Nestled among the superyachts and myriad other craft at the 25th Dubai International Boat Show, a unique marine-inspired art gallery has made a huge impact on its debut appearance.
With a serious enquiry for 56 stunning artworks crafted from Bohemian crystal, the Martine Art exhibition for VIP visitors is already certain to multiply next year.
Owner of Crystal Caviar, Marek Landa, brought the exhibition to Dubai for the show’s 25th anniversary on the recommendation of Ibrahim Farhat, Managing Director of official show sponsorship partner Gulf Marine Services.
“He told me, ‘Marek, you have so many fantastic pieces, you must go to Dubai. The Boat Show there is the perfect stage for you,” said Landa.
The result this week has been a collection of breathtaking marine themed art sculptures in Bohemian crystal – the most expensive worth 1.2M Euros (AED4.65M) – personal appearances by celebrity artists Jan Frydrych and VlastimilBeranek, and a display by one of the foremost Emirati artists, NajatMakki.
“When she visited us she fell in love with crystal and is now producing her own sculptures,” said Landa who started his business six years ago from a six square metre base in his native Czech Republic. “We were two people then, now we are 130, with 7,000 square metres of production space and galleries.”
The company started by producing art Bohemian luxury chandeliers, and now boasts art sculptures on 66 superyachts and a list of clients that includes Bill Clinton, Elton John, royal families and Russian oligarchs.
“Normally, there is no chance for the sculptures to be seen outside the yachts, so this was the perfect chance for visitors to realise one of the most beautiful of arts,” said Landa as the Dubai International Show headed for its spectacular finish at the close of the weekend.
“This is the first time a gallery is displaying marine-inspired artand it’s a fantastic start. We have a very serious enquiry from a GCC royal family for 56 pieces. Next year, while VIPs will of course be the main audience, we aim to open up part of the exhibition to other show visitors.”
Two of the Czech Republic’s finest artists visiting Dubai are already hugely successful. Frydrych’s work is displayed in many of the world’s most famous museums and is also found in the private collections of royal families, heads of state and celebrities, while Beranek is credited with the largest Bhoemian crystal sculpture in the world at 260kg.
