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Monday 28 June 2010

Old comics

Cleaning up a brimming inbox and found this among the sent files. An old comics I worked on which was supposed to be for a weekly gadgets rag in Dubai, but got cancelled. Oh well. Just remember, this was like three years ago. Enjoy!

Wednesday 23 June 2010

IF: Paisley


A few critters got into my paisley. What am I do? 
A hundred they'll tally, it'll be a zoo!

Wednesday 16 June 2010

"Sketch" at the Jamjar!


"Sketch" is an evening of live sketching and art making and offers the local arts community a place to congregate, talk, create and be seen, with the request for artists to simply drop in, register and start creating.

The final work(s) will be put up for sale on the walls of thejamjar as and when the artist has completed their piece – and the artists are encouraged to produce as many pieces as they wish throughout the evening. The end result being that the art is instantly made more accessible to attending customers and by individually pricing each piece, making them independently affordable and attainable.

The registration fee is AED 40 and all basic materials needed for the event will be provided. NEW price structure for art – all prices now restricted between AED10 – AED150

All art created at the event is for sale and will be displayed until the event closes.

This event offers patrons and art lovers an opportunity to see local artists at work and get acquainted with them on a personal and interactive level – as well as it being an ideal way for artists and designers to meet each other in a social environment and be inspired by each others creative process.

Fn looks forward to seeing as many art lovers as possible in attendance at the ‘Sketch’ event, to support the idea and the artists alike. This art-social event promises to be the next big art-driven event in Dubai.

 

thejamjar

T | +971 (0)4 341 7303
F | +971 (0)4 341 7304
E |
info@thejamjardubai.com
www.thejamjardubai.com
PO Box 27554, Dubai, UAE.

St. 17a, Between Habitat & Chevrolet Insportz
 Behind Dubai Garden Centre
 Exit 39, Sheikh Zayed Road from Dubai
 Exit 42, Sheikh Zayed Road towards Dubai
Gulf First Bank Metro Station

For directions and a location map go to
www.thejamjardubai.com/index1.html
 
Opening hoursOffice: Sunday - Thursday, 9am - 6pm
Studio: Monday - Thursday, Saturday 10am - 8pm; Friday 2pm - 8pm; Sunday CLOSED

Watani expands Summer Camp profile

The popular Summer Camp programme of Watani, the UAE’s unique celebration of national identity, is back again with an action-packed calendar offering greater opportunities for children to learn new skills and re-discover themselves in an atmosphere of fun and creativity.




Over 420 children aged seven to 12 are expected to attend the camps, which will be held from June 19 to July 8 in Dubai and from July 11 to July 21 in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, under the title ‘United in creativity and knowledge,' reflecting one of the key pillars of Vision 2021, which aims to make the UAE among the best nations in the world by year 2021.
An exciting array of events will keep children active and occupied at the camp while also bringing them closer to their roots and heritage, and encouraging them to venture out beyond classroom learning. Field trips and sessions organised as part of the camp will enable participants to learn more about their living environment as well as the latest advances in science.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Mansoori, Director General of Watani said: "Watani's Summer Camps are an ideal platform to develop and shape responsible, knowledgeable citizens of the future. The Camps not only help children develop their hobbies and interests into meaningful pursuits but also inculcate in them a sense of national pride and identity.  
" Through the Summer Camp, we aim to align the aspirations of children in line with the goals outlined by UAE Vision 2021 and link them to the country's cultural values. These camps are indeed one of the best investments in our future," he added.

Among the highlights of the Camps this year are the “Watani Space” Programme organised in co-operation with Emirates Institution for Science and Advanced Technology, and “Watani Skies”, which will be presented by the Dubai Aviation Academy.  

Field trips to hospitals and training sessions on radiation prevention and healthy diets will also be part of the programme, as strengthening awareness on health is critical to individual and social hygiene. A mechanic workshop will be introduced to provide children with essential information on car components and electronics.  

Environment and heritage as well as prudent use of resources will also be a major theme of the Camp this year. Students will be taken on trips to Masdar, ADNOC, Jumeirah Beach Park and the Dubai Dolphinarium to enable them understand the importance of these issues and the priority being accorded to them by the UAE as part of its commitment to sustainable development.

About Watani:

Watani Program was launched on December 2, 2005 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the UAE's national identity and practices of good citizenship within the UAE's diverse and multicultural society. The program organizes and implements various educational, entertainment, and media activities that are directed to the youth, women and children. The activities and campaigns organized by Watani are carried out by a number of volunteers and public interest advocates in the UAE. 

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Summer camp for kids at DLC

Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment, today announced the dates for its annual Kids Summer Camp. Each batch will run for two weeks and will bring together three renowned names – Kidzart, Mad Science & Playball – that have designed a summer program that will immerse students in a wide range of extra curricular events so that they spend their time effectively while learning something.

Now in its sixth season, the Kids Summer Camp, which is held at The Art Centre in Dubai Ladies Club, has become hugely popular as a place where children can develop new interests, gain exposure, choose a new direction, and make lifelong friends. The camp is open to boys and girls between 6 – 11 years.

Maryam Al Ghurair, Art Centre Executive at Dubai Ladies Club said, “This year’s program will target three fields - Arts, Sciences and Sports – with structured training and exercise that are designed to be not only fun but also to further develop their social, physical, intellectual and artistic abilities.”

Enrolment for the Summer Camp is now open. The first batch will begin from 4 July until 15 July, 2010. The second batch will commence on 18 July until 29 July, 2010. While the third and final batch will commence on 1 August until 12 August, 2010. Camp activities will be conducted from Sunday through Thursday, 9:00am-12:00pm. Fees for the two-week summer camp is AED700 per child for Dubai Ladies Club members and AED750 per child for non-members.


To register and to make an enquiry please contact our Customer Service Representatives at The Art Centre in Dubai Ladies Club by calling +971 4 349 9922 or email artcentre@dubailadiesclub.com.

IF: Ripple

Thursday 10 June 2010

“Made in Tashkeel” exhibition

Founded in January 2008 by Lateefa bint Maktoum, and nestled amongst the leafy streets of Nad Al-Sheba, Tashkeel is an inspirational haven of calm and tranquility for the UAE’s art community, committed to inspiring art and design practice, cross-cultural dialogue and creative exchange.

“Made in Tashkeel”, an annual showcase of work by Tashkeel members, workshop participants and exhibiting artists, runs from Wednesday 9th June through to Thursday 16th September. The exhibition will highlight the exceptional creativity that Tashkeel is committed to encourage, and will feature a diverse collection of work that includes jewellery, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and textiles.


“This is a great opportunity for our members to show their work, and many regular Tashkeel members are taking part in the exhibition alongside others who have great potential,” said Lateefa bint Maktoum, founder of Tashkeel and an accomplished artist in her own right. “This show embodies the essence of Tashkeel, which is to give artists and designers the opportunity to interact with artists from many different cultural backgrounds and experiences, including leading local, regional and international professionals who have been working in the field of art for decades as well as young artists who are just starting their careers.”

Among the many works on show at the exhibition are paintings by French artist Jean-Charles Yaich, a Tashkeel member since January 2010 who, in addition to practicing his own painting, teaches a weekly workshop at Tashkeel. Along with a certain degree of abstraction, Jean-Charles works with line and form, from drawing in ink to oil painting. 


Also on display is the work of Indian sculptor, printmaker and illustrator Debjani Bhardwaj, a Tashkeel member since 2008, who works across a diverse range of media, building her ‘stories’ in clay or inks and layering the surfaces with textures.

Another Tashkeel member who has gone on to receive international recognition for her work, having sold her last collection to major stores in New York, London and Milan, is British textile designer Felicity Brown. Felicity has designed for Alberta Ferretti, Lanvin, Loewe and Mulberry and has been selected to show at ‘New Generation’, part of London Fashion Week, in September 2010.

More creative diversity comes in the form of young Emirati artist Maitha Demithan, whose work has, over the last year, been included in exhibitions in Berlin, Brisbane, New York and Venice as well as at Art Dubai.

Also included in the exhibition are individual pieces by German jeweller Lia Staehlin who, in addition to creating her own unique hand-made jewellery collections and one of a kind jewellery items for her customers, enjoys a second field teaching jewellery design and goldsmithing, and runs workshops at Tashkeel throughout the year. 

The exhibition, which is supported by an online catalogue available at www.tashkeel.org, is open from 10 am to 8 pm Saturday to Thursday, and admission is free.

About Tashkeel:
Founded in January 2008 by Lateefa bint Maktoum, and nestled amongst the leafy streets of Nad Al-Sheba, Tashkeel is an inspirational haven of calm and tranquility for the UAE’s art community. An independent resource for artists and designers living and working in the United Arab Emirates, Tashkeel is committed to inspiring art and design practice, cross-cultural dialogue and creative exchange.

Studio facilities available to members include a print making studio, fully-equipped computer laboratory (with graphic design, interior design and architectural software and video editing facilities) a darkroom, photo studio (complete with backdrop and lights) and a large, airy fine arts studio plus sewing machines, wireless internet and jewellery making stations. In addition to the studio resources, there is an up to date international journal / reference library plus a members room, art supplies and equipment rental store and a gallery that is open to the public. Tashkeel also organises regular creative workshops (open to both members and non-members) led by practicing artists.

Being a member at Tashkeel gives artists and designers the opportunity to interact with artists from many different cultural backgrounds and experiences, including leading local, regional and international professionals who have been working in the field of art for decades to young artists who are just starting their careers. Tashkeel firmly believes that this interaction is vital in order for artists to develop their work and their artistic techniques, as it gives inexperienced artists the unique opportunity to take part in workshops led by highly accredited professional artists such as Sacha Jafri, Azza Al Qubassi and Huda Smitshuijzen Abi Fares. They also can volunteer to work hands on with artists to assist with the set up of large complex installations for exhibitions at Tashkeel.

Tashkeel members that have claimed their places in the international art world include Reem Al Ghaith (whose work has been shown internationally, and this year is appearing at the Centre Pompidou in France and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York) and the renowned British textile designer Felicity Brown (who has designed for Alberta Ferretti, Lanvin, Loewe and Mulberry and whose work has been seen on international catwalks all around the world).

Membership of Tashkeel costs as little as Dhs. 700 a month and is open to anyone aged 18 and above regardless of their skill or experience. The facility is open from 8 am to 10 pm, Saturday to Thursday.

Sunday 6 June 2010

Vindemia Invites Art Enthusiasts to get Nostalgic with Syrian Artist Baseem Rayyes at the Exhibition titled ‘On the Wall’


This summer, soak in some Syrian creativity as Vindemia Art, Antiques and Collectibles Gallery showcases paintings of talented Syrian artist Baseem Rayyes at Aspen Café, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.  The exhibition titled, ‘On the Wall’ will run from 26 May- July 4, 2010 from 11am - 9pm.



The unique exhibition features a series of paintings that represent tales of nostalgia, based on memories of the artist’s life back home. Through his paintings, the artist wishes to stimulate the desire to embrace life among the viewers of his works.  

Commenting on his latest collection, Baseem Rayyes says, “My paintings speak about the lessons life teaches us and how we must erase what we don’t want to see and try to seize – in their truest colors – the moments we wish to remember.”  

“Baseem’s paintings reflect his love of life and never-give-up attitude, and are narrated in the aesthetic of a poet. His work transcends both his inner peace and darkness, and emerges from his sorrow in the form of serene faces, feminine bodies, and a faraway tranquil love story,” says Ghada Kunash, Art collector and Managing Director of Vindemia. 

Commenting on the hosting of the exhibition at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, General Manager Holger Schroth said, “We are very excited to host yet another exceptional artist here at Aspen Café, and continue to nurture the café’s growing reputation among the city’s art enthusiasts who recognize and appreciate unique talent. The ‘On the Wall’ exhibition will have great resonance in Dubai as so many of the people who live here empathise with the feeling of nostalgia for their lives back home.”  

The artists’ collection includes around 20 pieces of art, capturing life in a series of moments of pain and pleasure. Apart from painting, Rayyes is also a talented writer and was recently named the winner of the Sharjah Arabian Creativity Award for Short Stories – 2010. 

For further information on Vindemia, please visit the gallery located at THE WALK at Jumeirah Beach residence, shop No 21, Murjan 5 from 10am – 10pm Saturday to Sunday, and Friday 2pm to 10 pm or call +9714 427 0219.

ENOC holds painting contest to raise awareness about the Environment

Children choose to paint with the color green to depict their idea of an ideal and natural environment, at the ENOC booth in Dubai Festival City. The campaign aims to raise awareness on World Environment Day, celebrated, across the world on June 5, through educating people about climate change and key environmental issues. ENOC collaborated with Dubai Silicon Oasis to highlight the importance of preserving and sustaining our environment by inviting children to participate in a drawing competition. Children with the best artwork received gift vouchers.

ENOC also showcased its environmentally-friendly products and services, such as Protec Green and Protec X-treme Energy. It also explained to passersby how the Waterless Carwash service functions and displayed images of the ENOC Green Station, set to open by the end of 2010.