Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons

The Genius of the M.A.D. Gallery

Where Horology Meets Art

What happens when one of the most inventive Swiss watchmakers turns its attention to mechanical art? The M.A.D. Gallery, curated by MB&F and located at Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, offers an extraordinary exploration of where the worlds of horology and art collide. It has become a destination for collectors and art enthusiasts alike, who appreciate the boundless creativity that defines this unique space.

MB&F—short for Maximilian Büsser and Friends—has long been known for its pioneering approach to watchmaking. Since its inception in 2005, the independent Swiss brand has continually pushed the boundaries of design, creating timepieces that challenge traditional notions of how a watch should look or function. Their creations blur the line between functional mechanics and conceptual art.

The M.A.D. Gallery, first launched in Geneva in 2011, expanded that vision beyond watches, presenting a collection of mechanical art from creators around the world. By combining horological precision with avant-garde artistry, the gallery showcases works that celebrate the marriage of aesthetics and mechanics in ways few could have imagined.

MEDUSA BY MB&F + L’EPÉE 1839

A notable collaboration between MB&F and L’Epée 1839 resulted in Medusa, a mechanical creation that blends timekeeping with organic artistry. Inspired by the ethereal beauty of a jellyfish, the piece features a hand-blown Murano glass dome that houses two rotating rings to display the time. The glass, combined with the pulsing movement of the mechanism, mimics the fluid motion of a jellyfish drifting through water. With its tentacle-like extensions, Medusa is both a functional clock and a stunning piece of art, highlighting the beauty of nature and the precision of horology.

NIXIE MACHINE III BY FRANK BUCHWAL

Frank Buchwald’s Nixie Machine III exemplifies the intersection of industrial design and retro-futurism. Buchwald, originally a science-fiction illustrator, brought his mechanical vision to life with this piece, using Nixie tubes—vintage-style indicators that glow with an orange light. The design combines a warm, nostalgic glow with the stark, metallic structure of industrial machinery. It serves as both a clock and a piece of art, evoking a blend of past technology and futuristic aesthetic.

MECRE BY GABY WORMANN

MeCre, short for Mechanical Creatures, is a striking series of sculptures by artist Gaby Wormann. Wormann’s works are known for merging natural elements with mechanical components, creating intricate hybrids of insects and machines. Using delicate clockwork mechanisms, she constructs lifelike exoskeletons of creatures like butterflies and scorpions, making them appear as though they are part of a futuristic entomological study. Wormann’s creations explore the relationship between nature and technology, presenting mechanical art in a way that is both thought-provoking and visually captivating.

STINGRAY BY APICAL REFORM

Stingray, crafted by India-based design studio Apical Reform, is an example of how mechanical art can mimic the grace and fluidity of nature. This kinetic sculpture captures the undulating motion of a stingray gliding through the ocean. Its movements are powered by an electronic motor that brings the mechanical parts to life in a hypnotic, flowing motion. Stingray represents the harmony between engineering and nature, demonstrating how mechanical structures can evoke a sense of natural beauty.Since its opening, the M.A.D. Gallery has continued to be a beacon of innovation, presenting pieces that push the boundaries of both art and engineering. By celebrating the mechanical, it offers a platform for creators who see beauty in motion and precision, showcasing the convergence of function and form in entirely unexpected ways.The gallery’s collection stands as a testament to the limitless creativity that exists when art and mechanics come together. From jellyfish-inspired clocks to hybrid mechanical insects, the M.A.D. Gallery invites visitors to reconsider what’s possible when timekeeping and artistic imagination meet. It’s more than just a gallery—it’s a celebration of ingenuity, where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.

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