As part of Dubai Design Week 2025, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, the School of Jewellery Arts, unveils “Poetry of Birds” — an exhibition that merges art, jewellery, and poetry to reflect on the timeless symbolism of birds as emblems of freedom, renewal, and the human spirit. The exhibition opens on 6 November 2025 and runs until 25 April 2026 at L’ÉCOLE Middle East, located in Building 10 of Dubai Design District (d3).
Following successful editions in Paris and Tokyo, the Dubai presentation marks a significant step in L’ÉCOLE’s growing presence in the region. Curated by Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, the exhibition takes inspiration from The Conference of the Birds, the 12th-century Sufi masterpiece by Farīd al-Dīn ʿAṭṭār. Through this poetic lens, the exhibition invites visitors to journey through transformation, discovery, and artistic transcendence — themes that connect the East and West across centuries.
“Birds have always embodied freedom and spirit,” Cassius-Duranton explains. “Through this exhibition, we wanted to show how these symbols take flight through art, poetry, and jewellery, linking cultures and histories through shared imagination.”
The exhibition presents a remarkable dialogue between 19th- and 20th-century Western jewellery and Islamic art. Historic pieces from renowned jewellery houses — including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati, Fabergé, Boivin, Marchak, Falize, and JAR — are displayed alongside traditional Islamic artworks loaned from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and Dubai Museums. Visitors will encounter delicate ceramics, intricate metalwork, radiant miniatures, and woven carpets that echo the rhythm of avian grace.
Adding a contemporary Emirati voice to the dialogue, Faisal Al Rais presents his photography publicly for the first time. His images bring an intimate reflection on light, motion, and symbolism — bridging modern creativity with deep-rooted cultural meaning.
According to Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, “Poetry of Birds is not only an exhibition — it’s an invitation to dream. It’s where heritage and innovation meet, where craftsmanship becomes poetry, and where art becomes a universal language.”
In addition to the exhibition, L’ÉCOLE Middle East will host an Open House Day on 8 November, offering guided tours, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. This initiative aims to make the world of jewellery arts accessible to all — from enthusiasts and students to families and curious visitors.
Through “Poetry of Birds”, Dubai Design Week gains a contemplative dimension — a celebration of imagination that unites history, artistry, and emotion. As the exhibition unfolds, it reminds audiences that beauty, much like a bird in flight, knows no boundaries.
Exhibition Dates: 6 November 2025 – 25 April 2026
Location: L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Dubai Design District (d3), Building 10
