On the occasion of the International Dubai Art Fair in March, designers Zid Zid Kids will team with artist Yto Barrada to design an interactive lounge. The space called “Morocco to the Moon” will take visitors on a warm and whimsical trip to the moon, outer-space and beyond. An artist project sponsored exclusively by Louis Vuitton and Art Dubai.

Morocco on the moon

The lounge will be an interactive installation inspired by the 1950’s universe of astronauts, space monsters and space robots – where kids and adults can explore, get creative and even enjoy an ice cream in a unique way. The space will allow for beautifully stimulating and imaginative children’s play by offering one of kind Zid Zid designs and furniture, incorporating interactive features, showing film projections and by offering stimulating art workshops and a café.

The space will inspire ‘free play’ and space exploration through the use of various dimensions : A handmade Spaceship to investigate, Space boxes to open and explore, Charming tent spaces to discover, Interactive photo booth, Cinema space for short films, Chalkboard walls for drawing and writing, etc.

There will be vibrant workshops planned for visiting children (Zid Zid Kids’ Color Me Robot Cushions,  Zid Zid Kids’ Color Me Robot Masks) as well as artist giveaways : visitors will be offered unique limited edition gifts upon their visit to the space (Handmade Limited Edition Space Coloring Book signed by the artists, Branded buttons with printed graphics).

 The Artists

Yto Barrada was born in Paris in 1971 and educated in Tangier. She later studied history and political science at the Sorbonne, Paris and photography at the International Centre of Photography, New York. Her recent exhibitions of photography and video include Art Dubai, the Fowler Museum (Los Angeles), the MoMA (San Francisco and New York), Jeu de Paume (Paris), and the 2007 Venice Biennale. In 2006, Barrada was awarded the first Ellen Auerbach Award in Berlin and was shortlisted for the Deutsche Boerse Photography Prize. Her book, “A Life Full of Holes – The Strait Project,” was published by Autograph ABP in 2005. She is the artistic director and co-founder of the Cinematheque de Tanger.

Julie Klear Essakalli is the co-founder and creative director of Zid Zid Kids, an award winning global children’s brand of handmade toys and accessories which is distributed globally and based in Marrakech, Morocco. Combining traditional and modern manufacturing techniques, Ms. Klear Essakalli creates the Zid Zid Kids line of environmentally gentle products for children using the strictest levels of quality. Each design she creates holds the spark of imagination for each child with a high end, handmade touch.

Moulay-Ahmed Essakalli is the CEO of Zid Zid Kids. Since 2005, Mr. Essakalli’s vision has been to make a global marketplace impact by embracing high design standards for children and marrying them with sustainable manufacturing practices.

Zid Zid Kids designs have received international recognition from top trade shows, publications, boutique stores and are loved by families worldwide. Their numerous accolades include Best Children’s Product at Maison & Objet Paris, Best Lifestyle Product Line at Kleine Fabriek Amsterdam. In 2010, he was presented with the American Global Entrepreneurship Award by President Obama.