As we prepare for the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled a timely artistic collaboration with Emirati designer Khalid Shafar, with an exclusive art installation inspired by the passage of time.
The project – which comes as part of the Swiss watchmakers’ Made of Makers programme – sees Khalid Shafar interpreting the Maison’s celestial movements through Ramadan’s lunar cycle. What is of particular interest is the decision to blend traditional Emirati craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
The collaboration looks to pushing the boundaries of contemporary design by taking celestial inspiration from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s previous collections and adding in a dual perspective of the Ramadan lunar cycle via subtle design elements.
The pioneering Emirati designer already has a well-established reputation for his unique approach to furniture and object design, particularly when it comes to his fusion of Emirati cultural heritage and contemporary design elements – attempting to find that profound connection between form and function.
During the month of Ramadan, tracking the precise moments of sunrise and sunset is essential, as they dictate the daily rhythm of fasting and prayer. This reverence for time aligns seamlessly with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s rich watchmaking heritage, where the measurement of time has always been intrinsically linked to the movements of celestial bodies.
The collaboration is part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Made of Makers’ programme, which draws a parallel between the worlds of horology and art, fostering collaborations with artists, designers, and craftsmen from disciplines outside watchmaking, who share the Maison’s values of creativity, expertise, and precision. The programme challenges the perception of classical arts as static or bound to the past, instead emphasising their continuous reinvention and honouring them as a leading source of creativity today.