Public art  
  • Public sculpture: chess-inspired cube sculpture, Zabeel Park, Dubai
  • Cube sculpture balanced on a corner, Dubai
  • Detail of the chequered pattern
Chess-inspired giant cube sculpture, comprising 384 panels of copper and mirror-polished stainless steel. Public sculpture at Zabeel Park, Dubai Cone and armillary sphere public sculpture  at Zabeel Park, Dubai Cone and armillary sphere at Zabeel Park, DubaiOriginal drawings for public art at Zabeel Park, Dubai

Zabeel Park, Dubai

BRIEF: We were asked by Al Khatib Cracknell, one of the Middle East’s largest landscape architects, to quote on the construction of three major public sculpture designs for Zabeel Park, the biggest public park in the region.

David felt that some of the designs could be further developed, so he submitted a number of alternative solutions as well as suggesting embellishments to the originals.

SOLUTION: David developed three new sculptures designed to have a synergy with each other and with the site. One of these concepts was inspired by the region’s connections with the origins of chess, and incorporated mirror-polished stainless steel with copper to form a Rubik-like cube. His embellishments to the cone changed it from a rudimentary design to a more sophisticated and substantial piece. A team from the workshop travelled to Dubai to manage the installation and alignment of the public sculpture and sundial using local contractors.

CONCLUSION: A successful collaboration with the local landscape architect to bring a major installation in on time, on budget and to the Dubai client’s complete satisfaction.

‘’ Al Khatib Cracknell were impressed with the quality of the workmanship exhibited in David’s sculptures which was considered particularly important due to the harsh climatic conditions.’’
Paul Cracknell, Principal Landscape Architect


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