Artist and designer Catrinel Sabaciag will present her work for the first time in the Middle East at Dubai Index, stand 2D90, from May 27th to 29th. Known for creating sculptural pieces that blur the line between light and form, utility and contemplation, Sabaciag marks the first eight years of practice with a selection of works that trace her evolving language. Alongside key pieces from past collections, she will unveil new works including the In Bloom pendant lamp, a final piece from the Morfoza series, and the new Zenit lamp.

Morfoza

Morfoza is the result of seven years of exploration into materials and optics. Crafted from aluminium and inox in Transylvania, this wall-mounted light sculpture uses a combination of humble materials, such as transparent plastic foams, foils, and crystals. While these elements may seem unassuming, when layered between optical filters inside the piece, they interact with light to reveal vibrant, shifting hues. Importantly, Morfoza uses no colored light—only pure white light. Through refraction and interference, colours unfold from within it, a quiet reminder that the full visible spectrum is already held within what appears neutral.

The viewer is invited to rotate the central frame, a gesture that subtly alters the light's intensity and colour. This act of participation makes each encounter unique, transforming a static object into a responsive, engaging event. By reframing how we see everyday materials, Morfoza questions our assumptions about beauty and worth. Each piece is hand-finished and produced in a limited edition of eighty-eight.

In recognition of its innovation and craftsmanship, Morfoza was awarded the LIT Design Award for Accent Decorative Lamps in 2024 and received the Transylvanian Design Award in 2023.

InBloom

Making its debut at Index Dubai, the InBloom pendant lamp is the newest piece in the Onda collection—an exploration of light, movement, and iridescence. Inspired by the gentle gesture of a flower opening, the piece holds a central light source nestled like a pistil between two dichroic glass disks. When illuminated, light travels in two directions: upward, it passes through dichroic glass disks, scattering shifting colours across the ceiling in a quiet, ever-changing blooming; downward, it offers a more focused, functional beam. The result is a lamp that balances atmosphere with clarity—both sculptural and purposeful, atmospheric and precise.

Zenit

Created specifically for the Index Dubai, the Zenit lamp draws inspiration from the natural landscape of the region, capturing the colours of the dunes and the warmth of the desert sun. This piece marks a first for Catrinel Sabaciag, incorporating only natural materials—onyx, brass, fused glass, and a unique crystal sourced from the heart of Transylvania. The onyx base, crafted into a triangle, sits parallel to the ground, with carefully slotted fused glass sheets that present several versions of gradient hues, reminiscent of sunsets in the Arabic territory. A brass disc anchors the opposite side, where the crystal allows light to pass through, creating a subtle, decorative glow. The Zenit lamp offers two lighting options: a focused beam from the central light, or a softer, ambient light that travels through the stone edge, creating a versatile piece that’s both functional and evocative.

Murmur

In addition to the individual pieces, Sabaciag will present a sample of a large-scale installation inspired by the murmuration of birds. This evocative piece, composed of many small dichroic elements, creates shifting reflections and colours as it interacts with the surrounding environment. Ideal for architectural settings, the installation can be customised to suit specific spaces, creating a dynamic and evolving effect. The Murmur installation invites contemplation, shifting like the movement of nature itself.

Technical sheet

Index Dubai, World Trade Centre, May 27 to 29, 2025, Stand 2D90

Production collaborators: CCI Technology, PMA Invest

Photographer: Radu Selcudean, Oana Andreea Cristurean