Welcome April!

Happy April Fool's!!!

Wow - the year is just in a hurry to speed past us. That's quarter of the year down already.

Anyway this April, we are looking at more creative stuff ahead. Got this in the email today, April schedule of workshops and more at the Sharjah Museums Department, check it out and have fun!

The Spring of Our Heritage

8 April: UAE traditional crafts programme followed by: Create Your Own Dallah and Finyal workshop.

9 April:  UAE traditional cuisine programme followed by: the preparation of Chami, UAE traditional dish made of frosted goat or cow’s milk workshop.

10 April: Old Emirati kitchen tools in today’s modernity followed by: Kitchen Decoration workshop.

11 April: UAE women’s beauty followed by: a workshop in producing natural perfumes.

To book, call 06 519 7259 or email adults@sharjahmuseums.ae. 

Animation Chamber at Sikka 2013

SIKKA day! 

Went to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood (formerly known as Bastakiya) for the Character Design workshop at the Animation Chamber (House 12). Got there early so went around first and saw lots of inspiring works, will post photos tomorrow.

After going in and out of houses, I arrived just a little before 4pm at the Animation Chamber. Inside, they have five chambers that show how animation works - pretty interesting stuff.

Animation Chamber Photos

Add caption

Flipbook corner

The 5th Chamber was the workshop room and that's where we all sat listening to the teacher Manar Laham, an artist and designer, about how to best tackle making characters. 

Manar set us right to work on an old story where a King marries a woman who does not like his son (who would later become King Mohammad). The son's or prince's best friend is a flying horse. In yesterday's workshop, they drew the old king, so today, Manar suggested we work on the prince or the horse. 

Ironically enough, I said I don't want to work on the horse (with my very poor recollection of its anatomy) but I ended up drawing the horse more. Manar started sketching on his tablet and laptop and his work was projected on the wall. While drawing, he was talking us through points of creating characters and keeping the sketch loose. He then encouraged us to draw at the same time. Every now and then he would go around commenting on our works – you'd here comments like "this needs to be more fluid", "there's a style there I like" "this looks stylized - you can develop it more", "try to do this..." (with a quick demo) and other helpful tips.

There were no references for us to use, so we were literally left with our imaginations. So it was a real surprise for me to come out with a horse – still anatomically challenged, yes, but one that I think is not too bad. In all, it was a fun and informative four-hour session. And it was free to boot - I love Dubai! 

Manar Laham, the teacher.

My first drawings on the left.

My horse had a box or a cone for a head and at one point, three joints on the leg
(till Manar showed me a correctly-joined leg and gave some tips on developing the head).

The head later developed into something I rather liked!

Borrowed this photo from the Animation Chamber's FB page
(Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/TheAnimationChamber)

They have more workshops, so if you're interested check them out. 

I'm heading back to the SIKKA Fair tomorrow for the polymer workshop at House 43. So I'll be posting more photos of SIKKA Fair tomorrow!

Ride Dubai's ArtBus and explore art in the city!

Cool, ArtBus is on again! Going to be sending out invites to my friends to check who wants to go. If you want to go exploring Dubai's art world, read on:

Starts: Thu, 21 March 2013, 10:00 a.m.

Ends: Sat, 23 March 2013, 06:00 p.m.

Location: Dubai - Various locations

Country: United Arab Emirates

The ArtBus, your guide to art fairs, galleries, talks and events taking place in Dubai.

ArtintheCity’s ArtBus returns from 21 - 23 March 2013, in partnership with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage. Now in its seventh year, the ArtBus offers a diverse view of Dubai’s arts and culture scene, and with three routes each taking in a distinct arts area in Dubai, there’s something for everyone.

The ArtBus will be travelling around Dubai on three routes from 21 - 23 March 2013, which include Al Quoz, Jumeirah & Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Downtown & DIFC. Along the routes passengers will be able to visit exhibitions at Dubai’s independent galleries, and also have the opportunity to experience annual fairs Art Dubai and SIKKA 2013. Accompanied by art guides the day-long tour is a chance to see art by international, regional and local artists while meeting like-minded people.

Book your seats now on one of three routes running daily from 21 - 23 March 2013; Al Quoz, Jumeirah & Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Downtown & DIFC.

Al Quoz Route

The galleries situated in the industrial area of Al Quoz have a particular focus on contemporary cutting edge art. With its large warehouses Al Quoz continues to attract innovative galleries and alternative art spaces, with new galleries opening every year. Galleries en route predominantly feature international artists with a high representation of Middle Eastern Contemporary Art.

For art lovers…

looking for an artistic challenge with conceptual art round every corner.

Galleries included in the route are: Art Sawa, Ayyam Gallery, The Barakat Gallery, Carbon 12, The Cartoon Art Gallery, The Courtyard Gallery, Create! @ Sofa Studio, Etemad Gallery, Fn Designs, Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde, Green Art Gallery, Grey Noise, Gulf Photo Plus, J+A Gallery, thejamjar,Khak Gallery, La Galerie Nationale,Lawrie Shabibi, Meem Gallery, Mojo Gallery, Mottahedan Projects, Mussawir Art Gallery, Salsali Private Museum, Satellite, Showcase Gallery, The Third Line, Total Arts, Traffic.

The ArtBus will depart from the first roundabout at Souk Madinat Jumeirah at 10am and return at approximately 6pm where passengers will have the opportunity to visit Art Dubai.

DIFC Gate Village & Downtown Dubai Route

Living the highlife in Dubai means a visit to Dubai’s financial district teaming with high-end galleries at Dubai’s glamorous arts stop; DIFC Gate Village. Once an area for luxury brands it has turned its attention to dressing our walls, from Photography to Fine Art, and visitors may even have a glimpse of a well-known masterpiece. Galleries en route feature established international artists and modern masters, while visits to artsy hangouts and artist studios give an insight into the local arts community.

For art lovers…

looking to turn their passion for art into collecting.

Galleries included in the route are: Alif Art Gallery,Ayjad Gallery, The Ara Gallery, Art Sawa, ArtSpace, Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Cuadro Fine Art Gallery, Cube Arts, The Empty Quarter, The Farjam Collection, Opera Gallery, The Pavilion, Tashkeel and XVA Gallery.

The ArtBus will depart from the first roundabout at Souk Madinat Jumeirah at 10am and return at approximately 5pm where passengers will have the opportunity to visit Art Dubai.

Jumeirah & Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Route

Down by the creek, the heritage site of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is Dubai’s original arts and culture area. Housing several of Dubai’s long established art galleries, artist studios and residencies, as well as the annual SIKKA art fair, the traditional Emirati buildings are a unique way to view art from the region. Galleries en route predominately feature Emirati, local and regional artists.

For art lovers…

looking to discover some of the UAE’s most promising emerging artists.

Galleries included in the route are: The Archive, Art Connection, Beautiful People, DUCTAC, Hunar Gallery, The Majlis Gallery, Pro Art Gallery, SIKKA Art Fair, Tashkeel Bastakiya and the XVA Art Hotel.

The ArtBus will depart from the first roundabout at Souk Madinat Jumeirah at 10am and return at approximately 5pm where passengers will have the opportunity to visit Art Dubai.

To book your seat on one of the three routes, or for more information, please contact ArtintheCity on +9714 341 7303 or artbus@artinthecity.com.

Tickets can also be purchased online from Time Out Tickets. Tickets are priced at 50 AED per person, per day.

*Please note: lunch and entrance to Art Dubai are not included in the ticket price.

*Art Dubai closes to the public at 5:30pm on Saturday 23 March.

*Gallery route is subject to change.

To go to the original article, please click here.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Exhibition, Birth of a Museum, to Open on Saadiyat Island in April

Oh wow! We've heard about Louvre coming to the UAE of course but it will not be finished until 2017 (together with Gugenheim also in 2017 and Zayed National Museum in 2016 ). 

But this April, they are coming up with an exhibit featuring works that will be in the permanent collection - "some of which have never been seen or revealed before". This is quite exciting. I try to drive up to the Capital to see Art events but it's been a long time since I last did that. The last was when the Picasso exhibit was at the Emirates Palace - boy, that was years ago!

Here's the official press release:

Louvre Abu Dhabi Exhibition, Birth of a Museum, to Open on Saadiyat Island in April

Growing numbers of local and visiting audiences are following the development of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. 

Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi exhibition in 2009.

The second exhibition showcasing a selection of the museum’s collection acquired to date

Louvre Abu Dhabi will open its next exhibition on 22 April (running until 20 July) on Saadiyat Island showcasing important works of art from the Louvre Abu Dhabi permanent collection, some of which have never been seen or revealed before.

Almost 130 art works will be shown in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District’s art and exhibition centre, and will give visitors insight into the museum’s narrative and collection ahead of its opening in 2015.

Born of an agreement between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France, Louvre Abu Dhabi will display art, manuscripts and objects of historical, cultural and sociological significance. The museum and its growing permanent collection is owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Spanning millennia, the items on display will originate from societies and cultures all over the world, but universal themes and common influences will be highlighted to illustrate similarities arising from shared human experience transcending geography, nationality and history.

Like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition proposes a singular and original rereading of the history of art and is built around several key artistic and aesthetic questions core to the identity of the new museum: universalism, the comparison between art works from great civilisations from the most ancient times to the contemporary and the multidisciplinary nature of artistic creation. It will also explore the status of the work of art, through universal themes in the exhibition such as questions of the Figure and the Sacred.

Another milestone for the museum’s ongoing cultural programme is the second Louvre Abu Dhabi: Talking Art Series, (running monthly until the 26 June 2013), a rich programme of public events which explore the significance of individual art works both in art historical terms and in the context of the museum’s growing collection, which began in October 2012. This is supported by an expanding education programme with school and University students throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Birth of a Museum is the thirteenth exhibition held prior to the opening of the Saadiyat Cultural District museums. Exhibitions are now at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the art exhibition centre on Saadiyat Island which has been open since 2009.The general curator of the exhibition is Laurence des Cars, Curatorial Director of Agence France-Muséums (AFM), who is supported by a TCA Abu Dhabi and AFM team of diversified skill sets. Museography is done by architect Jean-François Bodin.

--

If you want to read about the construction updates, here's an article from The National "Dh2.4bn construction of Louvre Abu Dhabi to 'start immediately'"

Neil Gaiman's commencement address

I love Neil Gaiman. And I love him even more after his message at his first commencement address for the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. 

Watch it in his blog post. 

Screenshot of Neil Gaiman's blog post. 

Truly inspirational. Thank you Neil. 

Lynne Chapman on becoming an illustrator

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

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.

The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award Announces Call for Entries

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.

Museum ME the UAE

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

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.

"Sketch" at the Jamjar!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENOC holds painting contest to raise awareness about the Environment

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

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

Art Dubai: photos batch 2

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

Art Camp for children this summer at The Farjam Collection

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

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

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.