For Art Dubai 2023, five United Arab Emirates-based artists were shortlisted from more than 250 applications responding to an open call for a single artist to propose a new permanent public artwork for the Al Hudaiba area, overlooking the Etihad Museum and Union House, as part of Dubai Culture’s multi-year Public Art Strategy. Afra Al Dhaheri, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Asma Belhamar and Khalid Albanna chose to collaborate on a single installation that blended their creative ideas and artistic visions and conveyed the concepts of unity and cooperation.

The production of the large-scale installation Union of Artists was carried out by Factum following the collective concept proposed by the five artists. Factum had previously collaborated with artist Afra Al Dhaheri for her piece at Dubai Expo 2020. The sculpture draws inspiration from the traditional Emirati 'areesh', simple enclosures made from dried fronds of palm leaves and linked with ropes, where seven pillars represent the seven emirates in forming "the strength of union and cohesion in one entity, seamlessly interweaving with its adjacent pillar to create a complex yet complete and unified piece".

"Each artist has contributed a specific element to the sculpture. The scale and height of the work is drawn from Khaled Albanna’s initial proposal of a boat’s sail; the use of marble effect speaks to Afra Al Dhaheri’s practice; the pattern on the surface of the pillars is in Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim’s signature style; and the visual language is a combination of the architectural elements of Asma Belhamar’s practice and Shaikha Al Mazrou’s exploration of tension and the interplay between form and content." - from artdubai.ae

Renders of the 3D modeled columns © Factum Arte

Renders of the 3D modeled columns © Factum Arte

First test on a column section, coated in fiberglass and resin © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Arte

First test on a column section, coated in fiberglass and resin © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Arte

Overseen by Factum Arte's Francesco Cigognetti and engineering company Buro Happold, the complex structure was first conceived as seven separate columns, which were 3D modelled and CNC-milled in high-density polyurethane. To ensure structural stability and a reasonable weight of the overall piece, each column was then moulded in fibreglass and resin in order to cast "empty" shells that could be fitted over the galvanised steel structure after carefully studying the positioning and intertwining of each column. The remaining space inside each column was filled with polyurethane to further reinforce and protect the steel structure.

Factum Arte's team creating the positive "shell" of the column from the fiberglass mould © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Arte

Factum Arte's team creating the positive "shell" of the column from the fiberglass mould © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Arte

Marble finish tests © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Arte

To achieve the desired marble effect for the columns, Factum Arte's team developed a custom polymer blend using a mix of acrylic resin and a high percentage of marble powder, recreating the veining effect by hand. The result is a polished, smooth surface that closely resembles marble, and was coated in hydrorepellent sealant that will protect the installation against the elements.

The rubber-like bands that seemingly keep the structure together were created in high-density polyurethane and coated in bright orange and protective resin, and were strategically placed to further contribute to the sculpture's stability. 

Factum Arte's team completed the installation over 10 days in February 2024, and the piece debuted on February 26th as part of Art Dubai 2024 (1 - 6 March, 2024).