Art that connects worlds: ftNFT phygital space showcases three distinct voices
The ftNFT Phygital Space in Dubai Mall continues to evolve as a vibrant hub of innovation, empathy and artistic expression, spotlighting bold and diverse voices from across the region and beyond. From exclusive exhibitions to avant-garde partnerships, ftNFT is redefining what it means to experience art.
Among the standout showcases are thought-provoking exhibitions by pioneering Emirati artist Abdulla Lutfi, visionary Turkish creator Zeynep Çilek Çimen and acclaimed Iranian artist Siamak Azmi.
'Artistic. Autistic. Abdulla', the acclaimed exhibition by Abdulla Lutfi, invites visitors into the artist's distinctive monochromatic world. Known for his candid black-and-white illustrations, Lutfi explores themes of neurodiversity, identity and imagination through emotionally resonant visuals. A highlight of the showcase is his eye-shaped canvas, 'UAE Through My Eyes' — a tapestry of heritage and modernity that captures the soul of the nation through majestic desert landscapes, futuristic skylines and cultural vibrancy. The exhibition, enriched with NFT integrations and storytelling screens, honours inclusion and imagination in equal measure.
'I believe art has the power to make people feel seen,' Lutfi reflects. 'This exhibition is not just about me — it's about the conversations we start and the understanding we build together.'
In another powerful installation, Zeynep Çilek Çimen's 'Unfolding Narratives' fills the space with colour, symbolism and poetic rhythm. Her work bridges past and present, personal and collective identity, inviting viewers into a contemplative journey supported by Turkish Airlines. With each composition, Çimen creates a visual language that speaks to transformation, tradition and the delicate act of becoming.
Adding a new dimension to the ftNFT Phygital Space's curatorial vision is Siamak Azmi, an Iranian artist whose expressive, semi-abstract works fuse architectural form, gestural abstraction and psychological depth. Azmi's practice is rooted in exploring the interplay between inner reality and urban structures, often depicting surreal, fragmented cityscapes that reflect the complexity of contemporary life. With exhibitions spanning from Tehran to Paris and Venice, Azmi's presence brings an international edge to the space's mission of creative dialogue.
'At ftNFT, we believe in art as a bridge — between worlds, between people and between realities both digital and physical,' says Henrik Sargsyan, director at ftNFT. 'These exhibitions are a celebration of connection, diversity and the unexpected ways creativity allows us to understand each other.'
With more exciting events on the horizon, ftNFT continues to lead the way in blending physical and digital realities, offering a platform where the next generation of artists, collectors, and visionaries converge.
The future of art lives here. And it's only just beginning.
The exhibitions are presented in the ftNFT Phygital Space — a gallery unlike any other, that merges traditional art with Web3 innovation. Located in Chinatown, Dubai Mall, the space invites guests into an immersive journey through NFTs, physical installations and storytelling.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
8 hours ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Chattels & More Has Launched The UrArtU Flower Studio, Filled With Blooms To Brighten Your Home
Chattels & More elevates home and interior design with the opening of the UrArtU Flower Studio, at its flagship boutique in Mall of the Emirates Floral storytelling has the transformative power to enhance interiors, homes and special occasions. That's because flowers and art are universal languages that connect people through colour, imagination and expression. Dubai's homegrown interior brand, Chattels & More, takes this transformative power to new heights with the opening of the UrArtU Gallery. Of it's launch, founder Gurgen Yeritsyan explains, 'Some of my most artistic and bold floral creations have been inspired by a deep connection to nature, art, emotion, and storytelling. Each arrangement is more than just flowers – it's a composition of mood, meaning, and moment.' The studio offers an experiential invitation to explore the possibilities of floral storytelling. Imagine texture, tone and unconventional shapes and colours blended together to reveal depth, character and soul. Each fresh or dried flower bouquet comes alive in varying shapes and sizes, curated according to specifications, and the occasion. 'I love creating arrangements that tell a story without words, using flowers to express different emotions: grief through dark, moody florals and trailing vines; celebration through bold colours and dynamic, upward movement; romance through delicate, soft petals and blush tones,' adds Gurgen. With creations taking anywhere from 15 minutes to 10 hours to make, and ranging from three to five types of flowers to elaborate or large-scale installations, there is much to explore within these mesmerising displays. 'Boldness often comes from breaking rules. Whether it's using unexpected materials like burnt branches, industrial wire, or fruit, or challenging traditional shapes with asymmetry and motion, I enjoy exploring the line between floral design and conceptual art,' shares Gurgen, who is known for elevating any occasion or space with his unique selection of rare flowers and unexpected non-floral elements. Often becoming conversation starters, some of these arrangements and exotic flowers include King Protea, Ranunculus and Fritillaria – each selected for its form, appearance or patterns to create artistic designs using twisted elements like branches, bark, seed pods, driftwood, fabric or wire art. Aligning with the vision of Chattels & More, this new collaboration offers customers endless options to enhance any space. A choice of art-inspired vases, with sculptural and seasonal floral compositions, is also available to experiment with. And if you don't know where to begin, you can request a made-to-order design, beautifully arranged in a vase of your own.
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai gaming ecosystem expands rapidly with 350+ companies
More than 60 new gaming companies have set up shop in Dubai since the emirate launched its Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 'DPG33' in November 2023, marking a growth rate of 16.6 per cent since the launch of the programme, data showed Overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation, the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 'DPG33', has announced that Dubai is home to more than 350 companies, with 260 of them categorised as specialised game developers, contributing overall to a global industry valued at $200 billion globally. The gaming industry has emerged as one of Dubai's most promising economic sectors in recent years. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said: 'The recent achievements in the Dubai's gaming industry reflects the success of the city's vision for its future economy — one built on economic diversification and the proactive investment in current and future development opportunities. The gaming sector holds unprecedented economic potential, and Dubai was — and will remain — a land of opportunity and a destination for innovators and creators. The industry offers a wealth of unprecedented opportunities thanks to the supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs and innovative ideas in advanced technology sectors, particularly game development, which is a key driver in enhancing Dubai's global competitiveness and in achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).' DPG33 aims to position Dubai among the world's top 10 global gaming hubs over the next decade, with 30,000 new jobs and a $1 billion boost to GDP by 2033. It focuses on nurturing talent and entrepreneurship, embracing technological advancements, and fostering digital content development, while creating training and employment opportunities with leading global firms and academic institutions, and leads a variety of local and international events, exhibitions, and partnerships that strengthen collaboration between individuals, businesses, and regulatory bodies in Dubai and beyond.
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Bloom World Academy banks on Banksy's bouquets for baccalaureates
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer Bloom World Academy's (BWA) private art fair on May 30 saw the debut display of three original Banksy street art pieces — Running Coppers, Toxic Fuel, and Secured. It made BWA the first school in the UAE to host original Banksy street art works, including the world premiere of 'Secured', one of the artist's highly coveted pieces. The artworks, which were presented alongside student work at the school's exclusive art fair, are owned and curated by Wonderwall Fine Arts. Two of the pieces were unveiled globally at World Art Dubai earlier this year, while 'Secured' had never been exhibited in a gallery anywhere in the world. BWA is a Dubai-based authorised IB school. John Bell, Founding Principal of Bloom World Academy, said: 'At BWA, we encourage students to explore, question and create. This collaboration wasn't just about viewing thought-provoking art — it was about dialogue, reflection, critical thinking and giving our students and their families a front-row seat to culture that challenges and inspires.' Kimberly McMahon, CEO at Wonderwall Fine Arts said that 'we're proud to collaborate with Bloom World Academy on this special showcase — they're a school that genuinely values early exposure to meaningful art and ideas. Our goal wasn't just to display original Banksy street artworks, but to place them where they could spark imagination and conversation. Giving young people access to work that's bold, witty and thought-provoking felt like the right way to make art matter — and perhaps even plant the seed for the next great Banksy.' Featuring a range of student artwork and design projects from across grade levels, the one-day art fair emphasised the power of creativity in holistic education. It was an opportunity for students to exhibit their work alongside one-of-a-kind street pieces by a globally renowned artist. BWA is an International Baccalaureate World School for students aged 18 months to 18 years old. It embeds the arts into its educational ethos and has collaborated with institutions like Jameel Arts Centre. BWA is the first own-brand school of leading school provider in the UAE, Bloom Education. Secured by Banksy. Bloom Education owns brand schools and nurseries, and operates UAE Charter Schools and New Generation Schools. It is a pioneer in the Middle East education sector for nearly a decade and half and has introduced leading American, English and International Baccalaureate curriculum education brands in the UAE, with a total roster of over 20,000 students. Partnering international school brand Brighton College, Bloom Education has been selected by Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to operate the Abu Dhabi Charter Schools programme. Bloom Education has also been chosen by Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE) to operate schools in the Northern Emirates, as part of the 'Ajyal' (new 'generation') school initiative. Kimberly McMahon responds to Gulf Today's questions regarding the art fair Why did you choose a school for the Banksy exhibition? Bloom World Academy is not just a school; it is an innovative incubator that strives to stimulate and educate young minds. If we could inspire just one child during our exhibition, who knows, we may bring about the next Banksy! What attracts you to Banksy? His subversive wit and willingness to look at the world afresh with playful authenticity, whilst never shying away from global issues. There is also beauty and complexity in something so simple. A lot of Banksy's work are simple designs and stencil based — yet they invoke such deep thought. Added to this, the nature of the street art and where the art is curated, offers another layer of beauty. Given some of the street art pieces are over 20 years old, the mediums in which these pieces were created deliver a visceral response. Bloom World Academy premises. What are the backstories of Running Coppers, Toxic Fuel and Secured? Banksy's works often mimic municipal signage in each of these three works. Is he simply poking fun at authority or is there a deeper message at play? Each of the pieces challenge traditional authoritative figures (police, parents, security guards) in a humourous way, insinuating their authority is nothing more than a mirage presented by flawed humans. What is the mandate of Wonderwall Fine Arts? Wonderwall is a response to a passion formed over two decades, and an intrinsic desire to honour the pieces within a stewardship. Wonderwall operates under three pillars - i) Preserve the irreplaceable — rescue, restore, immortalise. ii) Showcase the legacy — Through global exhibitions and galleries. iii) Curate history — Through our limited edition art offerings, ensuring the pieces and their meaning survive through avid collectors and admirers. What were your takeaways from World Art Dubai? It was both liberating and inspiring to see the reaction of the very few people who have ever had the opportunity to see a Banksy street artpiece in person! The excitement and anticipation visitors had when discovering the brand's offering, only further inspires us to deliver on our objectives. What is Dubai's place among the great world capitals of art? Although late to the party, it is clear that Dubai has a voracious appetite for contemporary art and has both the energy and enthusiasm to become a global leader! What do Dubai and Banksy have in common? Both Banksy's art and Dubai's culture are young and unencumbered with historical baggage ... neither are restrained by rules and both are motivated to look forward, not backward. Dubai and Banksy also challenge societal norms, looking to develop and be at the forefront of contemporary thinking.
