‘Calder/Hiquily: Balancing Act' Exhibit to Open at Opera Gallery Dubai
The exhibition will explore the thematic intersections between the works of Alexander Calder and Philippe Hiquily, both of whom are renowned for their contributions to kinetic and sculptural art.
Opera Gallery Dubai is set to present 'Balancing Act', a new exhibition featuring works by American sculptor Alexander Calder and French artist Philippe Hiquily. Running from April 16th to May 4th, 2025, the exhibition will explore the thematic and formal intersections between the two artists, both of whom are widely recognised for their contributions to kinetic and sculptural art.
'Balancing Act' places the work of Calder and Hiquily in dialogue, highlighting shared artistic themes such as movement, balance, and anthropomorphic abstraction. While distinct in style and background, both artists employed playful and dynamic approaches to sculpture, engaging with the visual language of motion and spatial interaction.
Alexander Calder was a pioneering figure in kinetic sculpture, best known for inventing the mobile - a delicately balanced, moving structure. His mobiles and stabiles are characterised by geometric forms and bold primary colours, underscoring his interest in spontaneity, balance, and the relationship between form and space. Over the course of his career, Calder's work was featured in major retrospectives, including at the Guggenheim Museum (1964), the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC (1998–1999), and a joint exhibition by Pace Gallery and the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome (2013–2014). Calder passed away in New York in 1976 at the age of 78.
Philippe Hiquily, known for his surreal metal sculptures, brought together elements of modernism, surrealism, and kinetic art. His work often integrates mechanical aesthetics, with a focus on movement and balance. Hiquily's 'Girouettes' series is a defining part of his oeuvre, reflecting his interest with dynamic structures. His work is held in numerous public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Centre Pompidou (Paris), and the Hirshhorn Museum (Washington DC).
The exhibition underscores how both artists explore the poetry of movement through different materials and methods.
'We are delighted to bring together these two masters in Dubai—a city that itself balances tradition and innovation,' said Sylvain Gaillard, Director of Opera Gallery Dubai. 'Balancing Act is not just a title—it is the very essence of the exhibition. It invites visitors to explore how movement, space, and gravity are negotiated in the work of two influential sculptors.'
The exhibition will include six of Calder's works on paper, created using gouache and ink, such as Red Octopus (1971) and Fleurs (1970), alongside two of his mobiles: New Old Universe (1953) and Caged Stone on Yellow Stalk (1966). These will be exhibited alongside four of Hiquily's Girouette mobiles, including Cheng San and La Reorneadora, as well as large-scale sculptures like Grande Mimi Patte en l'air (1987). The show will also feature functional artworks by Hiquily, such as Console (2009) and Miroir aux nénettes (2003).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
5 hours ago
- CairoScene
Spritz at Sunset and Brunch with Flair at the Cairo Marriott Hotel
Spritz at Sunset and Brunch with Flair at the Cairo Marriott Hotel With new seasonal menus, themed nights, and curated drinks, the Cairo Marriott is offering a range of low-key summer experiences across its restaurants and lounges. The Cairo Marriott has rolled out a series of food and drink experiences this summer, spread across its restaurants, lounges, and bars. Some are new additions, while others are updated takes on familiar formats. Afternoon tea is now served daily in The Lounge from 12 to 5 PM. The menu includes a standard mix of tea, mini sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Coffee is also available throughout the day, including matcha, cold brew, iced lattes made with almond, coconut, or hazelnut milk, and much more. At 6 PM, Ristorante Tuscany switches to its Aperitivo menu. It's a shared format: a pitcher of spritz alongside an antipasti or charcuterie board for two. The Aperitivo runs until 8 PM and is priced at EGP 2,750 or EGP 2,950 depending on the board. Harry's Pub hosts a weekly 80s and 90s-themed night every Tuesday. The setup includes music, props, themed cocktails, and retro-style decor. The menu is built around cocktails priced at EGP 750 each. On weekends, the hotel runs a set brunch across Saraya Gallery, Tuscany, and JW Steakhouse. The menu starts with dishes like fried mozzarella and steak tartare, followed by pasta and steak with fries. Desserts include crème brûlée and tiramisu prepared at the table. Prices vary depending on the drink pairing: EGP 2,700 for juice and mocktails, EGP 3,500 with wine, and EGP 4,500 for the full cocktail pairing. Each drink list is tailored to the space, with some cocktails pulling from the palace's French and Egyptian history. Throughout the hotel, a new cocktail menu has been introduced. The drinks are available at multiple venues, and each comes with a short backstory written on the menu. In addition to the summer offerings, signature breakfasts remain available throughout the season. Guests can still indulge in the Empress Eugenie breakfast, or opt for the ultimate oriental spread at Egyptian Nights. For inquiries and bookings, please call 0227283000 or 0227394631.
CairoScene
12 hours ago
- CairoScene
Coccinelle Studios Debuts in Cairo With Soulful Home Details
Coccinelle Studios Debuts in Cairo With Soulful Home Details Founded by Cairo-based creatives Engy Kandil and Yasmine Montasser, Coccinelle is a home decor studio that favours a detail-first approach over fleeting trends. Their debut collection, composed of five cushions and two runners, captures the studio's core philosophy: design that respects tradition while speaking a contemporary language. 'We don't see modern and traditional as opposites. For us, they're part of the same conversation,' the founders said. This idea highlights the meeting point that shows up in every layer of Coccinelle's pieces: patchwork that feels both curated and intuitive, colour palettes that mix depth with lightness, and a balance of precision and imperfection only handmade work can offer. The brand's name - French for ladybug - was first suggested during a conversation about the launch collection's vibrant patterns. Minutes later, a ladybug landed on Kandil's hand. 'It felt like the clearest sign that this wasn't just the name of a debut collection - it would be the entire essence of what the brand would become,' Kandil told SceneHome. Montasser's artistic foundation and intuitive feel for materials and composition, combined with Kandil's spatial sensitivity and eye for design, materials, and details, formed the backbone of their brand. Early on, they visited places like Khayameya, Wekala, Darb 1718, and Khan El Khalili to immerse themselves in what local artisans were working on and to fully understand the range of techniques and materials available - ensuring they stayed grounded in their design context rather than creating in a bubble. That collaboration extends to the ground level of the process -selecting fabrics from Cairo's markets, coordinating with artisans, even testing out filling densities for the cushions. 'Our backgrounds complemented each other so well – from interiors and art to visuals and storytelling, we were able to handle almost everything in-house,' Montasser explained. While 'handcrafted' and 'heritage-inspired' have become marketing buzzwords, Coccinelle's work feels refreshingly grounded in its context. Their process often begins with a single fabric - sometimes one with personal meaning, like the vintage textile from Kandil's late grandmother that inspired their 'Eternal' cushion - and unfolds from there, one of their most meaningful pieces as proof of how something deeply personal can spark a whole creative journey. Colour, too, is not an afterthought but a core part of their identity. With anchor shades like plum, mustard, and olive, the team builds visual tension through contrasting tones, layered textures, and unusual combinations. 'We're obsessed with how colours interact, how they photograph in different lighting, and how they play out across various textures and patterns. The end result might look effortless, but the process behind it is anything but,' they added. Another key value is scarcity. By producing in limited batches, Coccinelle ensures each item maintains its individuality, allowing space for variation and artisanal nuance. As they explained, 'In a world where mass production often overshadows individuality, it's a reaction to the way mass production flattens everything.' In a landscape where design often races toward novelty, Coccinelle Studios slows things down - offering a thoughtful, tactile, and deeply personal vision of what the pieces your home holds can look like when you let colour, craft, and memory lead the way.
CairoScene
12 hours ago
- CairoScene
Nour Arida Steps Out in Retro Denim for Céline Spring 2026
Nour Arida attended Céline's Spring 2026 show in Paris on July 6, 2025, marking the brand's return after a two-year hiatus. Jul 08, 2025 Nour Arida was among the few international figures invited to the Céline Spring 2026 runway show during Paris Fashion Week on July 6, 2025, following a two-year hiatus by the brand. Wearing a full Céline look, Arida channeled retro glamour in a button-down denim mini dress with gold hardware, paired with a silk scarf wrapped around her hair and oversized black sunglasses. Arida, 35, is a Paris-based American-Lebanese model and brand ambassador. She began modeling at age 20 and signed with Elite Paris at 28. Her high-profile work includes fronting global beauty campaigns. In 2020, she also launched Generation Peace, a children's fashion brand. A regular at Paris Fashion Week, Arida has walked for Zadig & Voltaire, Nicolas Jebran, and Paco Rabanne. Most recently, she appeared at the Rabanne Fall/Winter 2025 show in March.
