Art & Stuff by OrangeJar

Jumpstart

2012-01-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Time for a revamp! This first quarter, I'll be revamping the OrangeJar website - soon there will be a new comprehensive online portfolio, the latest caricatures drawn, as well as oil, watercolor, pencil, pen and ink and photo prints.

Just to start off this new-found energy to set the house in order, here's a quick and dirty 'Riel' - an old comic series I started years ago. I'll be reviving her too and will be posting more of her adventures in Dubai. The inspiration is about seven years old... pre-Dubai recession but it's still funny. Enjoy!

Pawan in the house!

2011-12-12T16:59:00.001-08:00

Haven't had much time to update the site - but this is one fun work I finished recently: Pawan Manghnani dubbed Sheikh of Stand-up comedy!

You can check out his FB page here.

OrangeJar mentioned in Kabayan Weekly newspaper

2011-09-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Kabayan Weekly newspaper, the only Filipino weekly newspaper in the UAE, featured the ARTE souq last week, luckily, during OrangeJar's first time at that artists' and crafter's market.

Some OrangeJar photos during the event:

Compilation of some of my works

2011-09-07T01:44:00.000-07:00

IF: Asleep

2011-05-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Art Dubai 2011

2011-03-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

Capture the essence of DIFF

2010-11-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

The Dubai International Film Festival, the leading festival of its kind in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, is inviting creative individuals around the Gulf to ‘Capture the essence of DIFF’ in the first DIFF poster competition.

The juried competition is open to any individual practicing art across the Gulf, whether student or self-taught, full-time or part-time, professional or hobbyist, working in any medium or style. Photography, painting, drawing, computer-aided illustrations and other forms of 2-D work are welcomed.

Mahsa Motamedi, DIFF Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, said the poster competition was created in response to the Festival’s popularity with the region’s creative community.

“The Gulf has a very strong talent pool of advertising and design professionals, artists and creative individuals who have always been among DIFF’s strongest supporters. We created this competition as a way to give back to this audience group, to showcase the creativity in our neighbourhood and to give more people a role in shaping this community event,” Motamedi said.

“We are very interested to see how individuals around the region interpret DIFF and what it stands for,” she added. The competition will be expanded in future editions.

An independent jury will evaluate submissions based on creativity, originality, and relevance. The Top 10 poster designers will receive special-access packs to DIFF 2010, including a 25-ticket voucher pack and a DIFF Gala ticket pack with access to select red carpet gala screenings. In addition, the best designed poster could be selected for production or future use as part of DIFF’s marketing and outreach.

Participants are required to submit a statement of originality with their work, including a brief explanation of their work. Submissions must be clearly marked with a short title and the name,

age, occupation, contact information and company name (where applicable) of the participant. All entries must be mounted on a sturdy mat, foam, cardboard or poster board and can be no larger than 24 x 36 inches.

The deadline for submitting entries is November 18, 2010. Entries must be mailed/couriered or delivered to:
DIFF Poster Competition,
Dubai International Film Festival,
Attn: The Brand Manager,
Building No. 2, Dubai Media City,
TECOM Management Offices,
P. O. Box 502600, Dubai – UAE.
Email: DIFFmarketing@tecom.ae

Competition entry details are at www.dubaifilmfest.com; and through the Festival’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19. DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City and supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF. Registration for DIFF 2010 is now open at www.dubaifilmfest.com.

Lynne Chapman on becoming an illustrator

2010-11-07T03:01:00.000-08:00

Here's another wonderful video, this time of Lynne Chapman and her adventures through the different mediums from textile to editorial to children's books:

Becoming an illustrator from Open College of the Arts on Vimeo.

Artist at work

2010-11-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Cool time lapse of an artist - Scott Bakal who painted a cover for San Francisco Weekly - at work.

Got the link from Escape From Illustration Island.

DIFF calls 5-12 year old painters in Dubai

2010-10-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Children between 5 and 12 years old living in the UAE are invited to participate in the DIFF 2010 Children’s Painting Competition. Twenty-four finalists will win family tickets to the Children's Gala red carpet screening, and their work will be featured in the DIFF’s 2011 commemorative calendar. For more information, visit www.dubaifilmfest.com.

Art of Baby Softness

2010-10-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

Calling all artists... recreate softness and join this competition, or check www.http://art-of-baby-softness.blogspot.com for details:

Going away gift

2010-09-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Another commission done and dusted.

Thank you Romela for sending these pictures!

The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award Announces Call for Entries

2010-09-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

Held under the royal patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, UAE, The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award 2010 is now open for entries.

First launched in 2006, The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award is an annual fine arts competition which aims to encourage, recognize and promote emerging artists from the UAE and is especially popular amongst university students majoring in Art, Design and Multimedia.

The contest is open to all UAE residents, male and female, between the ages of 18 to 30 years. One major criterion for the award is that the artist should not have had an independent solo exhibition previously. The award grants the winning artists the exciting opportunity to exhibit their work in a solo showcasing and for the first time.

Last year’s competition saw the highest ever number of submissions with more than 250 entries from 14 different nationalities, reflecting the continued interest in art within the community and the role of The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award as the UAE’s most important award for young emerging artists. The competition received entries in a variety of mediums, from digital animation and video to paintings, sculpture, drawings and photography.

“We are pleased to organize this competition for the fourth consecutive year,” said Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club. “Since its inception four years ago, the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award has greatly contributed to advancing the art scene in the UAE and leading young artistic talent towards greater excellence and innovation. The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award has attracted a high quality of entries in the past and has generated great enthusiasm and excitement. We hope many more will take advantage of this contest which not only rewards the emerging artists but also encourages them with recognition and support .’’

The competition is divided into three categories:

Fine Art Category - Acrylic, Oil, Water Colour, Pastel, Ink, Sculpture, Ceramics, Glass, Print Making, Etching, Mixed Media
Photography Category - Black & White / Coloured Photographs captured by the artist with slight digital modification and printed on flat surfaces including Canvas, Silk, Acrylic Sheets
Multimedia Category - Digital Art, Video Art, Installation
Furthermore, after the nominations have been announced online, the public/visitors will have a chance to vote for their favourite art work at ‘The People’s Choice Award’ through the website’s online voting feature.

The application process will be conducted via the competition website HYPERLINK "http://www.youngartistaward.ae"www.youngartistaward.ae. Interested participants can follow the instructions on the website to make their online submission. The deadline to apply and upload entries is 31st October, 2010.
Young Artists Award 2010 entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges comprised of industry professional and practicing artists from the local and international art community. The panel will shortlist fifty art works for an exhibition followed by the winners being announced during the Gala Award Nite to be held in December 2010.

Win "In Your Eyes" movie tickets in the UAE

2010-09-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

Our friends at www.KitschMovies.com have an ongoing competion.

Image link does not work, so just click here to get the details of the competition. Click here to go to KitschMovies.com.

IF: Star Gazing

2010-08-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

And she gazed up in the skies and wished with all her might.

Get kitsched

2010-08-04T00:26:00.000-07:00

Want to know the latest movies showing in the UAE - yes, in all the emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Qain?

Kitsch Movies has all the information you want, may it be Hollywood, Bollywood or Arab movies.

Happy Anniversary!

2010-07-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary!

Thank again to Malen and Albert for ordering their anniversary gift from OrangeJar.com!

Museum ME the UAE

2010-07-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

A brief history of one country, through one hundred objects…

The UAE is a place of multiple nationalities and cultures, and together the population shares in the history of the place they inhabit. Museum ME the UAE aims to present a snap shot of the UAE and the shared experiences of its community by inviting anyone and everyone to submit an object(s) which relates to the UAE’s history.

One hundred objects will be selected and presented in categories of history, domesticity and art, placing sentimental tokens on the same level as historical artifact, weaving together the personal fragments into a cumulative patchwork tapestry of the UAE’s identity.

Please find attached the press release for the same.

Submit your application to museumuae@thejamjardubai.com by 1 October 2010.

What to send:

Jpeg image of the object being submitted
Description of its importance to the UAE in no more than 150 words
Measurements in centimeters, height x width x depth
Estimate of object’s age

The exhibition will take place at thejamjar from 14 – 21 October 2010.

For more information, contact:
T | +971 (0)4 341 7303
F | +971 (0)4 341 7304
E | info@thejamjardubai.com
www.thejamjardubai.com

Calling artists to redesign Emirates membership cards

2010-07-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, Emirates redesigned its Skywards frequent flyer membership cards by featuring works of art from renowned contemporary artists such as Damien Hirst, Christopher Ries and Simone Cenedese.

Now, with the launch of a global art competition, Emirates is furthering their commitment to the art world by giving new and undiscovered talent the unique opportunity to enjoy global exposure and have their artwork adorn their membership cards in 2011.

Emerging artists are invited to respond to any or all of the three briefs: Gold, Silver and Blue. Each brief asks for an interpretation of a different mood or quality.

Winners will receive a commission of USD5,000 and their work will also enjoy global recognition. In addition, you’ll have the chance to fly to Dubai and display your artwork and portfolio at Art Dubai, the leading contemporary art fair in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region in March 2011, attended by art critics, collectors and gallery owners from around the world.

More info here.

Happy birthday Carrie!

2010-07-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

To Malen & Abet: thanks for ordering your gift for Carrie's birthday at OrangeJar. And double thanks for sending the photo.

Old comics

2010-06-28T00:36:00.000-07:00

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!

IF: Paisley

2010-06-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

A few critters got into my paisley. What am I do?

A hundred they'll tally, it'll be a zoo!

"Sketch" at the Jamjar!

2010-06-16T05:33:00.000-07:00

"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

2010-06-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Summer camp for kids at DLC

2010-06-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

“Made in Tashkeel” exhibition

2010-06-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

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 9^th June through to Thursday 16^th 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.

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

2010-06-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

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.

Art Dubai: photos batch 2

2010-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Long overdue... more photos from Art Dubai. Enjoy!

IF: Early

2010-05-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

As a fledgling vampire, Dru can't still get the hang of her new timings.
--
A quickly sketched, and color-expirimented entry for IF.

Art Camp for children this summer at The Farjam Collection

2010-05-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Farjam Collection @ DIFC announces the first year of Art Camp - a summer programme of art and activities for children. The first summer camp of its kind in the UAE, Art Camp gives children the opportunity to explore their creative talent while learning from some of the finest works of art from the past. Surrounded by a range of outstanding and rare works including calligraphy, paintings, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and arms, children will spend their summer exploring the fascinating world of Islamic art through worksheets, games and hands-on craft activities.

The Farjam Collection is partnering with Zayed University to curate an exhibition of Islamic art which will run throughout the summer in tandem with Art Camp. The exhibition will lead on from the first exhibition of highlights at The Farjam Collection @ DIFC, showcasing a different selection of works from Dr Farjam’s remarkable private collection. Students from Zayed University will coordinate the exhibition under the supervision of Islamic art expert and Associate Professor Dr. Ron Hawker, and the guiding hand of staff from The Farjam Collection. “The Farjam Collection represents a wonderful opportunity for students to work closely with a wide range of stunningly beautiful and historically important objects. The students from Zayed University are relishing the chance to apply their design skills to this context,” says Ron Hawker.

Art Camp is supported by students from three prestigious academic institutions based in the UK – the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham. Students from Oxford and Cambridge will be involved in producing content and activities for Art Camp based on the art on view. Drawing on their varied specialities in the arts, these students will contribute their ideas for new and engaging art-based activities for children. Durham University will support the programme by offering research papers written by gifted students to serve as tools in the creation of both exhibition and activity-related content. “We have been thrilled with the number of very talented students who have applied to be involved with Art Camp this summer,” said Rebecca Jarvest, Collection and Exhibitions Coordinator at The Farjam Collection. “As a Cambridge graduate and former intern at The Farjam Collection I am delighted that we are building an on-going relationship with these institutions.”

“The philosophy for Art Camp is to create, explore, and enjoy”, commented Emilie Faure, Collection and Exhibitions Manager at The Farjam Collection. “Art Camp gives children the chance to be an artist for the summer, and at the same time allows them to discover art in all its varieties. We are delighted to be working alongside esteemed local and international institutions to create a unique summer programme that offers something completely new to children in Dubai this summer”.

The Farjam Collection’s summer Art Camp marks a further step by collector and patron Dr Farhad Farjam to bring world-class art and high quality educational programming to the region. Recipient of the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award, Dr Farjam is passionate about the importance of education in the arts at all levels, reaching out to a wide audience on a national and international level through The Farjam Collection space at DIFC. The Farjam Collection @ DIFC offers a range of educational programmes, free and open to the public, from its popular First Wednesdays series and School and University Programmes to Art Nights @ Gate Village in collaboration with the DIFC and the latest addition to its programming, Art Camp.

Art Camp Details

What? Worksheets, games and hands-on craft activities around the fascinating world of art

Who? Children ages 6 – 12, organized into two age groups: 6 – 9 years and 9 – 12 years When? Art Camp runs for four weeks, from 18 July to 12 August. Children can participate in any one, two, three or four weeks. Sessions run from Sunday – Thursday from 8am – 2pm.

Where? The Farjam Collection @ DIFC

Fee 500 AED per child per week, including all craft materials and activities

For further information and booking please visit our website or contact rebecca@farjamcollection.com

Notes to editors

The Farjam Collection @ DIFC

The Farjam Collection @ DIFC showcases a rotating series of exhibitions drawn from The Farjam Collection. The foremost ambition of The Farjam Collection @ DIFC is art education. A programme of educational events, free and open to the public, offers audiences the opportunity to learn more about the works on view and the context in which these were produced.

The Farjam Collection is open: Sunday to Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm; Saturday 12 pm to 8 pm. Please visit www.farjamcollection.com for updates on events at The Farjam Collection @ DIFC.

The Farjam Collection @ DIFC is generously supported by the Hafiz Foundation.

The Hafiz Foundation
The Hafiz Foundation was founded in 2008 to support outstanding initiatives within the visual arts, with a special emphasis on the greater Middle East. With the city of Dubai as its base, the Foundation aims to become a centre for production, preservation, and promotion of the arts at large. At the heart of the Foundation’s goals is the development of educational opportunities for young Middle Eastern artists, students, scholars, curators, and art enthusiasts.
As a partner to both local and international cultural initiatives, the Foundation’s recent activities include having supported the founding of the award-winning Middle Eastern arts magazine Bidoun, support for local arts education programs, as well as the organization of a series of exhibitions displaying selected works from the Farjam Collection.

Distinguished Patron of the Arts

Owner of The Farjam Collection and founder of The Farjam Collection @ DIFC Dr Farhad Farjam received the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award in March 2010 for his outstanding contribution to patronage in the region.

ADWC’s Applied Media Students Exhibit at Ghaf Gallery

2010-05-25T03:45:00.000-07:00

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, and with the generous support of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Applied Media students at the Higher Colleges of Technology’s Abu Dhabi Women’s College inaugurated their annual exhibition at the Ghaf Gallery, on Sunday.

Desert Rose 2010: The Start, represents the College’s ninth Desert Rose exhibition, featuring works by the College’s Applied Media students. Desert Rose provides an occasion for senior students to showcase their best work to their families, the community, the media industry and prospective employers. The exhibition includes around 100 works the students produced over the previous three years, both as school projects and during work experience. They range from posters brochures and merchandise to documentaries short films, radio and TV commercials.

Her Excellency Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation said “ADMAF is delighted to once again support the ninth annual student exhibition ‘Desert Rose’. We are committed to nurturing the creative and cultural ambitions of the nation’s next generation. By fostering originality and innovation, through initiatives such as ‘Desert Rose,’ we are able to expand the horizons of higher achievements.” During the opening ceremony she also announced that the students taking part in the exhibition won the annual ADMAF Creativity Award “It is also a great honor for me to announce today that we will be presenting our annual Creativity Award to this group of talented students, whose work is a promise of a bright future for the UAE art community. In years to come, I look forward to seeing the same young, dynamic women forge successful careers in the fields of graphic design, video, audio, journalism, multimedia and photography.”

Established in 2004, the ADMAF Creativity Award is offered annually to outstanding creative students with the aim of supporting and promoting young national talent from Abu Dhabi’s Universities.

As part of Desert Rose 2010: The Start, and under the guidance of HCT- Abu Dhabi Women’s College faculty member Cordula Peters, students from the Applied Media program, , displayed a variety of works demonstrating their skills in graphic design, multimedia, audio, photography, and video. The students also handled the designing of all promotional material related to the event, the layout of the exhibition, and installing the works in the gallery.

Christine Luscombe-Whyte, Associate Director at the Abu Dhabi Women;s College, commented: “This annual exhibit always leaves us inspired by our students’ creative achievements. The range and professionalism displayed in these works speaks volumes about the rigor of the College’s Applied Media program and about the students’ dedication throughout their years of study.”

The exhibition will run until 30 May, 2010, at the Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi.

ORIENTALISM – West looking East

2010-05-24T01:44:00.000-07:00

Under the Royal Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment and Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAE a specialist lecture on Orientalist Art was held last week and by distinguished members of the local art community.

The lecture was presented in conjunction with Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment, and Bonhams, one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art, as part of a dedicated sale of Orientalist Art which included 140 masterpieces from renowned European and American artists from the 19th and 20th Centuries. This exhibition and sale showcased some of the most important examples in private hands.

Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club commented, “As one of the foremost patrons of art in the UAE, and a keen supporter of raising regional awareness of the fine arts, Her Highness Sheikha Manal’s patronage and support reflects her personal belief that incorporating educational components at important art events contributes towards advancing the understanding of art and fulfilling the vision of transforming the UAE into a global hub for art practices.

The lecture on Orientalist Art, which was delivered by Bonham’s specialist Taline Aynilian, explored the artistic exchange between East and West that is the foundation for the Orientalist genre. She demonstrated how Orientalist art is a reflection of Western artists’ perceptions of Arab life in the 19th and 20th centuries and these artists conquered many logistical and physical challenges to ensure they could present realistic reflections of the Arabic and Bedouin influence. The lecture also included Edward Said's evaluation and critique of the set of beliefs known as Orientalism, which forms an important background for postcolonial studies. His work highlights the inaccuracies of a wide variety of assumptions as it questions various paradigms of thought which are accepted on individual, academic, and political levels. Other topics discussed ranged from portrayal of women to architectural details such as motifs, textile and ceramic tiles.

Muna Bin Kalli added, “We are pleased to collaborate with Bonham’s which offered members of the local art community with a rare glimpse into the history of Orientalism. Some of the pieces in the collection have rarely, if not ever, been exhibited publically before and will most likely never be seen again after the sale.”

Taline Nicole Aynilian, Senior Specialist added, “It is a real pleasure to bring works of art back to the region from which they came and from where the artists’ works were originally inspired. To have them displayed amidst the land and culture that embodies the Middle East places Orientalism into context.”

The exhibition and sale showcased museum calibre works from paintings to sculpture and glassware. Highlights from the exhibition included artists such as Edwin Lord Weeks, Edme Alexis Dehodencq, Frederick Arthur Bridgman, Jean François Portaels, Ludwig Deutsch, Aldolf Schreyer, Arthur von Ferraris, Rudolf Ernst and Edouard Wilhelm Richter.

“Ambassadors” exhibition inaugurated at Sharjah Art Museum

2010-05-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Mr Abdullah Al-Owais, Director General of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, inaugurated the “Ambassadors” exhibition at Sharjah Art Museum, organized by Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) in co-operation with Goethe-Institut (GI) and Robert Bosch Stiftung. Al-Owais toured the exhibition accompanied by senior representatives from Sharjah Museums Department and government officials.

The exhibition held from May 20 to July 31 is part of SMD’s celebration of the International Museums Day under the theme “Museums for Social Harmony”, to spread awareness of the vital role museums play in social development. According to the International Council of Museums (ICOM), museums "are in a position to address the urgent need for safeguarding cultural diversity and bio-diversity as the common heritage of humanity.”

The “Ambassadors” exhibition explores the concept of museums as mirrors of a given society’s culture. Curators from SMD’s 18 museums have composed, for the first time, a group show following a workshop that evaluated the complex and different interpretations of social harmony as represented in the objects chosen by each curator.

“This year’s social harmony theme is important both for humanity as a whole as well as for highlighting the value of our diverse cultures. The basis of social harmony lies in cultural dialogue, mutual respect and the celebration of our differences, which is reiterated through the Ambassadors exhibition,” said Manal Ataya, Director General of SMD.

Susanne Sporrer, Director of Goethe-Institut Gulf-Region, said: “This exhibition reflects the fruitful cooperation between the Robert Bosch Foundation, the Goethe-Institut and the Sharjah Museums Department. The idea to produce new relations between the rich and diverse museums of Sharjah and Germany has created a groundbreaking intercultural project. Since the German cultural institute Goethe-Institut Gulf Region is dedicated to encourage the exchange and the understanding between the cultures I am looking forward to intensifying this cooperation in future. I am very glad that the Goethe-Institut could participate in this process and congratulate SMD’s to realize this event that highlights the humanitarian and cultural bonding.”

A panel discussion entitled “Social Harmony from a Curators’ Perspective” was held alongside the exhibition. Participants included the curators from each museum. The four-step workshop offered an overview of the concept of social harmony with a time-space journey highlighted through the Holy Quran, which underscores the need for social harmony, peace, love and mercy.

The Sharjah Museums Department, established in 2006 by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, aims to promote the emirate’s rich legacy of arts, heritage and culture. For more information on the Sharjah Museums Department, please visit www.sharjahmuseums.ae.

OrangeJar Free Line Arts

2010-05-21T04:57:00.000-07:00

Hi there! As part of projects for family fun, we're going to publish OrangeJar line arts here for free. You can download them and get dirty painting.

Kids love coloring! And for adults, why not join the fun? Coloring is therapeutic, it will help you relieve the stress from the office as you spend quality time with your kids.

For this week, we have a deer and an eagle. This is the first installment, but in the future, if you want to look for more free OrangeJar line arts, just click the tags "OJ Line Arts".

Have tons of fun!!!

Visions

2010-05-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

There is a new vision in town! Come check this out - Visions by Abdulla Al Jassem at the Gallery 76 located at the Dubai International Art Center (DIAC). The exhibit will be on until June 2.

IF: Equipment

2010-05-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

For Muna, her hands are the only equipment she will ever need.

IF: Fearless

2010-05-14T03:14:00.000-07:00

When I read the IF word of the week, the first thought that popped into mind was how fearless kids can be. They would run head on to big dogs, they'd climb windows without fear of falling, they'd laugh with glee as their father toss them in the air.

IF: Cocoon

2010-05-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

Afraid of all the shadows in the forest, she wrapped herself in her sleeping bag and fell asleep.

Barcelona Art on show in Abu Dhabi

2010-04-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Barcelona Art, a four day exhibition of paintings and ceramics, is currently being staged at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The exhibition features the work of prizing winning and international Spanish artists such as Joan Panisallo, Natalia Ferre, Maria Antonia Soler, Jose Llinares, Blanca Benitez Montane, Conxi Puig, Isabel Pons Tello, Torner De Semir, Lluis Barbadillo, Guillermo Marti, Javier Rey, Imma Merino, Miguel Mateu, Montise Arnal, Jordi Santacana and Christian Buissa.

Barcelona Art is held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and His Excellency Mr Gonzalo de Benito Secades with the collaboration of The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development and the Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona. The exhibition is being staged in ADNEC, Conference Room B and is organised by Aero Expo & Consulting and exhibition.

About Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is a strategic international venue development and management company. ADNEC’s venue portfolio includes one of the most modern exhibition centre’s in the world - the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and the UK capital’s largest exhibition and conference venue, ExCeL London.

ADNEC is creating unique business districts to serve Abu Dhabi’s rapid expansion and emergence on the global stage.

Development projects surrounding the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre include Capital Centre (a mixed-use development of 23 residential, commercial and mixed-use towers adjacent to the exhibition centre), Capital Gate (an iconic 35 storey gravity defying feature tower, featuring the 5-star hotel - ‘Hyatt at Capital Centre’) and a 2.4km Marina zone.

In addition, ADNEC is expanding within the region, with The Al Ain Convention Centre, a residential and business micro city around a state-of-the-art convention centre.

For more information visit www.adnec.ae; www.alaincc.ae; www.capitalcentre.ae; www.capitalgate.ae; www.excel-london.co.uk.

IF: Rescue

2010-03-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Painting for the day

2010-03-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Browsing Hollywood celebrity buzz, a photo of Rihana caught my eye, it was great for practice. Photoshop.

Hi ho silver!

2010-03-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

At about 250AED, this pair of earings, has got to be the most expensive silver earrings I have acquired! But it was worth it.

The other night, we were at the Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC), a lovely villa just behind the Mercato Mall area, learning how to make our own silver jewelery. You see, some clever Japanese chaps invented the Art Clay Silver which makes it easy to design with silver – you don't need to make molds and melt the metal anymore, you just have to flatten and shape them as you want.

Lisle, our teacher, guided us through all the steps of making our first silver jewelery, patiently answering every question and doling out tips in case we ever take up the craft at home.

The medium
Silver Art Clay comes in this small plastic containers and basically looks like light gray clay. You have all these tools to help you create any piece you want. I chose to make a pair of earrings to match a silver ring I already have.

Here's how you can do it:

Put the clay in between two cardboards of the same thickness. With a roller, roll the clay like you're rolling dough to flatten it out. The boards will make sure it's even.

Take the pattern of your choice, better to mull over and finalize your design before you handle the clay because it may dry up on you. If you're using a mold or pattern, press the design on the clay, or if you're taking it by ear, then start creating/etching your design. In my case, I used my ring to create an impression on the rolled clay.

After the design has been impressed on the clay, cut the excess clay. Keep the excess material inside a plastic sheet to avoid drying. Keep every little bit, you can reuse them all. If you feel that your clay is drying as you're working on it, spray a little water to keep it malleable. Put olive oil on any instrument you will use – stamps, knifes, etc – to prevent the clay from sticking to the instrument.

Dry your creations on top of the kiln. When it's completely dry, it will look and feel like dried ceramics or dried clay.

Take a piece of sandpaper and polish the design and the edges. You can use wet ones to wipe off the back.

Drill the hole for your hooks.

Put inside the kiln. After 10 or 15 minutes it will be ready.

Remove the jewelery from the kiln carefully (remember it's very hot!). With a pair of tweezers, take a piece and dunk it in cold water.

This will cool it off and strengthen the metal at the same time. At this point it will be white and will look nothing like the shiny metal we know and love.

When it's cool enough to touch, dry it off and start polishing.

Now comes the exciting part, as you brush, the white stuff will disappear and the silver will shine through.

Burnish the piece to make it shine, add the hooks and voila – a new pair of 99.9 percent silver earrings.

Cool medium
What makes this all the more cooler is, there's no breaking it. When a petal broke after it was first dried, it was glued back with Art Clay Silver paste. A more diluted form that acts like a glue.

Instead of putting it in the kiln, this piece was fired with a hand-held torch, another option for firing it. And the piece looked good as new.

After three hours, we had brand new silver jewelery that gave us immense satisfaction.

It looks way easier than the real thing and I bet, we need a lot more practice to really master it. The medium is really exciting specially when you start considering the possibilities - it's endless!

Below are some samples shown to us by Lisle. You can view her creations at Wow Creations.

The class cost 175aed plus materials. The materials depend on what you will use (hooks, stones, etc) and on the weight of the Art Clay Silver.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-03-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

Happy mother's day to all moms out there!

We're pretty sure there are going to be tears in mums' eyes when they read the cards their kids made them.

We couldn't help but say awwwww when we saw the emails kids sent us.

It was hard but we had to pick one winner - and that's Christine, 12 years old, who sent in her card for her Mommy Pearl. We love her use of colorful flower cutouts that frames the front of the card.

Inside, she continued the flower motiff and combined it with illustration - a sweet one of a mom kissing her child and a just as sweet letter. We're sure your mom is going to be so proud of you Christine! Congratulations!

For special prizes, we picked three: IC (12), Tel (9) and Kit (10).

IC used what looks like colorful tin foils which made his card bright and colorful. He also used cutouts from magazines to make his letterings. Very clever! He kept the inside simple which brought your focus to the message immediately, but the borders around the message made it interesting.

Tel emailed saying she also colored the back of the card. That's good design Tel! And she included a very cute picture of her and her mommy on the inside page making it very personal.

Kitkit used a bright yellow paper that added interest to the card and in his letter, he recalled his mom giving him confidence on his first day of school. Awww... we're just wiping tears from our own eyes.

Congratulations kids, good work! Happy Mother's day to your mums and

all the mums out there!

And a special Happy Mother's Day to Amor Mendoza

and Monica de Castro!

Celebrities donate crafts for a cause

2010-03-20T03:11:00.000-07:00

Just got this link from Neil Gaiman's twit - celebrities donate crafts for a cause (proceeds benefit the victims in Haiti) and the products are all up for bidding here.

"Famed author, Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Sandman, Stardust, The Graveyard,), decorates a few 4-panel postcards and some of his “Scary Trousers” t-shirts for the Crafts For A Cause auction, which begins March 15th at 8am, here: biddingforgood.com/craftsforacause". - Crafts for a Cause (photo by Cat Mihos, also taken from the same site)

Check it out, you might get lucky and get creative works by Neil Young, Christina Aguilera, Kings of Leon and more, and for a good cause too!

Art Dubai

2010-03-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

Art Dubai is still on until tomorrow. Be sure to check it out - it's an amazing collection of artworks from 70 galleries all over the world.

Art really is a strange and wonderful thing. There is so much creativity and ingenuity in the world. Here's a little collection of some artworks that were made with the most ordinary items you wouldn't normally think of when thinking of art.

A very colorful piece of of switches.

The little points are little seashells.

Take a guess? This light blue star and red background is made of... matchsticks!

Side view of the matchsticks.

Pebbles in a circular format, the mound in the middle looked like semi-precious stones. This reminded me of some sand art I used to work on while just lounging at the beach in Balayan (below).

This beauty is made of incense ashes and glue.

Plenty of blades as you can see.

A very sticky Mona Lisa - she's full of packaging tape!

By Jorge Mayet. This whimsical creation is a real wonder, those real-looking branches are made of electrical wires and everything else is paper mache.

Here are some of my favorites:

I love the big, bold strokes on these three portraits on the right. Also love the sleeping lady on the left, mighty big creation for pen and ink (on board).

Aboriginal art from Australia. Love the colors and energy of the piece.

Honestly don't know what these little robots are but they are adorable!

Very striking bust.

This one reminded me of LOTR when Arwen with a dying Frodo, on the horse Asfaloth, called to the Misty Mountains to attack the ringwraiths - ahh gotta love fantasy.

I'm just sorry I can't identify them all. But thanks to all these artist for making the world a better place. There's still one full day tomorrow, check out Art Dubai. Have fun!

Jailed for taking photos

2010-03-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

Go out into the streets and chances are, you’ll come across somebody who has a black, professional-looking digital camera slung over his or her shoulder. With the prices of digital cameras crashing down, especially with the fast-paced competition among the big brands and smaller ones who wants a cut of the market – the beautiful art of digital photography is now very accessible.

That’s definitely good news.

But when an amateur photographer is jailed for shooting what he hopes would be a winning shot for a photography contest, then most amateur photographers might be left shaking to the tips of their hot shoes.

A Pakistani national was jailed recently for taking a photo over Khalifa Bridge in Abu Dhabi. I found out about it, only after I posted a link about Canon’s "Celebrating My City" Photography Competition in one of the egroups I belong to. The last time I checked, the only response I got was a direct link to the article about the poor photographer, which you can read here (Arabian Business) and another here (The National).

The amateur photographer, using his Canon 5D Mark II wanted to join the "Abu Dhabi Through Your Eyes" contest when a man told him that what he was doing was basically illegal. His camera was confiscated and he was jailed for two days.

It further said that the man tried to reach the contest organizers, the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi and the Tourism Development & Investment Authority for help, but he got no response to his plea. Though he was released on bail and was able to exchange his passport for bond, he still has not gotten his camera back. He goes back to Abu Dhabi in hopes of getting his passport again and just putting everything behind him.

As a hobbyist myself, I feel for him. It was pure bad luck that he happened to be taking photos in a sensitive area where there were no signs that clearly says no photography allowed as you would notice in some palaces and government offices. But the reality is, there are prohibited areas for photography.

When you’re going to visit a new country, you would check the dos and don'ts. You'd check if it’s allowed to enter temples, eat chewing gum, take photographs of people in the streets and such.

But so many residents of the UAE have become so used to it being their "home" and being an open city that some rules are being forgotten. Just take the kissing scenes and romps on the beach that have been highlighted in the news as examples.

We are so used to cameras that we simply smile automatically when one is pointed our way. But we have to remember that when you take a photo, you will have an image of that person forever and you may be intruding in his privacy.

Six years ago, I was in our company car going home from DMC, when one of my colleagues decided to snap a few pictures with her digital camera. It was past 6:00 pm, there was still plenty of light outside, but it was already dark inside the van so she turned her flash on.

A few minutes later, a man – whom we assumed was local, being garbed in the traditional local clothes – overtook us and flagged us down. Our driver stopped and the guy went to the passenger window shouting at us. He was saying it was illegal to take pictures and he would call the police. After a few minutes we finally understood that he thought we took pictures of him. He calmed down when my colleague showed the images, and there were no pictures of the road, his car or him. The only pictures were super close-ups of our laughing faces. My colleague just told him that she will delete everything and he finally let us go.

It was a bit extreme but it was a solid reminder that when it comes to other people, strangers taking photos of them are alarming and needs to be checked. Be careful too when you feel like being a regular citizen journalist - taking photos of accidents may also land you in jail or at least some hot water.

Cameras may be more accessible now, but it does come with responsibilities. Even paparazzis – and it’s they’re job to be in celebrities' faces – can get into plenty of trouble.

So, let’s backtrack a bit. Let’s pretend we’re just about to enter the UAE for the first time and read what’s allowed and not allowed when it comes to photography:

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office of the UK says “Photography of certain government buildings and military installations is not permitted. You should not photograph people without their permission.”

VisitAbuDhabi warns, “Visitors to Abu Dhabi should avoid photographing women in general, and particularly national women, without their permission. It is always courteous to ask before photographing people. There are few other restrictions on photography in the emirate – only military, government and airport installations are not allowed to be photographed.”

In the West, the rules are more relaxed when you’re photographing people in public areas. Usually, you won’t have much of a problem, especially with people who are attracting attention to themselves (street performers, street bands, etc). But if you plan to sell their photos or benefit from it commercially (aside from editorial use), you still need their express permission or a model release.

Some cultures, in other parts of the world, do not allow photographs at all. So be careful, it is always good to research the rules first, check for signs and ask if there is none. If shooting people, it helps to be polite, ask people first before you start shooting away.

Some of the most creative works come from breaking the rules. But as the wise have long said, know all the rules before you break them.

Eating

2010-03-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Everyday in my bag is this lovely yellow green, soft cover moleskin. It's already battered with use and abuse.

I've been doing my scribblings and quick sketches there but I've never published one yet in this blog, and inspired by other artists who draw everyday and from real life, I'll start posting some of my own work here.

This was a 5-minute sketch while having dinner at Ikea. A nice gentleman passed from my back and stopped to chat us up. I'm a self-conscious artist so I'd rather not let others see while I'm still working on a piece. That's one of the challenges of drawing from real life... Well, Mr. Nice Guy said it was good work and I'll earn money from it. This is not exactly the type of drawing I market but knock on wood, may you have the tongue of an angel.

IF: Subterranean

2010-03-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hidden deep inside the cave, in the depths of the murky pool, away from envious eyes, she hides; controlling every wave, every tremor, every current. When her anger overcomes her, the earth shakes, the water bubbles and the world waits for a verdict.

Exciting activities at Abu Dhabi Festival 2010

2010-03-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has finally announced the details of their pogram - the heart of the festival is the theme “Bilad Al Khayr” or “The Land of Blessings”, which brings together communities in a shared love of music, arts and culture.

The program of 35 diverse events will include musical performances, storytelling, photography, film, workshops and community cultural groups.

One of the core themes of the community program this year is reviving the art of storytelling. Stories can be told with both pictures and words, and this year’s Festival will showcase a Hakawati tour, which will visit seven locations across the Emirates to perform entertaining short plays inspired by stories of “The Arabian Nights”, a traditional Emirati storyteller known as Al Raawiya, which will showcase the unique identity of the Emirates; and finally a world premiere showing of “The Adventures of Prince Ahmed” the oldest, full length animated feature in the cinematic history, created in 1920s Germany and inspired by the stories of The “Arabian Nights” and “One Thousand and One Nights.”

The Abu Dhabi Festival will take place from 20 March to 7 April and is a three-week manifestation of world-class performances in traditional, classical and jazz music, drama, fine arts, and ballet. HE Hoda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, comments:

Highlights
***Traditional Arabic story-telling by acclaimed traditional storyteller Ahmed Yousef. The tour will take place in Sharjah Women’s College, UAE University in Al Ain, Fujairah Cultural Theatre, Children City Auditorium in Dubai, ADMA Theatre in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Theatre and Um Al Quwain Cultural Theatre.

***A screening of the oldest, full length animated feature film in the history of cinema, ‘The Adventures of Prince Ahmed’, which is re-released for a one-off screening in Abu Dhabi.

***The Arts & Medicine Institute will hold a forum on the healing link between music and medicine for medical experts and artists at the Cleveland Clinic Symposium.

***Media presenter, Ali Alsaloom, will take participants on a fascinating one-day experience for the residents and newcomers to the UAE into the cultures and customs of the Emirates in the Embrace Arabia Cultural Tour in Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village. He will also conduct the Ask Ali Cultural Workshop Lecture in Dubai. The aim is to foster a deeper understanding of the region’s culture, while revealing enchanting stories of the UAE through a thought-provoking seminar. Events will take place at Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi and Knowledge Village in Dubai.

There are many more exciting activities. The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 tickets are available from Virgin Megastores and www.timeouttickets.com with part of the proceeds going to the Ewa’a Shelter for Women and Children.

Mother's Day card-making competition

2010-03-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Every year, the UAE celebrates Mother's Day on the 21st of March, while majority of the world celebrates on the 8th of May. But no matter when Mother's Day is, it's always good to show your moms how much you love them.

Though you can always buy gifts, moms – big-hearted people that they are – are very touched with presents made by their children – a single flower cut from the garden, breakfast in bed (yes, even with the messy kitchen that comes with it) and in the great tradition of children all over the world, a Mother's Day card given with lots of hugs, 'I love yous' and 'Thank yous'.

This year, we would like to encourage all children to celebrate Mother's Day, so for the first time since OrangeJar went online, we are holding a Mother's Day card making competition in honor of all mothers who sacrifice a lot for their children.

Who are eligible? Children from age 1 -12, from any part of the world.

What do you have to do? Make a special Mother's Day card to thank your mom and to say I love you on Mother's Day. You can draw, paint, paste and write on the card to design it.

Inside: Write a short note to say 'Thank you' and 'I love you' to your mom.

Design tip: Think about your mom's favorite things, she would love to see it in your card's designs.

Note: The card should be two-fold, can be any size, as long as you can scan or take a picture of it to send to us.

Then what? Ask your auntie, uncle, dad, grandma, grandpa, elder brother or elder sister to help you scan your card (front and inside pages) and email it to orangejar@orangejar.com.

Please include: Your name, age and your mom's name.

We will post all the entries we get with your and your mom's name. So spread the word, tell your friends about this Mother's Day card competition.

The prize: A Gift Certificate for an OrangeJar caricature for one person, size A4 on canvas* that will be emailed to the winning contestant.

*We're planning special prices for special entries too!

Deadline of submission: March 20, 2010, 12 noon.

OrangeJar will choose the best entry and the winner, with his/her name, mom's name and winning entry will be posted on March 21, 2010, right here.

Don't forget to give your card to you mom on Mother's Day!

And remember, you can show your mom how much you love her everyday so be sure to giver her a hug.

This competition is a special tribute to Monica de Castro and Amor Mendoza for being women of strength and for being great mothers.

*Canvas print is only available depending on your location. If not applicable, an efile of the caricature will be sent.

Celebrated artists, curators and collectors headline Global Art Forum 4

2010-03-10T23:40:00.000-08:00

Launched in March 2007, the Global Art Forum gathers leading arts professionals to discuss pressing issues that affect art today and that define its future. Under the banner of “Crucial Moments”, this year’s Forum addresses the practical outcomes and theoretical concerns of key themes shaping our contemporary culture.

Supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Forum’s four-day programme commences in Doha on 15 March at the Museum of Islamic Art and will be hosted by the Qatar Museum Authority. The Forum offers thought-provoking concepts, such as imagining an ideal future art school, exploring the global trend for temporary museums alongside intimate interviews with international superstar artists, including Indian painter M.F. Husain and Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi. The day also marks the debut of Shumon Basar and Haig Aivazian’s 5000 Friends After the Rolodex, a performative mapping project that traces the progression of the Global Art Forum’s 4-day run.

From 17 to 19 March, Global Art Forum returns to its home at Madinat Beach, Art Dubai for three more days of lively conversation.

MF Husain, Kite, 1952, watercolour, felt tip, and ink on paper

Day 2 on Wednesday 17 March begins with a discussion centred on cultural practitioners who feature historical and archival aspects in their work. This panel, composed of top artists and curators, features 2010 Abraaj Capital Art Prize recipient Hala Elkoussy, whose winning project will be on display at Art Dubai. Wednesday’s programme will also address an impending crisis in global arts writing, with international writers and editors exploring the very real challenges facing media today. Meanwhile, in what promises to be an inspiring discussion, three of the original movers from the vibrant art scene of 1970s Tehran, Tony Shafrazi, Fereydoun Ave and Kamran Diba will reminisce about the days of artistic energy and innovation and the legacy they exert on today's generation of Iranian artists.

Day three, Thursday 18 March, spotlights current trends in art patronage, with a keynote address entitled Building Regional Patronage in a Post-Crisis Moment by noted art patron Omar Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to Russia. Alongside Mr Ghobash’s address, Thursday also sees two panels dedicated to both public and private patronage, highlighting the latest patterns in collectors’ markets from a global array of expertise including Maria Baibakova, Moscow; Dr Farhad Farjam, Dubai; Mohammed Afkhami, Dubai; Alistair Hicks, London and Michael Danoff, New York.

The day also features a rare opportunity to witness the legendary sculptor El Anatsui discuss his astonishing work and career in an intimate conversation with curator Okwui Enwezor. This is followed by an intriguing debate over perceptions of art in Palestine, a 'Palestine Syndrome', questioning how preconceptions and prejudices affect the region's art and how artists within the country relate to each other across geographical and ethnic divides.

The fourth and final day, Friday March 19, starts with another Modernist moment, this time recalling the exciting world of 1970s New York, when artists Vito Acconci, Dennis Oppenheim and Alice Aycock collaborated at 112 Green Street, a seminal space that pioneered performance and installation art practises.

Friday’s programme revisits the notion of patronage, through a fascinating conversation with Don and Mera Rubell, regarded as two of the most prolific and prescient collectors of the past forty years. They are followed by a panel scrutinizing the relationship between patrons and institutions, and how those relationships will shape the growth of museums in the Middle East over the next few years.

The 2010 Global Art Forum will conclude with a final presentation by 5000 Friends After the Rolodex, as Shumon Basar and Haig Aivazian discuss the outcomes of their performative mapping project.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer at Dubai Culture, said the Global Art Forum serves as an effective bridge between the arts community and the public, bringing them together for meaningful dialogue.

El Anatsui, In the World But Don't Know the World detail

“Contemporary culture is defined by the arts, and in today’s interlinked world, the arts community globally faces new challenges and opportunities. The Global Art Forum will be a thought-starter in addressing current and emerging cultural realities, providing the artists and the general public with new insights into the local and global cultural scene. The Forum underscores the role of Dubai Culture in educating the community on the arts, promoting inter-cultural dialogue and encouraging creativity.”

Supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Global Art Forum is free of charge and is hosted by the Qatar Museum Authority. The National is the official media partner of the Forum.

Tickets are now on sale for Art Dubai through www.timeouttickets.com. They will also be available at the door during Art Dubai.

You Can - Canon photo Competition

2010-03-08T21:28:00.000-08:00

Explore your creativity and share your vision of the world around you with Canon’s Celebrating My City Photography Competition.

Celebrate your City from March 5th until April 20th, 2010 by submitting photographs of your metropolis and have the chance to win one of 13 new EOS 500D or professional photo printer Pixma Pro 9500 Mark II.

DSLR cameras are the staple of the world’s greatest photographers and city life the inspiration for some of the most iconic photography of the last 100 years. Not only is Canon giving amateur photographers from across the region the chance to compete against the top photographic talent in 13 countries in the Middle East to win one of its most popular DSLR models, but also experience true color through a high tech professional photo printer.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will be chosen from 13 countries to receive an all expenses paid trip to two of the Middle East’s most eye catching cities - Dubai and Beirut.

With two nights at each destination for two people, the overall winner will also get a chance to capture these cities with his or her new EOS 550D and benefit from tips of the trade from a professional photographer selected by Canon.

This online competition is open to amateurs and professionals who are 18 years of age or above residing in the following countries:

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.

To read the original article on Gulf Photo Plus and to join the competition, click here!

Art Dubai announces programme

2010-02-28T23:59:00.001-08:00

Art Dubai 2010 welcomes over 70 galleries from more than 30 countries and an extensive programme of collateral events including the Global Art Forum, the Abraaj Capital Art Prize, special projects curated by Bidoun Projects and The Poetry of Time presented by Van Cleef & Arpels. Art Dubai has become the essential gathering place for collectors, artists and art professionals from across the Middle East, South Asia and beyond, setting the business of art within a context that is intelligent, stimulating and relevant.

Chant Avedissian Al Watan Al Arabi The Arab Nation 2008 Cour

Art Dubai 2010 will also debut single artist-focused stands highlighting current and future masters providing both established and novice collectors a broader and deeper understanding of how an artist's work has progressed.

GLOBAL ART FORUM
The Global Art Forum returns as the Middle East's most influential platform for cultural discussion. Under the banner "Crucial Moments", key episodes in the evolution of contemporary art practice in the Middle East will be scrutinized throughout a four-day symposium of debates, discussions and workshops.

A wide range of topics drive the discussions, from Modernism in Iran to the recent influx of transient institutions. Art education also proves a key topic and is explored in the notion of the 'Future Art School'. Further subjects address shifting paradigms of public and private patronage, as well as trends in the collectors' markets. In addition, a series of one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most renowned artists will offer a fascinating insight into the mystery and mechanics of the creative process.

PROJECTS
Bidoun Projects, the not-for-profit curatorial wing of arts organisation and publisher Bidoun, will continue its partnership with Art Dubai with a comprehensive programme of events, including a group exhibition of upcoming Middle Eastern artists, commissions exploring the spectacle of an art fair, artist-led tours of Art Dubai and a the Bidoun Library, featuring a nomadic archive of books, catalogues, journals and ephemera.

Art Park is once again host to a range of film screenings, innovative talks and performances that look at the relationship between archives, art, music and film in collaboration with avant-garde archiving site UbuWeb.

A key feature will be the Bidoun Projects exhibition: A New Formalism, which takes as its starting point the subtle articulation of four works that share a space. "The exhibition will complement the rest of the programme, which looks at the spectacular and temporal nature of art fairs. A New Formalism brings together a precise selection of works by Hazem El Mestikawy, Iman Issa, Mahmoud Khaled and the collective U5 that together pose an expanded understanding of formalism," said Antonia Carver, Director, Bidoun Projects.

UAE artist Ebtisam Abdul-Aziz will display a new work, specially commissioned for the fair in which she will re-imagine a map of the Arab world according to a set of numerical codes. Abdul-Aziz is a multidisciplinary artist and writer based in Sharjah, UAE, working in installation, performance, photography and on paper. Her recent exhibitions include the UAE and ADACH Pavilions at 53rd Venice Biennale; Sharjah Biennial 7; and Languages of the Desert, at the Kunst Museum, Bonn, Germany.

To demystify the art fair experience, Bidoun Projects has commissioned artists to act as Art Dubai tour guides. Taking the fair-as-stage-set as inspiration, artists including Daniel Bokhkov, Sophia Al Maria, and Khalil Rabah will conduct daily tours, devising their own narratives through the galleries and the grounds, in an exploration of the pure subjectivity of interpretation. These tours will be offered to all visitors to the fair.

The special projects at Art Dubai will also feature new installations including ice sculptures designed by world-renowned artist Farhad Moshiri and Sand/Fans, a restaging of Alice Aycock's conceptual kinetic sculptural installation that was first exhibited at 112 Greene Street, Soho, New York, in the early 1970s.

The unique 'pop up' Bidoun Library will give visitors access to a wealth of materials created by and for artists, as well as those published by independent organisations based in the region. This will allow visitors to explore, research, and create wide-ranging connections through materials that are generally unavailable in the Gulf.

ARTIST FOCUS STANDS
Of the galleries participating in Art Dubai 2010, up to a quarter are innovating by creating Artist Focus Stands which feature the work of only one or two artists. These new stands at Art Dubai will enable collectors and visitors to see a progression in a specific artist's work over time, generating a greater sense of depth, involvement and understanding of an artist's oeuvre, rather than a quick snapshot of several artists represented by the gallery. Single or dual- focused galleries at Art Dubai will include pieces from modern Indian and Egyptian masters such as M.F. Husain and Adel El Siwi as well as more up-and- coming artists from Korea, Chile, Peru, Spain and the Sudan.

Among the artists being showcased in the Artist Focus Stands is legendary Indian painter and filmmaker, M.F. Husain. Represented by Grosvenor Vadhera Gallery, London, Husain's paintings have played a key role in bringing artwork from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region to the international spotlight. A number of his works will be on display, showing a progression of Husain's work throughout his more than six decades as an artist.

Art Dubai will also feature single-focus highlights from two Egyptian contemporary masters - Adel El Siwi represented by Artspace, Dubai, and Chant Avedissian, represented by Rose Issa Projects, London. A renowned painter, El Siwi has showcased his work through group and solo exhibitions throughout the world. He had emigrated to North America and Europe but returned to Egypt favouring his motherland for its deep roots in the arts. Chant Avedissian in his colorful stenciled images, deftly explores the boundaries between "high" and "low" art, politics and pop. Avedissian refined his techniques in Western art schools, but draws inspiration from Egypt's modern Golden Age, with its glamorous divas and mustachioed movie stars. His iconic figures include legendary singers Om Kulthoum and Asmahan; screen sirens Shadia and Hind Rostom; heartthrobs Farid al-Atrash and Abdel Halim Hafez; and once-adored statesmen like Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Several galleries participating in Art Dubai 2010 will champion emerging regional talent, including Lebanon's Ayman Baalbaki and Iraqi painter Mahmoud Obaidi, both from Agial Art Gallery in Beirut. Bahrain's Albareh Art Gallery will feature a focus on works by Sudanese artist Mohammed Omer Khalil and Faisel Laibi Sahi from Iraq. Rossi & Rossi from London is exclusively showcasing work by Pakistani artist Naiza Khan.

Locally, Dubai-based Green Art Gallery will feature the work of Turkish artist Nazif Topcuoglu. While the photographer has been shown widely across Europe, this will be his first exhibition in a regional art fair.

ABRAAJ CAPITAL ART PRIZE
The 2010 winning artworks of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize will be unveiled at a special ceremony in advance of the Jumeirah Patron's Preview at Art Dubai on 16th March. Kader Attia (Algeria) working with curator Laurie Ann Farrell (US), Hala Elkoussy (Egypt) working with curator Jelle Bouwhuis (The Netherlands) and Marwan Sahmarani (Lebanon) with curator Mahita El Bacha Urieta (Spain/Lebanon) have been working in secret since they won the prize in September based on the proposals they submitted. www.abraaj.com/acap

THE POETRY OF TIME by VAN CLEEF & ARPELS For the first time, Van Cleef & Arpels is organising a prestigious exhibition covering almost a century of watch making creations dedicated to the Poetry of Time, exclusively for Art Dubai. An interactive workshop area will feature famed watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and enameling artist Dominique Baron.

If you require any further information, high-resolution version of the attached images, or request for an interview please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleague Maha Obeid /maha.obeid@theportsmouthgroup.com

And to register for Art Dubai, please log on to www.artdubai.ae

IF: Propagate

2010-02-26T03:16:00.000-08:00

Dubai's Modern Beanstalk

2010-02-21T02:59:00.000-08:00

This morning, the Burj Khalifa reached the clouds.

Sharjah museums

2010-02-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

Recently, we've committed to visiting the healthy number of Sharjah museums. Today, with the pottery class beckoning, we headed over to the Sharjah Archeological museum - the place was roomy and very informative! Love the dioramas about the different burial sites; a very good glimpse into the UAE's past.

We were told that they sometimes arrange site visits to the digs - that would be fun. We signed up for the alerts, hopefully it's something they'll organize while the weather is still fabulous!

There was also a pottery class held today. There was a short talk on pottery and its use in the olden times as well as the styles of making them. After that, we had a terracotta session where we fashioned our own mini jars. Nice eh?

Am an artist

2010-02-15T03:19:00.000-08:00

Over 60 drawings of school children were displayed at Bawadi Mall as part of an exhibition “Am an artist” organized by “Housa Bin Mohammed” School, Al Ain, recently.

The eight-day show gave an opportunity to the students to show their classroom drawings to the wider community, which could provide a huge motivation for them to be professional artists.

The show was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakbout Al Nahyan in the presence of Salem Al Katheeri, Manager of Al Ain Education Zone, Mohamed Rashid Al Ghaithy, Deputy Manager of the education zone, Abdel Aziz Al Junaiby, Education Activities Head, Hussein Al Shatiri, Head of Customer Service, Mehdar Hussein, Head of Admin Affairs, Zahra Al Jeelani, Director of “Housa Bin Mohammed” School, Ahmed Jumaa Al Hamili, Head of community outreach at Al Ain Municipality, Bashar Tamimi, General Manager, Bawadi Mall and Khalid Shraim, Marketing Manager, Bawadi Mall.

The show was supervised by teachers Sahar Wazeeri and Sharifa Al Yehyaei, under the direction of Maha Zuheir Al Adib.

This exhibition sought to develop and change the way education is practiced in schools and the need for giving bigger room for creativity in the education process. It also works on further improving excellence in students and groom them with good talents and ethics.

Khalid Shraim, Marketing Manager, Bawadi Mall, said: “We were glad to host this exhibition which aimed at enhancing the talents of our students and directing it in the right way. The displays varied from art to simple drawings. We saw huge interest from visitors through out 8 days. Bawadi Mall hosted this show out of our beliefs that such exhibitions will further enhance the cultural position of Al Ain in the Pan Arab region.”

Zahra Al Jeelani, Director of “Housa Bin Mohammed” School, said: “Art was always associated with education where both enhance the way of living of the people. This show demonstrated the talents of our students and it has boosted their self confidence because their talents were recognized by visitors. Choosing Bawadi Mall as a venue to host this event has played an instrumental role in enhancing its success.”

The show organizers urged the business community to nurture artistic talents and establish academies and educational centers to enrich art and culture.

Visitors praised the talents of the children in the UAE. This show, based on simplicity, creativity and innovation, managed to bridge the gap between the art of drawing and people.

DMAF announces Support for New Higher Education Qualification ‘Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries’ (MCCI)

2010-02-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) announced its support for the ‘Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries’ (MCCI) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between H.E. Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF; and Dr. Simon Jones, Director of Higher Colleges of Technology (Abu Dhabi Men’s). The ceremony was attended by Jalal Luqman, one of two ADMAF scholars chosen to undertake the course.

The Masters programme was launched in October 2009 by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and the Centre for Applied Research and Training (CERT). ADMAF joined representatives from these institutions to sign an MoU demonstrating the Foundation’s commitment to furthering cultural educational programs in the UAE. ADMAF provided support for the design and development of the Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries, as well as scholarships for two UAE citizens.

H.E. Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo commented: “Furthering the educational programmes in the UAE is a cause very dear to my heart, and one of the core missions of the Foundation. Today’s MoU signing not only marks a new phase in ADMAF’s partnerships with educational institutions in the UAE, but is also an important day for the two recipients of the ADMAF scholarships. I feel that enabling artists Jalal Luqman and Sumayyah Al Suwaidi to take the next step in their careers in arts and culture, will strengthen the next generations’ understanding of the overall industry, which will in turn inspire further innovation and development.”

Dr. Jones commended the important role ADMAF plays in supporting arts, culture and education in Abu Dhabi, pointing out that the Abu Dhabi Men’s College has a special relationship with ADMAF. The College cooperates with the Foundation in organising a number of cultural trips for its students. Recently, ADMAF supported a trip to Zurich, where media students visited prestigious cultural institutions in Switzerland and Germany.

Dr. Jones added: “It is our pleasure to build bridges between many cultures and work on strengthening them in a systematic way. We are delighted that ADMAF is supporting the Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries presented by the Centre for Applied Research and Training (CERT) and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)”

The two Emirati visual artists selected to join the MCCI program are Jalal Luqman and Sumayyah al Suwaidi. Sumayyah is a skilled digital artist creating photographic masterpieces from seemingly familiar scenes. Jalal is a ground-breaking artist who combines metalwork with digital painting, creating provocative yet emotional works in this unique medium.

Following the MoU signing, ADMAF was invited to visit an MCCI class in progress, “Cultural and Creative Industries and their Organisations in Context”. Accompanied by Dr. Sian Prime, Director of the MA Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths, University of London, the delegation was able to experience firsthand some of the innovative ideas and topics discussed in the classes.

About ADMAF
The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision. Established in 1996 by Her Excellency Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, ADMAF is a not-for-profit organisation under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

ADMAF’s broad programme of initiatives and events - including the Abu Dhabi Festival and the International Comic Strip & Cartoon Art Festival among many others - brings together audiences of all ages and nationalities. Through its educational and community programs, it nurtures the creative talent of the UAE and beyond, in partnership with leading national and international institutions.
Visit www.admaf.org

Sense of Sight

2010-02-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai and Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) proudly opened the ‘Sense of Sight’ photography exhibition Wednesday February 3rd, showcasing eight emerging local photographers based in the UAE. Images of aliens, phantoms, bugs and peacock feathers were all incorporated into the show, which opened with cocktails for guests and the opportunity to meet with the participating photographers and view their work, in addition to several members of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai management and staff. The exhibition will run until February 24th and the photographs will be judged by a panel of experts and the winner awarded a prize of AED 10,000.

Riad Mahfouz, Mona Shihabi (Chief Finance Officer, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai), Pat Simons (Chief Nurse & Operating Officer, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai), Dr.Edmondo Borasio (Consultant Corneal and Refractive Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai) and Dr. Renata Puertas (Consultant Glaucoma Surgeon, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai)

The works of Karen Dias, Kahlil A. de Pio, Omar Ibrahim, Jalal Abuthina, Altamash Urooj, Hind Mezaina, Zarina Fernandes and Kamil Roxas proved to be a hit among the art enthusiasts and community members who attended the event. This project allowed the photographers the freedom to explore and present through their lenses their interpretation of common eye diseases including hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, cataracts and Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) using people, places, animate/inanimate objects in their everyday surroundings.

Altamash Urooj, one of the participating photographers at the exhibition said; “We owe it to society as artists to be a part of positive growth and change. The importance of vision is very close to me as a photographer and I am humbled to be a part of a movement to bring awareness through art about the importance of medical attention for vision.”

Fellow exhibiting photographer, Kahlil A. de Pinto, depicted a girl becoming blind and then visualizing her life through memories of her sister. His work (My sister and I) comprises of individual images shot, handpainted and then reassembled as a single image, to suggest a patchwork of memories stitched together without any visual sense.

He was inspired by the idea of ‘phantom limbs’, where the mind perceives a part of the body which no longer exists; losing vision but retaining visual memories. The idea came about through discussions with experts at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai. His project took around three weeks to complete.

The exhibition aims to emphasize the importance of vision awareness and the many vision related problems that regularly go undetected. Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai hopes through this exhibition to encourage people to get regular vision screening to test for these common eye diseases which affect many people.

Addressing guests at the opening of the exhibition, Dr Edmondo Borasio, Consultant Corneal and Refractive Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said “As a consultant surgeon, it is fascinating to see how these talented photographers have artistically interpreted a variety of vision related medical conditions. The support for the opening was overwhelming and our thanks to all those participating photographers and to DUCTAC for hosting this unique exhibition.”

Emma Haggerty, Marketing officer of Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, comments: “We had a large turnout at the opening which is excellent. It is great to see people who are interested not only in learning more about vision impairments but hopefully appreciating the unique talents of these gifted photographers””.

About DUCTAC
Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre is the first modern, non profit, cross-community multi-art form creative centre in the Gulf. The Centre was officially opened on 1 November 2006 by Honorary Patron HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Located on Level 2 of Mall of the Emirates, the Centre occupies around 80,000 square feet and includes a 543-seat theatre, 200-seat studio theatre, art gallery, dance studios, rehearsal rooms, artists’ studios, classrooms, mosaic and pottery workshops, and food and beverage facilities. Also on site is the Centre For Musical Arts, The Old Library and Arts Materials Shop.

The Centre is host to some 100 classes a week, local, national and international shows, artists, productions and performances. Facilities are available for hire performances, seminars, workshops and presentations.

Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre does not receive any funding. It relies on the generous support of sponsors and patrons and on income generated through the hire of its facilities. The Centre is currently fundraising to support its artistic programme, educational and outreach work.

www.ductac.org

About Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai
Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) is the first overseas branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the oldest and one of the largest centres for ophthalmic treatment, teaching and research in the world. Located at the Al Razi Medical Complex in Dubai Health Care City, the facility provides daycase surgery and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, for a variety of surgical and non-surgical eye conditions. MEHD will also raise standards for research and teaching in the region through its partnership with the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center. MEHD is owned and managed by the NHS Foundation Trust, and maintains close links with London, including a telelink with sophisticated videoconferencing technology, to ensure that patients in the GCC receive the best eye care treatment in the world.

www.moorfields.ae

Meet us on Feb 6 at Souq Extra! @ DIP

2010-02-03T03:37:00.000-08:00

Ei there, we will be showcasing and selling our gitshop items at the Souq Extra! Community Bazaar on Feb 6, Saturday, from 10am to 5pm in DIP. Drive down and meet us!

Directions:
After you exit Emirates Road to go to DIP, ignore the main and take the second entrance a few meters more down the road. After you turn right, you'll reach a roundabout (on the right would be the Market, The Courtyard), go LEFT on this r/a.

Go straight, pass three roundabouts, on the THIRD roundabout make a U-turn. Take right on the second entrance to Ewan residences, there will be a sign pointing to the Souq Extra!.

Alternatively, once you're in DIP, just follow the sign to either Souq Extra! or Spinneys.

See you there!

Cool computer accessories

2010-01-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

Make work more fun!

Newly stocked Gift Shop

2010-01-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

Check out the new stocks at www.OrangeJar.com's Gift Shop. We have trendy shirts, matching couple shirts and polo shirts perfect as Valentine's gifts, nifty speakers and USB hubs that look like toys, and more.

We don't have an actual shop, OrangeJar reps can ship within the UAE or meet you in person. Check it out now! Email us at orangejar@orangejar.com for any orders.

IF: Clumsy

2010-01-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

What was done was done. A tear formed in her eye, as she looked at the broken glass.

IF: Confined

2010-01-08T06:43:00.000-08:00

My grandmother, Monica Avancena de Castro, is one strong-willed lady. She has had 8 strokes and yet you can see her strong will to live.

I was still young when she had her first stroke, half her body was paralyzed but that did not deter her. She went on and showed us all how to be a strong woman despite adversities.

For the last few years she has been confined to this wheel chair and during this last visit, she finds it harder to speak and move but her eyes are as lively and impish as ever. She'd be the first to ask if you've already eaten or how my parents, brothers and nephews are.

This is for you Lola. We love you.

*Pencil, Photoshop

ADMAF REVIVES TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC ARTS WITH UNIQUE WORKSHOPS BY THE PRINCE’S SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL ARTS

2009-12-08T06:44:00.001-08:00

Traditional Islamic arts and crafts were the focus of attention at educational institutions across Abu Dhabi recently through a series of workshops organised by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). The initiative, which was the first of its kind held in the Gulf region, highlighted the richness of these traditional practices, encouraging creativity, spreading knowledge and establishing building blocks to inspire future Emirati artists.

The workshops provided a platform for young students to reconnect with an important part of their cultural heritage. They were organised in cooperation with the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales and the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

Facilitators from the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in the UK worked with 260 students over a period of two weeks to explore geometric designs and patterns from nature applied to traditional Islamic Art. The workshops were held under two general themes: “Introduction to Traditional Islamic Design” and “Patterns from Abu Dhabi”. They were organised as part of ADMAF’s comprehensive educational programme, which seeks to provide young national talent with the tools to realize their potential in the fields of arts and culture.

Students from the Applied Media and Graphic Design Programmes of the Higher Colleges of Technology- Women’s College in Abu Dhabi and the Graphic Design and Web Design Programmes of Zayed University participated in the first workshops, which provided guidance on construction methods for geometric patterns and biomorphic motifs, both of which have traditionally governed all aspects of Islamic art. After exploring the close relationship between nature and Islamic art, the students created the design for a prayer rug or a Mihrab, inspired by natural environment of Abu Dhabi.

The “Patterns from Abu Dhabi” workshops introduced students from the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls, the British School- Al Khubairat and the Al Shohub School for Girls to simple geometric designs found in the mud forts of Abu Dhabi and their connection to the order of nature. The students studied symmetry and pattern in nature and were given an opportunity to create their own design using activities suited to various ages and abilities including stencilling, printing, painting and drawing.

Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, said, “Islamic arts heritage is one of our most valuable treasures and could be lost if serious effort is not put into passing it onto the new generation. The traditional arts and crafts workshops we organised and supported in Abu Dhabi aimed to ensure that this important part of our culture is preserved. These workshops add another dimension to ADMAF’s educational activities, which seek to not only spread knowledge on modern art but also to revive Islamic arts and inspire new talent for the future.”

The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts was founded in 2004 by HRH The Prince of Wales as one of his core charities. It specializes in teaching, researching and promoting creativity, practice and theory of the arts and crafts of the world’s great traditions.

About ADMAF:
The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision. Established in 1996 by Her Excellency Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, ADMAF is a not-for-profit organisation under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

ADMAF’s broad programme of initiatives and events - including the Abu Dhabi Festival and the International Comic Strip & Cartoon Art Festival among many others - brings together audiences of all ages and nationalities. Through its educational and community programs, it nurtures the creative talent of the UAE and beyond, in partnership with leading national and international institutions.

Visit www.admaf.org

IF: Crunchy

2009-12-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

It was a crunchy sound he did not welcome at all.

HH Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award

2009-11-11T02:22:00.000-08:00

Public Exhibition of Shortlisted Works for Her Highness Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award to open on Sunday

The Art Centre at Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment, today announced that all shortlisted entries for Her Highness Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award 2009 will be shown in a major exhibition from Sunday, 15th November 2009 to Thursday, 19th November 2009.

The exhibition, which will be held in The Art Centre at Dubai Ladies Club, will feature 50 artworks by young Emirati and UAE resident artists and is open to male and female visitors from 10 am to 9 pm.

In line with the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the competition aims to encourage, recognize and promote emerging artists from the UAE.
Now in its third year, this year’s competition has seen the highest ever number of submissions with more than 250 entries from 14 different nationalities, reflecting the continued interest in art within the community and the role of H.H. Sheikha Manal’s Young Artist Award as the UAE’s most important award for young emerging artists.

Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club added, “The result of the application process has been overwhelming. We are very pleased with this year’s 50 shortlisted contemporary pieces which range greatly in subject matter and context. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the participants who offered us their best works, the distinguished judges for giving their consent and time to be part of this project and thereby contributing significantly towards the development and recognition of art and culture, and our exclusive sponsor Etisalat who has provided us with support in order to make this event a success.”

The competition received entries in a variety of mediums, from digital animation and video to paintings, sculpture, drawings and photography. It was open to all UAE residents, male and female, between the ages of 18 to 30 years. One major criterion for the award was that the artist should not have had an independent solo exhibition previously. This year’s shortlist includes first time entrants as well as participants of Her Highness Sheikha Manal Art Exchange Program.

The shortlisted entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel comprised of prominent figures from the world of art, art experts and educators from recognized global institutions including Sheikha Latifa Bint Maktoum, Founder of Tashkeel; Judith Greer, Associate Director of International Programmes for the Sharjah Art Foundation; Salwa Mikdadi, Head of Arts and Culture Program at the Emirates Foundation; Jassim Al Awadhi, Emirati photographer and Chairman of UAE Photography Club. The winning artists will be announced during the Gala Award Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, 24th November 2009.

Furthermore, following the opening of the exhibition on Sunday, 15th November 2009, the public will have a chance to vote for their favourite art work for ‘The People’s Choice Award’ through the website’s online voting feature. The People's Choice Award is distinctive in that it is the only award that is not conferred by the jury. Rather, it is bestowed on the finalist artist whose work receives the most public votes.

To view the 50 shortlisted entries and to submit your vote for ‘The People’s Choice Award’ please visit www.youngartistaward.ae.

The Art Centre
In line with Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s support of various artistic and cultural initiatives for women and the youth in the UAE, she established The Art Center at Dubai Ladies Club. This fully equipped and dedicated facility offers a variety if courses ranging from fine arts to applied arts, design to crafts, creative writing to music and photography. It is the first dedicated art facility in Dubai for ladies and includes an arts and crafts shop, photography studio and an art exhibition hall.

Dubai Ladies Club
The Dubai Ladies Club is not just another club. Founded in 2003 as part of the Dubai Women Establishment by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, its mission was to create an oasis where the modern Emirati woman could develop her interests and talents, be they in the arts, sport, fashion, philanthropy or business. A place not only to satisfy women’s existing needs, but to enhance and encourage new skills and awareness. The club’s stated objective was to help national women realize their potential, and as a result, contribute to an ever changing, dynamic, modern society.

Successfully combining luxury with learning, modernity with tradition, the local with the global, since its inception the club has developed and gone on to become a powerhouse of cultural exchange, debate and recreation for women of all ages and nationalities.

The clubs world-class facilities and services include a dedicated Art Centre, a superior Childcare Centre, fully equipped Fitness Centre and the five-star Moroccan Style Al Asalla Spa. The club also offers a long line of programs, events and activities which will help nurture and nourish spiritual wellbeing of every woman. Moreover, the tranquil atmosphere envelopes the Club is further enhanced by its exquisite location overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in Dubai.
For more information about Dubai Ladies Club, please visit www.dubailadiesclub.com.

Blur @ Illustration Friday

2009-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

I've only done Illustration Friday once before but I really find the idea very fun. Here's how it works: once you sign up, they will email you the topic of the week and you have to draw your own interpretation.

After my initial effort (done on a different blog), I sort of got waylaid by so many other things. But. Here I am again.

So here's a quickly sketched and colored work that I made:

Wigi found his element. Head low, foot on the pedal, he sped, willing the kart with all his might.

Calling all Contemporary MENASA Artists

2009-11-09T02:18:00.000-08:00

The Abraaj Capital Art Prize Increases Number of Winners in New Application Process for 2011

Deadline for applications is January 31st 2010

Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 9 November, 2009 - The Abraaj Capital Art Prize has announced its new application process for its third year, 2011. It will now allow artists to apply for the prize themselves. In addition, the number of winners has been increased from three to five. These modifications have been put in place to offer more contemporary artists from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) the opportunity to benefit from the support and global recognition of the prize.

“We have concluded that widening the number of winners from three to five will give more artists from this culturally rich region of 1.6 billion people the opportunity to create a work of art that pushes the boundaries of their practice and offers them an international platform to showcase their work,” commented Savita Apte, Chair of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize.

The US $1 million art prize has been awarded twice since its development in 2008 by Dubai-based Abraaj Capital, each time to three sets of winners comprising an artist and an internationally renowned curator. The award is the world’s most generous art prize and has quickly achieved international recognition, boosting the overall profile of art from the region as well as each of the winners to date. Unveiled each year at Art Dubai, the works of the 2009 winners have been displayed this summer in the Museum of Arts & Design in New York City.

“Having followed the progression of the 2009 Abraaj Capital Art Prize recipients, we’ve seen that winning the Abraaj Capital Art Prize has not only increased their status and acclaim in the international art world, but more importantly given them the opportunity of creating new, more monumental and ambitious artworks. Identifying and empowering potential is a key mission for Abraaj Capital, and by extending the Prize to a larger field of artists, we further strengthen that objective in the MENASA art community,” added Fred Sicre, Executive Director of Abraaj Capital.

Abraaj Capital, which was founded in 2002, invests in the growing MENASA region, taking well-run, promising companies and turning them into regional and even global champions. Artworks resulting from the prize form part of Abraaj Capital’s corporate collection.

To apply as an artist for the Abraaj Capital Art Prize 2011 or for more information, please visit www.abraaj.com/acap or contact the Abraaj Capital Art Prize Manager Laura Trelford on artprize@abraaj.com or +971 4323 3434.

About the Abraaj Capital Art Prize: The Abraaj Capital Art Prize is the world’s most generous art prize worth US $1 million. It provides an opportunity for creative collaboration between international curators and artists from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). The prize was established in April 2008 and is designed to create a viable platform for individual artists who are revered in their local communities but lack international critical and commercial exposure. The Abraaj Capital Art Prize provides artists with the opportunity to hone their talents working alongside international curators and to reach a global audience through the display of their work at Art Dubai and the Museum of Arts and Design. Displaying their work at the Middle East’s largest contemporary art fair raises the curtain on their talent, affording finalists global recognition.

Criteria for applications: Only artists from the MENASA region can apply. There is no age limit, and any type or variety of media can be used. The works need to be rooted in local culture and appeal to an international audience. Artists are required to submit specific budgetary projections and requirements. Most importantly, artists have to produce a personal statement that explains how they see themselves as representative of the country in which they were born, and why their artwork and artistic message is important and deserves to be recognised by a wider arts community. Applications open in October, and the winning artists are announced in the middle of the following year. Once chosen, the winners have six months to create their works, which are then unveiled in March at Art Dubai, the Middle East’s biggest art fair.

Previous winners: The 2009 winners were: Kutluğ Ataman (Turkey), with Curator Cristiana Perrella (Italy); Zoulikha Bouabdellah (Algeria), with Curator Carol Solomon (United States); Nazgol Ansarinia (Iran), with Curator Leyla Fakhr (Iran). The 2010 winners are: Kader Attia (Algeria), with Curator Laurie Ann Farrell (United States); Hala Elkoussy (Egypt), with Curator Jelle Bouwhuis (Netherlands); Marwan Sahmarani (Lebanon), with Curator Mahita El Bacha Urieta (UK).

About Abraaj Capital: Abraaj Capital is the largest private equity group in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). Since its inception in 2002, it has raised about US$ 7 billion for its funds, and made more than 35 investments across eleven countries. Based in Dubai, Abraaj operates offices in five countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. More than 150 world-class professionals work at Abraaj from 27 different nationalities. Abraaj’s holdings include some of the region’s most prominent companies, such as Air Arabia, the region’s largest low-cost carrier; Acibadem Healthcare Group, Turkey’s biggest privately owned operator of premium hospitals; and Al Borg Laboratory, the Middle East’s biggest medical laboratory-testing company. Abraaj has won several international awards, and is a four-time winner of PEI’s ‘Middle Eastern Private Equity Firm of the Year’. Abraaj operates five funds, and has distributed about US$ 3 billion to investors from 20 exits, where it generated superior returns from the value it added. Abraaj Capital Ltd. is licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, which operates according to international regulatory standards.

Children of the world

2009-11-09T02:08:00.000-08:00

Interesting. Wouldn't mind driving to Abu Dhabi to see these:

ART SAWA invites you to the Abu Dhabi Art fair (Main galleries section: booth A9) from November 18 to 22, to view: The Children of the World by Rachid Khimoune

Rachid Khimoune’s greatest creation and lifework “Children Of The world”
to be held at Abu Dhabi Art fair in the garden of Emirates Palace.

ART SAWA will showcase an exhibition on a scale rarely seen in UAE.
A Monumental collection of sculptures by the renowned French /Algerian artist Rachid Khimoune.

This latest exhibition, curated by ART SAWA, comprises twenty-one remarkable sculptures depicting twenty-one children from all over the world, twenty-one being a metaphor for the 21stcentury in which the works were created. Rachid Khimoune’s artistic approach is rich, unique, and contemporary and appeals to an international audience: the artist has travelled the world searching for the original roots of his subjects and their cities.

“Children Of The World is a truly exceptional creation that ART SAWA is pleased to bring to the UAE and the region. We have always strived to raise the bar on the quality of life for the people of UAE and works of arts such as those created by the highly acclaimed Rachid Khimoune, will surely add a new creative dimension to the artistic offering in UAE and the region.”

Amel B. Makkawi, director of ART SAWA, commented; “This is a truly inspirational and universal project and is particularly relevant to this youthful country, where it will stand as a symbol of the complex relationship between art, history and the city’s diverse urban communities. The UAE, with its vibrant and multicultural human landscape, is the ideal and natural host for this great work of art.”

The scope of this exhibition befits the nature of Rachid Khimoune’s art: over eight years of creation, travel and immersion in the urban components of twenty-one international cities have resulted in an extraordinary body of work. “Children Of The World “explores and uncovers the diversity of the world’s people and is as inimitable as the different cultures it portrays.

Each piece is layered with the stories of cities and their people, and these become embedded in each cast as a visual expression of a historical and human archive. He has captured “the skins of the streets”, moulded their paving stones, drain covers and broken bitumen to produce works of art quite unlike any other.

The urban theme is the central focus and the inspiration of his work. Khimoune explains, “Although all streets seem to be the same, sewer plates and grids around trees are as different from one city to another as tattoos on skin. These are the symbols that represent the identity and document the history or memory of the city.”

Rachid Khimoune was born in France in 1953, in Decazeville (Aveyron) to Algerian parents. He graduated from L’Ecole Supérieure des Beaux Arts, in Paris in 1974, France’s most prestigious fine arts school, and first attained renown as a painter before turning to sculpture. Khimoune further commented, “Seeing what one doesn’t see anymore, looking at things differently, in magic and in dreams.” This is what makes his art so strong and meaningful. From the sewer plate, to the old electric plug, and through all his scavenged objects, Rachid gives depth and life to insignificant details.

One of the many goals for ART SAWA is to promote the UAE as a country where art and culture flourish and where artists can come and show their work to people who have an appreciation of great art. Having Rachid choose UAE and ART SAWA is an honour and we would encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity and come and experience this wonderful artist’s work. In keeping with ART SAWA’s commitment of giving back to the community while bringing art to it, it is hoped that this collection will find a permanent public home in the UAE.

For further information, please contact ART SAWA on shows@artsawa.com

Images © RACHID KHIMOUNE, Courtesy ART SAWA

www.artsawa.com

Kempinski Art Calendar

2009-11-05T04:07:00.000-08:00

Vindemia Gallery and Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates presents ‘Art Calendar 2009’

Nov 09 – Nov 16 Memorabilia - an exclusive collection of movie posters, magazines and Oscar’s memorabilia that has been autographed by some of the most sought after Hollywood icons and famed politicians. This is the first time such an extensive exhibition has been showcased in the Middle East

Nov 18 – Dec 12 Donne in Art - Zahura Sultana Hussien (Bangladesh)
Zahura has numerous exhibitions all over the globe as well as many works in private collections. Never afraid to experiment; her work is striking and inspiring

-Wafa Khazendar (UAE)
An artist and poet, she acquires her ideas from keen observation of life’s details, people’s experiences and books she reads

-Nicoletta Burdisso (Italy)
Nicoletta tries to convey deep emotions through an abundance of details, she has always lived by the sea and this shows through in her paintings

-Simonetta Porazzo (Italy)
A divulger and passionate women, her art is full of languages, signs, figures, symbols and sounds. Simonetta communicates, suggests, plays, understands, tries, experiments and most of all she moves.

-Nilofar Mehrin (Iran)
Born in Tehran, Nilofar has completed degrees in Art, Languages and Literature and she has worked as a graphic artist, all the while continuing to paint and draw.

-Anna Caser (Italy)
Anna has been an active artist since 1960 participating in personal and collective exhibitions in Europe, UAS and Canada. Educated at the Fine Arts School in Genoa, she has taught Art, attended the artistic ceramic laboratory in Albissola and completed specialized courses in figure drawing and colour theory.

Dec 14 – Jan 05 Lyrics Georges Bassil (Lebanon) - a self-educated painter, Bassil’s lyrical paintings of intimate encounters captivate viewers of all ages and tastes. His work is noted for powerful presence of his timid subjects and daring. His true spirit lies in the gallery, a place where the public can obtain a real sense of association to his works.

A unique insight into Yemen

2009-11-03T23:49:00.000-08:00

Hello UAE!! How have you been? Been quite a while since my last post. Busy, busy, busy. Been dipping my hand in oils and inks.

Anyway, if you want to see a unique insight into Yemen, you should go check out this exhibit:

Help needed for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

2009-09-27T22:58:00.001-07:00

A little but much important break from art-related stuff:

The Philippines has been rocked by a natural calamity - Typhoon Ondoy, international name Ketsana. Many places are flooded, houses destroyed and still, many people are in need of rescue.

Relief and rescue operations have been launched since the day the typhoon started wreaking havoc but more help is needed, either monetary or in kind.

You can send money directly to the Philippine Red Cross or if you're in the UAE and you want to give donations in kind, you can coordinate with the University of the Philippines Alumni Chapter (UPAA-UAE).

UPAA-UAE
Cash pledges and donations in Dubai please call Abet Alba, 050-136 7265.
For Abu Dhabi, contact Earl Palacios - 050-8223516.
All other emirates, kindly coordinate Emily - 050-9533459.

If you want to donate goods - blankets, clothes (esp. for children), slippers, canned goods, rice, cooking oil, sugar, coffee, sleeping mats, medicine and first aid kits, etc. - please contact Arn Cerneo from LBC 050-9250662 and he can give you a free box.

Here are some video posts from the Philippines:

Don't know where the click video to donate leads to, but it's always safer to donate to the Red Cross or institutions you know.

Please spread the word.

Paint tonight at theJamjar

2009-09-24T00:19:00.000-07:00

This sounds like fun, and at 50aed for the whole night, price is definitely a steal.

--
Facebook message from theJamjar:

Come down to thejamjar tonight for SKETCH #4, an evening of live sketching and art making that 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 registration fee is AED 50 and all basic materials needed for the event will be provided.

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.

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.

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

SKETCH #4: Presents live music and visual elements by "Whitney Huston, We have a Problem" (James Clar from discoballbreaker)

For more details go to the event page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=130638176900&index=1

Hope to see you tonight

Best wishes
thejamjar team

Understanding Opera

2009-09-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

Anybody up for some Opera? If you don't have an inkling what's happening but would like to know more, then this is right up your venue:

Art Sawa is starting its season of Programs by introducing Music Appreciation:
Understanding Opera by David Lesser.

Passionate, dramatic, colorful and psychologically probing, Opera is a fascinating and ever changing art with universal appeal. Open to everyone who would like to begin to develop or widen their knowledge of Opera, this course will explore how Opera works on stage and trace its history during the 18th and 19th centuries. The course will focus on some of the best loved works by Handel, Rameau, Mozart, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini and their contemporaries.

Schedule:
Option Mornings: Tuesdays 10.30-12.00
Option Evenings: Wednesdays 19.30 – 21.00

Dates:
Tuesdays
|6Oct|13Oct|20Oct|27Oct| Break: 3Nov|
|10Nov|17Nov|24Nov|1Dec|8Dec|15Dec|
Wednesdays
|7Oct|14Oct|21Oct|28Oct|Break:4Nov|
|11Nov|18Nov|25Nov|2Dec|9Dec|16Dec|

Audience: Seniors (15+)
Number of sessions: 1 Cycle: 10 lessons (4 lessons + 1 week break + 6 lessons)
Fees: 950 AED (Full Cycle)

Kindly register on workshop@artsawa.com
Or call Art Sawa on 04-3408660

Deadline for registration: 3 October 2009

www.artsawa.com

Art beats the economic blues

2009-09-17T02:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a great twist in treating the general economic gloom and doom. We should take a page from them and turn this setback into an advantage(Orangejar takes the hint and will post new art projects soon):

Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre reports more people turning to art as an antidote to economic gloom

In the pic: Maria Peat, Arts Centre Manager DUCTAC

Financial gurus may struggle to find a way out of the downturn but increasing numbers of ordinary people are escaping the economic gloom – by painting pictures, making vases, taking photographs or creating sculptures.

“More than ever we are finding that people from all walks of life are seeking to de-stress and take a break from gloom by taking up the physical arts,” says Maria Peat, Arts Manager at Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC).

“Art can be a great antidote to the economic malaise and we are now offering more classes in art of all kinds than ever before at the centre,” she added. “Participants may not be able solve all the world’s economic problems but they are finding it relaxing fun.

“They are being more cautious about what classes they choose but are looking to develop their artistic side, perhaps because they find they have more time on their hands due to business being slow, working reduced hours or being made redundant.”

The Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, at level two of Mall of the Emirates, is currently offering 14 adult classes in drawing and painting, six in pottery, sculpture and photography and six in the decorative arts. In addition, there are classes for children and teenagers aged from three to 16. A number of the classes for both adults and children are in Arabic.

“Our evening classes are very popular with people being able to leave work and head straight to DUCTAC,” said Peat. “Our most popular classes at the moment are in oil painting and mixed media. Art is clearly proving to be a great stress reliever for our participants and is helping them in developing new skills.”

For more information about the art classes and all other activities at Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, please visit www.ductac.org

About Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre
Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre aims to contribute to the creative and cultural development of Dubai by presenting and hosting a programme of events and participatory activities for Dubai’s many multi-national communities and visitors alike.

The Theatre & Arts Centre is the first modern, non-profit, cross-community creative centre in the Gulf. This flagship project was the brainchild of local theatre-lovers, arts enthusiasts, artists and business people who recognised the need for an entertainment and educational centre for the community and future generations of Dubai. The centre was officially opened on 1 November 2006 by HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre does not receive any funding, relying on the generous support of sponsors and patrons and on income generated from the hire of facilities. The centre is currently fundraising to support its artistic programme, educational and outreach work.

'Fingers and Things' on exhibit

2009-09-15T05:22:00.000-07:00

Check this out: an exhibit of Khaled Abdelwahed's "Fingers and Things" at Artsawa. The exhibition runs from Sept 28 till Oct 28, from 10am-6pm.

Khaled Abdulwahed was born in Syria but Lives and works in Dubai. His work is inspired by ordinary objects, which act as a catalyst to create intense - and sometimes uncomfortable moods.

In "Fingers", the artist's almost obsessive exploration of human digits takes him into the realms of outlandish surrealism which teases the spirit, but provides no punch lines.

In his "Things" studies , seemingly mundane 'subjects' are portrayed as overpoweringly solitary, giving a sense of pointlessness and melancholy isolation. Despite the compulsive forces that inform his work, Khaled's technique - a bold contradiction of technique and naivety - imbues all his work with a unique charm and humor that leaves the viewer feeling positive and strangely liberated.

For more information, go to www.artsawa.com.

DohaTribecaFilm.com Goes Live

2009-08-22T01:04:00.000-07:00

From Personal User Profiles to the Latest Community Activities, Dynamic Online Resource Now Available

August 22, 2009 (Doha, Qatar)— Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) announced today its new website, DohaTribecaFilm.com. As it becomes available, this will be the destination for information about the Festival—opening night, screening times, even where and how to buy tickets—though it offers visitors much more. DTFF, which will take place October 29 to November 1, 2009, aims to create a sustainable film community in Qatar, and that effort is represented in every aspect of this unique new site.

“This site is an incredible resource for the film community,” said Amanda Palmer, DTFF’s executive director. “We’re not only reaching out, we’re telling the rest of the world about life here.”

One area of the site, “Doha365,” offers mini-episodes about the history, traditions and life in Qatar. “Video” offers a showcase for our workshop participants. “Doha/NY Blog” will feature contributions from staff working on the project on both continents. Visitors will be able to create a personalized profile to connect with other film enthusiasts, watch behind-the-scenes footage as the Festival programme is put together, and engage with the regional and international film community.

“You’ve never seen Qatar like this before,” said Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, web content producer. “The traction we’ve already gotten though Facebook, Ikbis and our other social networking tools shows a real hunger out there for our content.”

Other special features on DohaTribecaFilm.com include a Flickr photo gallery of film enthusiasts’ photos documenting the build-up to the Festival; a Doha/NY blog linking DTFF to the Tribeca community; and hours of film-centric programming from Doha-based “Fabulous Picture Show.”

In addition, DohaTribecaFilm.com is the first port of call to learn about the 30+ films being screened at DTFF, as well as the filmmakers behind these regional and global stories. One-on-one interviews, dynamic video content, and opportunities for the community to get involved in competitions, workshops, and other special events are among the highlights of the official website.

The site was designed by dubz.tv in London.

DTFF will run from October 29 to November 1 2009 and is being produced by Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) in collaboration with the Tribeca Film Festival.

About DTFF
Doha Tribeca Film Festival was formed through a strategic partnership by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and CEO Abdulla Al Najjar of the Qatar Museums Authority and the Tribeca Film Festival Founders, Jane Rosenthal, Craig Hatkoff, and Robert De Niro. The arrangement was spearheaded by DTFF Executive Director Amanda Palmer. Uniquely Qatari in its identity, the festival is modeled on the success of Tribeca Film Festival’s dedication to engage the local community and promote filmmaking talent. In its inaugural year, Doha’s first international film festival will celebrate the best of Arabic and international cinema. Its ongoing aim will be to inspire, engage and educate a new generation of cinema appreciation locally; discover, mentor and fund regional filmmaking talent; foster a community through art and entertainment; and encourage open discussion and debate.

Subject: HOT SPOTS: What comes after oil?

2009-08-18T01:09:00.000-07:00

An FB posting from TheJamJar:

Join us for an evening of dialogue and brainstorming around arts and sustainability during the premiere opening of HOT SPOTS: What Comes After Oil? A student poster exchange featuring works by students of Zayed University, American University in Dubai, and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

HOT SPOTS is an interdisciplinary project designed to initiate a multi-national dialogue and exploration of the past, present and future of oil. Its many iterations include public art and installations in abandoned gas stations, symposia, and educational programs. For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.hot-spots.net

The exhibition will run from 1 September - 23 September 2009

The Holy Quran exhibition features manuscripts from the 3rd century AH

2009-08-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

Featuring rare and important Quranic manuscripts from the 3rd to the 13th century AH, the exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into the art of copying the Holy Book through the history of Islam.

Emilie Faure, Collection and Exhibitions Manager of The Farjam Collection, comments “Quranic manuscripts and the art forms with which the word of God was recorded played a crucial role in the history of Islamic arts. Talented calligraphers and craftsmen, including papermakers, bookbinders and illuminators expressed their artistic virtuosity and devotion by producing Qurans of the highest quality.”

The Qurans on display include leaves in Kufic script on parchment, a scroll containing the entire Quran, as well as a line for the Baysunqur Quran dating back to the 9th AH. Related items such as a prayer rug, a book holder, and pieces from the Kaaba curtain will also be on view.

Emilie Faure, continues “we will also be offering a variety of educational materials and programmes to allow for a wide range of audiences to engage with the arts of calligraphy and illumination. A guided tour of the exhibition will take place on Wednesday, 2 September from 1:00 – 1:30pm as part of our usual First Wednesdays series. Our school programmes, specifically designed for children, will launch on October 19 from 10:00am – 12pm. We are very excited about the opportunity to share these important Qurans with the community.”

The Farjam Collection is open: Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm; Saturday 12pm to 8pm.

All exhibitions and programmes are free and open to the public.

The Farjam Collection
The Farjam Collection is one of the finest privately-owned Islamic art collections in the world today. Spanning almost the entire history of Islam, it brings together items produced throughout the vast region between Andalusia and Mughal India. Its treasures include Quranic manuscripts, miniatures and illustrated books on science, mathematics and poetry, as well as finely-decorated metalwork, lacquer, glasswork, tiles, glazed pottery, woodwork, textiles, coins, jewellery, carpets and art from the 13th century AH.

Illustrative of Farhad Farjam’s interests wide ranging affinities and tastes, the collection also includes works by major masters such as Picasso, Chagall, Dali, Braque, Renoir, Matisse, Miro, Leger, and Giacometti, as well as modern and contemporary artists including Warhol, Basquiat, de Kooning, Calder, Moshiri, Ehsai, Tanavoli, Al Rais, and Moustafa.

The Farjam Collection @ DIFC
The Farjam Collection @ DIFC showcases a rotating series of exhibitions drawn from the Farjam Collection. A programme of educational events free and open to the public offers audiences the opportunity to learn more about the works on view and the context in which these were produced.
Please visit www.farjamcollection.com for updates on events at The Farjam Collection @ DIFC.
The Farjam Collection @ DIFC is generously supported by the Hafiz Foundation.

The Hafiz Foundation
The Hafiz Foundation was founded in 2008 to support outstanding initiatives within the visual arts, with a special emphasis on the greater Middle East. With the city of Dubai as its base, the Foundation aims to become a centre for production, preservation, and promotion of the arts at large. At the heart of the Foundation’s goals is the development of educational opportunities for young Middle Eastern artists, students, scholars, curators, and art enthusiasts. As a partner to both local and international cultural initiatives, the Foundation’s recent activities include having supported the founding of the award-winning Middle Eastern arts magazine Bidoun, support for local arts education programs, as well as the organization of a series of exhibitions displaying selected works from The Farjam Collection.

Magrudy's Painting Competition for Kids

2009-08-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hey P'rents and kids!

I was over at Magrudy's the other day, quickly picking up a set of oil paints - been meaning to go back to it for a long time - when I saw these half page registration forms.

Seems that Magrudy's will be holding a KIDS ACTIVITIES PAINTING COMPETITION open to children ages 5-12 years old. All you need is to fill up the registration form and confirm before Aug 21. Competition dates are Aug 28 for Ibn Batuta Ball and Aug 29 for Dubai Festival City.

Check it out while there is still time!

Crafts 101: Recycled Boxes

2009-08-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

This beautiful Friday evening we set out on a quest - to create our very own beautifully recycled boxes.

(With the economic crunch, we'd rather not spend on those beautiful yet pricey boxes we can buy at the stores. Plus, we'll be helping save the environment too!)

My little helpers - Tin, Tel, Ice and Kit - all had a goal of their own. Tin wanted a box for her knickknacks, Tel wanted a jewelery box, Ice wanted a box for his photo collection and Kit wanted a dragon, which we'll talk about in a later project.

The only rule is: we can only use whatever we find in the house which we didn't need anymore.

Generally, what you would need for this project are:
1. Boxes - you can use almost any box. For example: tissue box, shoe box, laundry detergent box, boxes of shampoos and soaps, boxes of gadgets and a lot more. Most of these boxes we just throw away anyway but there are some good ones which just need a little prettying up.
2. Paper for the cover - again, you can use almost any paper. Leftover gift wrappers, paper bags, magazines, newspapers, old comics, drawings, photos, etc.
3. Glue or paste - the dry sticky kind is better so that it does not soak through the paper and end up crumpling it.
4. Scissors - if children are doing the project, please make sure adults are with you to supervise.
5. Colors - depending on your design, you may need to color so pencil colors or watercolor may come in handy.

With creative hands at hand, we set to work.

Lavender Delight
1. In this box, we used a Hallmark paper bag which was used to package some postcards we bought recently. Cut the paper bag into strips to make it easier to attach to the box. Here, we kept all the pretty lavender parts and all the white parts. The paper was a thin one, so we needed to apply two layers on the box to hide the original text.

2. We used the white strips from the paper bag as a first layer by spreading glue all over the box. Then we smoothed out the strips over it.

*If your cover is thick enough to hide any original text or design on the box, then one layer is enough.

3. Make sure that a little part of the paper strip overlap on the edges. You can then fold this over to the other side to make the edges look neat and tidy. Let it dry.

4. Once dry, apply another layer of glue or paste. Using the lavender strips, slowly and carefully put it over the glue. Use your palms to smooth over any creases and don't forget to let the strip go over the edge for a nice finish.

*Make sure you do this to all the sides.

Trinket Keeper
1. On a used white folder, we traced these two patterns to create our own box.

*If you want to make your own box, follow this guide: dark pink broken lines are for folding; the blue broken lines are for cutting.

2. After cutting and folding out the pattern, you can design the outer side. You can paste strips of paper on it or as Tel decided, color the box with her favorite colors.

*This is not shown in the photos, but after she finished coloring, Tel lined the inside of the box with cotton from an old jewelery box and sprayed it with cologne to make it smell nice.

Art explosion
1. Ic and Tin decided to cut out colorful pictures from 2004 magazines which they were told to throw away.

2. Put glue at the back of the cut outs.

3. Carefully smooth out the cutouts over your box.

There are many possibilities. It's all up to you to decide.

Hope you have fun like we did!

*You can play around with this by pasting your favorite pictures all over the box. You can choose words which you like as Tin did. You can compose messages using different word cutouts. You can color it or paste flowers, shells or other decorative items on the cover.

Local artists join Al Noor students to create ‘special’ art

2009-08-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a special project I just saw in the inbox - happened last month, but the initiative is not only unique but very noteworthy:

Finished artwork to be displayed at DUCTAC will embody attitudes, interests, behavioural patterns & emotional responses of special needs children A unique initiative this summer will see talented local artists work with children from Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs. Throughout the summer, artists will interact closely with children to produce artwork inspired by the children that will form part of a subsequent exhibition at DUCTAC’s Gallery of Light. On July 5th, a diverse group of six artists made the first of what will be many visits to Al Noor to introduce themselves to the staff and students and spend quality time with the children, at times communicating only through art.

“The aim of the project is to reproduce the creative ideas of the Al Noor students. Initially the artists plan to get to know the children and understand their attitudes, interests, behavioural patterns, emotional responses and convey those individual traits on to canvass. It is a chance for the artists who have a love for art, and a passion for being artists to reveal their social conscience - it is a unique and rewarding challenge for all,” said DUCTAC’s Fathima Mohiuddin, the organiser of the project.

The children range from five years up to those in their teens. Some can only express themselves non-verbally, but they all share a compassion and energy for art, creativity, design and colour. The end result will be a collaboration of creative ideas, reproduced by the artists. “For the children, the opportunity to interact with creative individuals other than Al Noor staff and students is very exciting. It not only broadens their social circle, it embodies their creative thoughts,” added Mohiuddin.

To get to know an individual in a short period of time and attempt to embody their thoughts in a piece of art will be a memorable task. Each artist’s approach will be entirely unique - Karen Dias, a photographer, plans to provide children with disposable cameras to capture their surroundings as a part of her piece. “Being with the children has taught me that one’s time and support is so much appreciated, it goes such a very long way. Everybody benefits here – it’s good for the soul”, commented Guillermo Munro, another one of the artists. The finished artworks will be displayed in an exhibition in the Gallery of Light at DUCTAC, later this year with the proceeds going to worthy local charities. For DUCTAC the project is yet another example of nurturing an appreciation for the arts in the local community. This summer the Al Noor project demonstrates how art is as much about visiting galleries and taking classes as it is about interaction and dialogue and bringing people together, concluded Mohiuddin.

About Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs
Al Noor is a Centre for Children with Special Needs run under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is passionately committed to helping special needs children from their infancy to adulthood, its goal being to integrate its students into society.

Al Noor Training Centre opened its doors in 1981 and has been developing its training programme to ensure that the Special Children it caters to, receive quality and enriching experiences towards a more independant and functional life.
Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai has given her kind support and guidance. This has widened future horizons and renewed the commitment to work and strive towards providing the best possible service to the Special Needs community in U.A.E.

About DUCTAC
Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC) aims to contribute to the creative and cultural development of Dubai by presenting and hosting a programme of events and participatory activities for Dubai’s many multi-national communities and visitors alike.

The Theatre & Arts Centre is the first modern, non-profit, cross-community creative centre in the Gulf. This flagship project was the brainchild of local theatre-lovers, arts enthusiasts, artists and business people who recognised the need for an entertainment and educational centre for the community and future generations of Dubai.

The Centre was officially opened on 1 November 2006 by HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre does not receive any funding. It relies on the generous support of Sponsors and Patrons, and on income generated through the hire of its facilities. The Centre is currently fundraising to support its artistic programme, educational and outreach work.

Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre is located on Level 2 of The Mall of The Emirates.

Call for Entries for Young Artist Award 2009

2009-08-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

Exciting news to all young artists: Her Highness Sheikha Manal’s Young Artist Award 2009 is now open for entries. This year the application process will be conducted via the newly launched website www.YoungArtistAward.ae where interested participants can follow the instructions on the website to make their online submission. The deadline to apply and upload entries is 8th October, 2009. The competition will be divided into four categories – ‘Fine Art Award’; ‘Photography Award’ and ‘Multimedia Award’. Each category winner, runner up and second runner up will receive a cash prize worth AED30,000, AED20,000 and AED10,000 consecutively.

Deadline for entries: 8th October, 2009. For more information go to www.YoungArtistAward.ae

Doha Tribeca Film Festival Announces Leadership - Amanda Palmer Named Executive Director

2009-08-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) today announced key members of the team heading up the inaugural 2009 Festival. Amanda Palmer, head of entertainment for Al Jazeera English, has been named DTFF Executive Director. Palmer will lead the Festival and work with a team from Tribeca that includes Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises, to shape the programme. Locally the team will include Arab documentary and short films expert Mohamed Maklouf, serving as the festival’s Regional Programmes Advisor, and award-winning Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti serving as Community Outreach Programmer. DTFF will run from October 29 to November 1 2009 and is being produced by Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) in collaboration with the Tribeca Film Festival. “Our vision is to create a festival that genuinely engages the Qatari people and supports regional filmmakers,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of QMA. "This team is going to impact the way this region experiences film.” “We are thrilled to have Amanda on board. Her relationships and her understanding of the region will be an enormous asset," said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival®. “Together, Amanda and Geoff’s experience will help us engage the film world and the Qatari community in an exchange of ideas through the universal language of film.” "When Her Excellency and I started talking about this possibility, it was always clear that the festival vision was to create an authentic film event that truly serves the community,” said Palmer. "Film is such an amazing equalizer and we felt Tribeca was unique in how it creates an event where filmmakers and film-goers can equally celebrate film." As part of the collaboration with Tribeca, the core team of Qatari nationals travelled to New York to learn how the organisation runs an international film festival. Palmer is leading that group in Doha, modelling DTFF programming on the success of Tribeca while creating an authentic, locally-driven, Middle Eastern film festival. "Doha Tribeca Film Festival seeks to initiate a dialogue about the power of film that resonates long after the Festival’s conclusion and creates a sustainable foundation for the growth of a film industry in Qatar," said Gilmore. "We hope that the Festival will help nurture and support area filmmakers and be an important step towards creating the next generation of filmmakers in Qatar." Copti and Maklouf are working to uncover local and regional film talent, while Palmer and Gilmore are exploring new works from established filmmakers to present works from emerging artists that appeals to the Qatari population, the majority of which is under 30 years old. DTFF will include approximately 30 films, as well as special events. In its four days in Doha, DTFF will centre its events around the city’s renowned Museum of Islamic Art. “As the heart of culture and artistic scholarly vision in Doha, we’re delighted to host this festival,” said Abdulla Al Najjar, chief executive officer at QMA. “We look forward to welcoming new audiences.” Up to date information can be found at, www.dohatff.com. The official website will launch August 18. About DTFF Doha Tribeca Film Festival was formed through a strategic partnership by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and CEO Abdulla Al Najjar of the Qatar Museums Authority and the Tribeca Film Festival Founders, Jane Rosenthal, Craig Hatkoff, and Robert De Niro. The arrangement was spearheaded by DTFF Executive Director Amanda Palmer. Uniquely Qatari in its identity, the festival is modeled on the success of Tribeca Film Festival’s dedication to engage the local community and promote filmmaking talent. In its inaugural year, Doha’s first international film festival will celebrate the best of Arabic and international cinema. Its ongoing aim will be to inspire, engage and educate a new generation of cinema appreciation locally; discover, mentor and fund regional filmmaking talent; foster a community through art and entertainment; and encourage open discussion and debate.

Welcome

2009-07-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the long-overdue OrangeJar blog.

This blog will be a supplement to our website OrangeJar.com. Here, we will post art-related events within the UAE, art projects for kids and adults alike and just talk about art and related topics in general.

Enjoy the journey with us - let's colour up this virtual world!