Bottega Veneta unveiled “Destinations” at NOMAD Abu Dhabi this month, presenting an exhibition that reflected on the symbolism and legacy of weaving. Staged in honour of the 50th anniversary of the house’s iconic Intrecciato technique, the showcase brought together eight creatives from across the Middle East and North Africa, each offering an individual response to the craft that has defined Bottega Veneta’s identity since 1975.
Curated by Rana Beiruti, the exhibition featured works by Abdalla Almulla, Amine Asselman, Esna Su, Nader Gammas, Shaha Raphael, and Zein Daouk, along with design studio Sayar & Garibeh and architectural office Bahraini—Danish. Their pieces spanned a wide range of materials from ceramic sheets and volcanic stone to interpretations inspired by traditional Emirati Areesh and palm-frond braiding. Several works incorporated reserve leather sourced directly from the Bottega Veneta atelier, echoing the house’s deep-rooted dedication to technique and materiality.
The exhibition also highlighted Bottega Veneta’s ties to Venice, a city historically shaped by exchange and movement. This spirit of encounter informed the exhibition title, “Destinations,” reflecting both the evolution of Intrecciato and the broader journeys – cultural, material, and artistic – that have shaped the house.
“The commissioned works reflected a wide variety of interpretations that honoured the Intrecciato weave while carrying gestures from the designers’ own personal styles,” said curator Rana Beiruti. “Some drew on regional heritage and weaving traditions, while others interpreted weaving beyond its physical expression, exploring the interlacing of ideas, narratives, and cultures.”
