From functional tableware to expressive artistic interpretations, each piece invites visitors to reflect on craftsmanship, cultural traditions, and the role of design in shaping the ways we gather, celebrate, and share meals.
This exhibition highlights the evolving art of hospitality, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed objects can enhance both everyday experiences and festive occasions. Every object tells a story, combining aesthetic excellence with practical functionality, encouraging visitors to engage with design beyond the visual, considering its emotional and social impact.
A Living Canvas: Stefano Rosetti’s Live-Painting Performance
The exhibition opens with a live-painting performance by Milan-based artist Stefano Rosetti, who will create a contemporary interpretation of the Christmas tree in real time. This dynamic act transforms Isola Space into a living canvas, blurring the line between exhibition and performance. Visitors will witness creativity unfolding before their eyes, capturing the energy and spontaneity that lies at the heart of Isola’s ethos.
Rosetti’s work embodies the exhibition’s central theme: that design is not only about objects but also about the experiences and emotions they generate. By reimagining traditional holiday motifs through a contemporary lens, the artist invites guests to consider how design can shape atmospheres, inspire conversation, and bring people together in shared celebration.
HyferObjects - Kakta table lamp ©Hyfer Objects.
Interactive Experiences and Thoughtful Dialogues
The opening day will feature a curated breakfast tablescape by multidisciplinary creative Oana-Maria Sofronia, offering a sensory introduction to the exhibition. This will be followed by an interactive roundtable moderated by Elif Resitoglu, Creative Director of Isola Design, exploring the multisensory dimensions of hosting, from olfactory atmospheres and visual setups to food presentation, sound, and lighting.
Guests will gain insights from experts, including floral designer Jessica Locke of BLACK AND BLANC, Amad Mian of Dastaangoi, and John Gillespie, co-founder of The Art of Hosting, who will share live demonstrations on tablescaping and event curation. These interactive sessions emphasise that design is not only about objects but also about the environments in which they exist and the experiences they create for people.
Dynamic Programming Throughout the Exhibition
“Design Is Served” goes beyond static displays. Throughout its run, Isola Space will host a diverse program of talks, workshops, brand pop-ups, and seasonal experiences. Visitors will have opportunities to meet designers, learn from makers, and engage directly with creative processes. This programming underscores Isola’s commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration within the UAE’s design community, reflecting the brand’s international ethos of connecting local and global creatives.
The exhibition’s focus on interaction and learning makes it a space where ideas are shared freely, sparking inspiration not only among visitors but also within the design community itself. Each workshop and talk is an opportunity to examine the intersections between design, culture, and hospitality, enriching visitors’ understanding of the evolving role of tableware, rituals, and celebration in contemporary life.
Left: Bureau of Innovation - Table Lamp ©Michael Sinclair / Right: EDETRI - The Beauty of Everyday Objects, Sculptured_wine glasses ©EDETRI
Outdoor Installations: Pots and Pines
Complementing the indoor exhibition, Pots and Pines presents a new outdoor installation of distinctive handmade planters. These sculptural pieces merge soil, clay, and glaze to create a distilled landscape of form and texture. Situated in Isola Space's outdoor area, the installation extends the exhibition’s narrative beyond the gallery walls, inviting visitors to engage with design in a natural, open-air setting.
This integration of indoor and outdoor experiences highlights Isola’s holistic approach to creative programming. It encourages visitors to see design as part of a larger environment—whether in how we interact with objects, arrange spaces, or engage with nature.
Elevating the Art of Gathering
At its core, “Design Is Served” explores how design shapes connection and elevates everyday rituals. From holiday celebrations to intimate dinners, the exhibition demonstrates that thoughtful design can transform ordinary gatherings into memorable experiences. It prompts reflection on the ways we come together, the cultural meanings embedded in objects, and how contemporary design can reinterpret traditional rituals.
For Dubai’s vibrant creative scene, this exhibition represents a rare opportunity to experience an international perspective on hospitality, tableware, and collaborative design practices. It also reinforces Isola Space’s reputation as a platform for experimentation, learning, and inspiration, continuing the momentum from its 2024 debut.
Aline Julie - Bol café au Lait collection Plates and Toast Rack ©Nicolas Lehni
Supporting the Creative Community
Isola Space, based in Milan and Dubai, is dedicated to supporting independent designers, forward-thinking studios, and innovative brands worldwide. Through exhibitions like “Design Is Served,” the space offers designers the chance to showcase their work to a global audience, engage in meaningful dialogue, and explore collaborations that extend beyond the UAE.
By combining exhibition spaces, curated events, workshops, and community engagement, Isola Space ensures that designers, makers, and creatives have a platform to explore new ideas, present their work in context, and connect with peers and audiences alike.
A Must-Visit Exhibition
From immersive installations and live performances to interactive tablescaping sessions and outdoor sculptural pieces, “Design Is Served” invites visitors to experience how contemporary design can enhance rituals, transform spaces, and foster connection. It is a celebration of creativity, culture, and collaboration, firmly positioning Isola Space as Dubai’s leading destination for innovative design experiences.
Whether you are a design professional, enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the artistry of the table, this exhibition promises to offer inspiration, insights, and a fresh perspective on the evolving art of hospitality.
Explore more of Isola’s new hub for design, creativity and collaboration in Dubai.
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