NOMAD Abu Dhabi: look beyond the silhouette

NOMAD Abu Dhabi is scheduled for 18–22 November 2026 at Terminal 1 of the Old Abu Dhabi Airport on Ad Diyafah Street, according to the organiser. Its second Abu Dhabi edition also appears in the Department of Culture and Tourism’s 12 October season announcement. The fair brings together collectible design and contemporary art, making it a useful occasion to practise looking at objects beyond their first impression.

Begin with one object that makes you stop. Before reading the label, notice its shape, proportions and surface: what looks heavy, what seems delicate, and where your eye lands first. Then read who made it and how it is described. Keep your own observation separate from the maker’s explanation; the difference is often the start of a worthwhile conversation.

Ask about the material rather than guessing from a finish. A glossy surface may hide a construction method that is difficult to see from across a room. Useful questions include what the main parts are made from, how the finish is applied, and which marks are intentional. You do not need specialist vocabulary to ask a precise question.

Next, look at how the parts meet. Where does a leg connect to a seat? How does a lampshade attach to its support? Ask the gallery which details come from handwork and which from other production methods. The point is to understand the object’s construction, not to assume that one method automatically makes it better.

Separate appearance from intended use. If an object resembles a chair or table, ask whether it is intended for regular use, occasional use or display. Do not sit on, switch on or handle an exhibited work without permission. A furniture-shaped sculpture and an everyday chair can be equally interesting while asking very different things of a room.

If you are gathering ideas for your own space, take useful notes: maker, title, materials and the feature that interested you. Ask before photographing. Record dimensions only when the gallery provides them; a dramatic display can make scale hard to judge. A phone full of beautiful objects becomes much more useful when the names survive the journey home.

Before travelling, confirm the visitor arrangements for your intended day with NOMAD. The organiser’s current page lists the dates and old-terminal address, but the text available for this guide does not establish daily public hours, admission price or access on every date. Use the event’s specific venue details when planning the journey. These looking prompts are SIBRIS editorial suggestions, not an official programme or a recommendation to purchase.

Cover: an original AI-generated conceptual illustration of an imaginary design exhibition. The objects and pavilion are invented; they are not confirmed NOMAD exhibits, designer products or a photograph of the venue.