DIFC expands its public artwork with two new sculptures
Supporting the nation’s transition to a creative and knowledge-based economy, DIFC is promoting culture and community through its unique public art displays from around the world with two new sculptures that pays tribute to the UAE.
Located in Gate District 6 (Podium Level) at DIFC, the Pillar of Fortitude by renowned artist Helidon Xhixha, alluding to the numeric 1, represents the seven Emirates of the UAE. A winner of the 2016 London Design Biennale Public Medal for his best installation, Helidon was inspired by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, when he declared 2021 as the Year of the 50th.
Contemporary artist Mia Fonssagrives Solow, known for her refined and whimsical aesthetic in both figurative and abstract forms, is showcasing four art pieces in Red (Bone Form), Green (Apple Form), White (Sale Form) and Black (Eggplomb), representing the colors of the UAE flag. Using enamel on fibre glass, the uniquely displayed pieces are strategically placed in front of the Gate Building flags.
The unveiling of new public art displays at DIFC comes at a time when the UAE is focused on boosting the country’s cultural and creative sectors to support the economy and reflect the inclusive participation of young people and global stakeholders. DIFC is committed to the arts and will continue to encourage artists and creatives from around the world to promote their work at the urban vibrant destination.
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3D calligraphy for the first time at ‘DIFC Art Nights’
‘DIFC Art Nights’ will kick off at the Dubai International Financial Center on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, for the new edition of its two-day event, with the participation of a group of UAE-based artists, who exhibit collections of their most beautiful artworks to a diverse international audience.
New to this session, which will be held in the “Village of the Gate”, is the special presence of the art of “calligraffiti”, which combines calligraphy, and graffiti (wall drawings) in three-dimensional paintings rich in bold colors, through the young artist Foad Hamzeh who goes by the name “FH.Visual”.
Foad Hamzeh is displaying his impressive collection of 3D calligraphy after the wide turnout witnessed by the artwork he participated in in the “Art of the World Dubai” exhibition early last October. What was remarkable in the exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Center is the interest of a large group of foreign visitors in the paintings of calligraphy painted in the style of calligraffiti. Hamzeh is a University of Architecture graduate (Art and Design) of The American University of Dubai. He also studied Arabic calligraphy for two years with the famous calligrapher, Wissam Shawkat. Hamzeh devised his own Arabic font, “Al-Fouad” which is used for Arabic graffiti.