Fire & Ice installation by Louis Thompson | Fairmont Hotel | Doha
13th October 2025
Fire & Ice installation by Louis Thompson | Provok Restaurant | Fairmont Hotel | Doha
Completed in 2022, the ambitious FIRE & ICE commission was created by Louis Thompson, in collaboration with Hanne Enemark, for the Fairmont Doha’s FIRE & ICE Restaurant (since renamed to Provok).
Conceived by consultants Artlink and project managed by Vessel Gallery, Artlink’s design was to create two vast complimentary installations;
'Our concept for the two mirroring walls embodied the metamorphosis of glass inspired by the design of the restaurant, moving from cold icy breeze to the hot flames of fire used in the crafting process. Depending on the sun's position and intensity, the effect of the natural light through the glass produces ever-changing tones of oranges and blues, culminating in two distinct yet equally captivating visual experiences within a single space'.
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FIRE installation
Totalling an astonishing 126 handblown and sculpted artworks, Thompson’s artistic concept drew inspiration from the history and landscape of Qatar, which resulted in not only opulence for the hotel’s interior, but forged a link with the natural splendour of its luxurious setting.
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ICE installation
Overseeing the execution, Vessel Gallery managed the logistics & timings. Involved at every stage, from the initial inspection of all technical drawings & specifications, creating plans to visually bring to life the artist’s concept, to the final extensive palletising & shipping, all aspects for the project were meticulously presided over.
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FIRE & ICE concept plan
The monumental architectural design of the restaurant - situated on the 33 floor - was designed to incorporate expansive windows with purpose built industrial structures, to house the two opposed installations, each showcasing a mesmerising gradient of tones and hues. FIRE begins with bronze, ochre and tan, transitioning to ambers and oranges, ascending to intense reds, echoing the blazing desert sun. By contrast, ICE, a spectrum of cool colours, from aquamarines and azure to violets, evoking the tranquil depths of the ocean.
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The artist's colour concept | ICE sea green to amethyst | FIRE deep red to sand
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Blown colour samples
Located at such an impressive height within the hotel, placed behind a transparent window barrier, harnesses the transformative power of natural daylight on each artwork. Moving its position throughout the day, the sun's rays change in intensity, creating an ever-changing array of colours. At sunset, enchanted by a backdrop of the darkening night sky, the tones become ever more spectacular and sumptuous.
In the words of the artist;
“My ambition for the project was to bring Qatar, its environment, its history, its land and its landscape in particular, from the outside into the space, and make a connection between the inside space and the outside environment. I looked at references to Qatari architecture and artefacts, trying to bring together the old and the new and sort of celebrating that through my work. Each piece I made evolved from the one before it. There’s a relationship between the object, the process and the concept.”
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FIRE & ICE artist's concept drawings
Literally bringing the outside inside, Thompson encapsulated the Qatari landscape in each object. For FIRE, sand was used from the Qatari desert, arranged in patterns reminiscent of undulating dunes. For ICE, sand was sourced from Qatari beaches, encasing patterns of intricate reefs and sandy shores. Suspended within each glass object, these trapped fine trails of sand not only add glittering decoration but also serve to capture a suspended moment in time.
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Encasing Qatari sand in glass
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Qatari sand in glass
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Finished artworks with encased Qatari sand
The larger-scale works were blown to contain a multitude of intricate glass threads coated with precious metals, serving as a tribute to Qatar's rich historical legacy of metalworking. Warm-toned 22 ct gold for FIRE and cool-toned platinum for their ICE counterparts.
![]()
Larger scaled works with intricate glass threads with 22 ct gold and platinum
With every detail carefully considered, the forms within each installation were conceived to pay homage to the diversity to be found in the Qatari culture, landscape and vibrant heritage. Reflecting its architecture alongside its natural wonders.
![]()
Sketches by the artist inspired by local architecture and objects. Left to right, top to bottom | Islamic ceramic water bottle | Coffee pots | Traditional Doha Pigeon House | Doha Souq Wafif Arches | Burj Doha Tower | The Hyperbolic Tower
Intertwining artistry with the essence of its setting, FIRE & ICE stands as a testament to the relationship between environment and art. Through master craftsmanship this installation serves not only as a stunning visual spectacle but also as a heartfelt homage to the timeless beauty of Qatar.
Further information on Louis Thompson | Enemark & Thompson | Hanne Enemark | Artlink
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Finished FIRE & ICE installation (detail)
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Louis Thompson & Hanne Enemark
Images courtesy of Artlink and Louis Thompson
Completed in 2022, the ambitious FIRE & ICE commission was created by Louis Thompson, in collaboration with Hanne Enemark, for the Fairmont Doha’s FIRE & ICE Restaurant (since renamed to Provok).
Conceived by consultants Artlink and project managed by Vessel Gallery, Artlink’s design was to create two vast complimentary installations;
'Our concept for the two mirroring walls embodied the metamorphosis of glass inspired by the design of the restaurant, moving from cold icy breeze to the hot flames of fire used in the crafting process. Depending on the sun's position and intensity, the effect of the natural light through the glass produces ever-changing tones of oranges and blues, culminating in two distinct yet equally captivating visual experiences within a single space'.
FIRE installation
Totalling an astonishing 126 handblown and sculpted artworks, Thompson’s artistic concept drew inspiration from the history and landscape of Qatar, which resulted in not only opulence for the hotel’s interior, but forged a link with the natural splendour of its luxurious setting.
ICE installation
Overseeing the execution, Vessel Gallery managed the logistics & timings. Involved at every stage, from the initial inspection of all technical drawings & specifications, creating plans to visually bring to life the artist’s concept, to the final extensive palletising & shipping, all aspects for the project were meticulously presided over.
FIRE & ICE concept plan
The monumental architectural design of the restaurant - situated on the 33 floor - was designed to incorporate expansive windows with purpose built industrial structures, to house the two opposed installations, each showcasing a mesmerising gradient of tones and hues. FIRE begins with bronze, ochre and tan, transitioning to ambers and oranges, ascending to intense reds, echoing the blazing desert sun. By contrast, ICE, a spectrum of cool colours, from aquamarines and azure to violets, evoking the tranquil depths of the ocean.
The artist's colour concept | ICE sea green to amethyst | FIRE deep red to sand
Blown colour samples
Located at such an impressive height within the hotel, placed behind a transparent window barrier, harnesses the transformative power of natural daylight on each artwork. Moving its position throughout the day, the sun's rays change in intensity, creating an ever-changing array of colours. At sunset, enchanted by a backdrop of the darkening night sky, the tones become ever more spectacular and sumptuous.
In the words of the artist;
“My ambition for the project was to bring Qatar, its environment, its history, its land and its landscape in particular, from the outside into the space, and make a connection between the inside space and the outside environment. I looked at references to Qatari architecture and artefacts, trying to bring together the old and the new and sort of celebrating that through my work. Each piece I made evolved from the one before it. There’s a relationship between the object, the process and the concept.”
FIRE & ICE artist's concept drawings
Literally bringing the outside inside, Thompson encapsulated the Qatari landscape in each object. For FIRE, sand was used from the Qatari desert, arranged in patterns reminiscent of undulating dunes. For ICE, sand was sourced from Qatari beaches, encasing patterns of intricate reefs and sandy shores. Suspended within each glass object, these trapped fine trails of sand not only add glittering decoration but also serve to capture a suspended moment in time.
Encasing Qatari sand in glass
Qatari sand in glass
Finished artworks with encased Qatari sand
The larger-scale works were blown to contain a multitude of intricate glass threads coated with precious metals, serving as a tribute to Qatar's rich historical legacy of metalworking. Warm-toned 22 ct gold for FIRE and cool-toned platinum for their ICE counterparts.
Larger scaled works with intricate glass threads with 22 ct gold and platinum
With every detail carefully considered, the forms within each installation were conceived to pay homage to the diversity to be found in the Qatari culture, landscape and vibrant heritage. Reflecting its architecture alongside its natural wonders.
Sketches by the artist inspired by local architecture and objects. Left to right, top to bottom | Islamic ceramic water bottle | Coffee pots | Traditional Doha Pigeon House | Doha Souq Wafif Arches | Burj Doha Tower | The Hyperbolic Tower
Intertwining artistry with the essence of its setting, FIRE & ICE stands as a testament to the relationship between environment and art. Through master craftsmanship this installation serves not only as a stunning visual spectacle but also as a heartfelt homage to the timeless beauty of Qatar.
Further information on Louis Thompson | Enemark & Thompson | Hanne Enemark | Artlink
Finished FIRE & ICE installation (detail)
Louis Thompson & Hanne Enemark
Images courtesy of Artlink and Louis Thompson