If you’re heading to Alserkal Avenue, make your way to Warehouse 81, where At First Sight at The A/P Room offers a more considered take on how design is experienced.

On view until 10 May, the exhibition focuses on collectible design, not as something immediate or trend-driven, but as objects that hold meaning over time. The setting reflects that idea. The space is carefully composed, allowing each piece to stand on its own, without distraction.

A Space That Invites You to Look Closer

There’s a quiet clarity to how At First Sight unfolds. Sculptural works in walnut and bronze anchor the main gallery, while a cabinet by Vincent Dubourg introduces a striking contrast in material and form.

Elsewhere, mid-century pieces sit alongside contemporary works, creating a natural dialogue across generations. Designers such as Faye Toogood and Gio Ponti appear throughout, but the focus remains on the objects themselves—how they occupy space, and how they are perceived.

As you move through the gallery, the atmosphere shifts subtly, from more defined, sculptural forms to quieter, more intimate works. Nothing feels rushed or overstated.

The Idea Behind the Exhibition

At First Sight explores the moment of recognition between a person and an object. Not instant attraction, but something more lasting—an instinct that deepens with time.

In contrast to a culture shaped by constant imagery, the exhibition places value on presence: how a piece feels within a space, how materials reveal themselves gradually, and how certain objects stay with you long after the first encounter.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

This exhibition offers something more grounded. It’s not about spectacle, but about clarity—, about understanding why certain pieces resonate, and why others don’t.

For anyone spending time in Alserkal Avenue, At First Sight is a reminder that design can be both functional and reflective, immediate yet enduring.