Amman:Amman Design Week 2026 is set to broaden its scope this year by hosting exhibitions and artistic programs in Iraq Al-Amir, west of the capital, and debuting in Aqaba. This initiative aims to intertwine design with nature, heritage, and local crafts through its diverse offerings.
According to Jordan News Agency, in Iraq Al-Amir, the event transitions from an urban backdrop to a lush valley encircled by olive terraces and archaeological sites. This area is known for its longstanding craft traditions, such as papermaking and weaving, maintained by the Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative Society.
The exhibitions are distributed across several venues, including Qasr Al-Abd, the Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative Society, and Naqsh Collective, focusing on the historical memory of the region and the interplay between local materials and sustainable manufacturing practices.
One of the highlights is artist Dima Srouji's installation, "Ahl Al-Bayt (The People of the House)," at Qasr Al-Abd. This work draws on early 20th-century accounts of the area's once-abundant water resources, imagining the palace's natural surroundings as its original inhabitants. The installation features fig fruits and glass snails crafted by Palestinian artisans, symbolizing the area's historical springs and streams.
Another notable installation is the "Lamella Series in Clay," presented by designers Qais Al-Rawi and Julia Körner. This piece combines local clay with 3D-printing techniques inspired by mushroom gills, exploring sustainable forms and manufacturing methods.
The Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative Society offers daily workshops in pottery, papermaking, weaving, and soap-making from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Jordanian dishes prepared by local women, with participation fees ranging from JD5 to JD15.
Jo Navigators is organizing free guided tours to Iraq Al-Amir on October 8, 10, and 16. These tours, departing from Al-Hangar in Ras Al-Ain, include visits to Naqsh Collective, the caves, and Qasr Al-Abd, showcasing Srouji's work, and conclude at the Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative Society. Participants can explore the area's archaeological, craft, and natural heritage.
In Aqaba, Amman Design Week is partnering with Wujoud Foundation for activities at Ayla Oasis. The program includes an exhibition, workshops, and public events that explore design in relation to the city's unique landscape and cultural heritage.
The exhibition in Aqaba, running until October 17, showcases works by Bahraini-Danish, New South, Tasneem Zureikat, and Yazeed Khaldoun Balqar. It highlights the cultural and material practices within the oasis and its layers of everyday life and memory.
The Aqaba event opens with a talk by Dr. Khaldoun Hijazin, followed by a guided tour of the installations. An open discussion themed "Accretions" will delve into the oasis as a transformative and exchange space. Wujoud Foundation, co-organizing the event, strives to establish the Red Sea region as a hub for creativity and dialogue, uniting contemporary Arab and international art practices.