Game of Life
Dubai Design Week

Game of Life

  • Type: Installation

  • Size: 5.5x2.52 m

  • Location: Dubai Design Week

  • Year: 2023

Our new installation is a part of the UAE Designer Exhibition.

The concept was born from research into traditional Sadu patterns, developed by Arabian nomads. Sadu weaving, often a very simple juxtaposition of positive and negative elements, uses compositional and semantic conventions that govern the pattern-making, yet leave some room for the weaver’s imagination.

Staying away from the traditional rules of composition, I decided to explore a more mathematical approach based on the cellular automaton algorithm developed in 1970 by mathematician John Horton Conway.

To execute the concept, I collaborated with FBMI, an initiative that focuses on supporting Afghan artisans and underprivileged women with employment in the traditional carpet-production process. Every stage, from shearing the sheep to spinning the wool, hand-knotting the design, and trimming the pile of the finished rug, is carried out by hand.

Each design is unique and made to order, with both size and colours customisable. Agata has also created a series of prayer rugs.

The concept was originally exhibited at the Nomad Circle collectible design fair in Capri in the summer of 2023.

    Photography:

    Sebastian Böttcher

    Collaboration:

    FBMI / Zuleya