At Qasr Al-Abd, Dima Srouji's work "Ahli Al-Beit" (The People of the House) draws inspiration from diaries dating back to 1904, describing the abundance of water for which the region was famous at the time. The work imagines the elements of nature surrounding the palace as the original "people of the house." Among the ruins of the palace, glass figs and snails crafted by Palestinian artisans are scattered, signaling the springs, streams, and natural life that have shaped the features of the region over centuries.
As for the work "Clay Lamella Series" by Qais Al-Rawi and Julia Körner, it blends local clay with 3D printing techniques. The work derives its form from mushroom gills, exploring the possibility of employing systems found in nature to develop more sustainable forms and manufacturing methods.
The Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative Society opens its doors to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors can participate in workshops for pottery, handmade paper, weaving, and soap making, in addition to tasting traditional Jordanian dishes prepared by local women. Participation fees for activities range between 5 and 15 Jordanian Dinars.
"Jo Navigators" is also organizing a free guided tour to Iraq Al-Amir on October 8, 10, and 16, departing from The Hangar in Ras Al-Ain. The tour takes participants between Naqsh Collective, the caves, and Qasr Al-Abd, where Srouji's work is displayed, ending at the Iraq Al-Amir Women's Cooperative Society, offering them an opportunity to learn about the region through its antiquities, crafts, nature, and local community.
In Aqaba, Amman Design Week arrives for the first time at Ayla Oasis, in partnership with "Wujood," through an exhibition, workshops, and public programs that explore design in the context of the city and the specificity of its natural landscape and cultural heritage.
The exhibition includes four works by Bahraini-Danish, Al-Janoub Al-Jadeed, Teneen Zureikat, and Yazeed Khaldoun Belqar, and runs from October 8 to 17. Each work starts from a different cultural and material practice to interact with the oasis and the layers of daily practices, material environments, and cultural memory it holds.
The Amman Design Week program in Aqaba opens on October 8 with a talk presented by Dr. Khaldoun Hijazin. The participating designers will lead the audience on a tour of the installations, followed by an open discussion session addressing the theme of the 2026 edition, "Accumulations," and the oasis as a space for transformation and exchange.
"Wujood" hosts Amman Design Week and co-organizes its events held in Aqaba. The institution is located on the Gulf of Aqaba and works to provide a space for creativity and artistic and cultural experiences, bringing together contemporary Arab artistic visions and global artistic practices. It also seeks to build bridges between various artistic disciplines and contribute to establishing the Red Sea region as a center for creativity and dialogue.
