Project Art initiative returns to empower both local artists and international women
Project Art, the interactive initiative designed to provide Dubai’s best artists a free space to exhibit their work, will return this month for its first show of 2022 – and as well as empowering Dubai’s creative community, it hopes to empower the emirate’s female artists with a special focus on International Women’s Day.
Hosted at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, the popular three-week Project Art residency will start on February 17 and finish on March 11, three days after International Women’s Day on March 8, with Dubai-based French artist Leiana (@art_by_leiana) showcasing a selection of female-inspired artwork from her Les Françaises collection.
“I live by colours, movement, and texture and always seek the wow effect in my pieces,” said Leiana, who moved to Dubai six years ago and started painting as a hobby. “The opportunity to have my work exhibited at Zabeel House is a dream come true and even more so as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Painting for me is an escape from the stresses of modern life; a simple way to relax. I look forward to sharing that process with visitors.”
Leiana will lead a live painting experience on February 21 at 10am in the hotel’s lobby, where spectators will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the artist, observe her technique, ask questions, and learn a little more about her journey from France to the funkiest neighbourhood hangout in Dubai. The artist’s completed work will be available for purchase, as will all her other pieces.
“Project Art is all about empowerment, so the opportunity to show our support to the burgeoning art community while also celebrating International Women’s Day feels like the perfect moment to bring back what proved a very popular initiative when we launched last year,” said Marcus Sutton, General Manager at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens. “Leiana’s work is incredibly inspiring and with Les Françaises focusing on strong, independent women, I’m sure her residency will motivate many others to pursue their passion.”
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Raffles The Palm Dubai collaborates with Hunna Art to present works by four emerging local artists
Raffles The Palm Dubai collaborates with Hunna Art to host an incredible exhibition by four of its finest emerging local artists starting from January 27, 2022, until March 23, 2022.
Through a finely curated exhibition, the four artists in the spotlight – Alia Zaal, Eman Ali, Alymamah Rashed and Talin Hazbar, will offer a unique insight into the Gulf’s contemporary art scene, a sensorial experience for both, guests staying at the hotel and art enthusiasts who wish to visit.
The resort will host a series of talks at the majestic Blüthner Hall, tailored to attract an audience of curious art connoisseurs. Led by Gallerist Océane Sailly, founder and director of Hunna Art, the inaugural talk will deep dive into the topic of “Women in arts and the GCC – Past, present and future” at 4.30pm on January 27.
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Godwin Austen Johnson incorporates local cultural elements into the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah project
Inspired by Sharjah’s unique heritage and culture, the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences by Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) sits comfortably within its environment as a modern interpretation of a classic design inspired by three key elements. For the first element, guests are greeted by a stylised vertical version of a historic banyan tree structure at the entrance. The Rolla tree was once a favourite spot for residents to sit under the dense shade of the branches to wait for the cargo boats arriving at the nearby port. The abstract tree sculptures and contemporary majlis-style seating area replicate these gathering points reminding guests of the welcoming culture of the emirate.
The story continues, with a second element, through a modern interpretation of the Irish style of housing, a traditional palm leaf structure of early UAE homes, through stylised cladding and installations cleverly incorporated into the public space of the lobby area.
The third element is an acknowledgement of the UAE’s ancient art of pearling which is reflected in the luxurious materials used throughout the project and highlighted by a monochrome palette that borrows heavily from the blue shades of the ocean and the cool green shades of the Rolla tree accented by warm desert orange and lustrous pink pearl tones.
Thoughtfully designed seating areas are enclosed by a wall library shelving treatment housing a large collection of contemporary art and books which is extended into the coffee shop with its large communal table and elegant counter detail.
The wellness facilities include a spacious wooden-floor gym as well as a secluded indoor pool leading into a steam room and unique Himalayan Salt Sauna.
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AECOM partners with Royal Commission for AlUla to provide training to the local community in North West Saudi Arabia
Partnering with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), AECOM is delivering project management and leadership training to the local community of AlUla, supporting RCU’s strategic mission to develop the region’s human capital and build a thriving economy.
“RCU is one of our key government clients with whom we are partnering to transform the country under Saudi Vision 2030,” said AECOM’s Soner Keskinel, Vice President, Program Management and Construction Management (PMCM) in Saudi Arabia. “As we develop the heritage-rich AlUla into a world-class destination for nature and culture, an important responsibility is ensuring the local people have the skills that will prepare them for success in the modern job market, enabling them to be active participants in the region’s economic and cultural development.”
The program is being delivered virtually using AECOM’s global learning management platform, with content developed in close collaboration between RCU leaders and subject-matter experts from AECOM’s local team, as well as regional and global resources. Designed with careful consideration to the needs of the local community, the program consists of seven leadership and project management modules that combine guided, expert-led sessions with self-study and online assessments, ending with a case study assessment.
Mohamed S. Alshamari, Chief Economic and Social Development Officer at RCU, said: “HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s vision puts developing people before place. So at the heart of establishing AlUla as a vibrant cultural destination is developing our community’s skills-base, creating new economic opportunities and improving their quality of life. Such large-scale transformation is best achieved through public-private partnerships similar to the collaboration between RCU and AECOM.”
The first cohort of the training program successfully ran from 21 March 21-May 31, 2021, with 94 participants. The second cohort will be welcomed in August.
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Ellington Art Foundation launches ‘The Art of The Silk Road’ competition to support local talent
Ellington Art Foundation, an initiative by property developer Ellington Properties, has announced a new nationwide art competition under the theme ‘The Art of The Silk Road’, to support aspiring and emerging artists in the UAE with commissioned pieces.
The initiative has been launched in line with the art foundation’s goal of promoting the UAE’s creative scene and supporting the nation’s goal to be a global centre for art and design.
Aimed at fostering local artists, the competition will offer homegrown talent an opportunity to elevate their visibility in the art sector by showcasing their creative work at one of Ellington’s award-winning residential projects, Wilton Terraces. The contest is open to all UAE residents aged 18 and over.
Robert Booth, managing director, Ellington Properties, said: “The Wilton Terrace Art Competition highlights our commitment to support and empower the UAE’s art community. We offer local upcoming and striving artists an avenue to showcase their creativity and join the league of featured artists by the Ellington Art Foundation at our communities. Our exceptionally designed residential developments deliver the finest in every aspect of life, and Wilton Terraces will serve as an ideal venue to exhibit award-winning art.”
Artists, photographers and designers can submit their concepts for paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations that display the fusion of oriental and occidental cultures using neutral palette and earth tones. Submissions are open until October 31, 2020 and entries will be reviewed by a panel of seasoned industry experts.
Ellington will award promising artists a premium exhibiting space within their stunning residential development, Wilton Terraces, in addition to monetary support from Ellington Art Foundation to craft the masterpieces.
Some of the art installations and pieces produced and commissioned as part of earlier initiatives include Emirati artist, Khalid Shafar’s sculpture – Palm Bouquet in the reception lobby of Belgravia, Hamama, a suspended art installation created by design students of the American University of Sharjah in Belgravia II and ‘V’, a wooden wall sculpture by Nour Daou in Eaton Place.