Uncover the latest in design, architecture & the written word. Here, we showcase emerging local artists, the latest gallery exhibits in Dubai Art, design trends & more.
– E.L Doctorow In the deep trenches of a writer’s heart lie sensitivity and a hungry observer longing for a listen. That little pen you buy from the store has the power to make or break through its ink; it can build opinions, challenge them, resolve and recreate them. Writing has the ability t…
Giving Harry Potter’s Wingardium Leviosa spell a run for its money, Japanese artist Natsumi Hayashi began uploading self-shots on the internet of her floating in mid-air in 2011. It’s not flying, it’s art. What’s remarkable about her work is that she does to use any sort of photo manipulation to pro…
It’s difficult to come across a person who doesn’t know of Da Vinci’s masterpiece; Mona Lisa or La Gioconda, but what most people don’t know is the reason behind it’s fame. The masterpiece owes it worldwide fame to it’s theft on August 21, 1911, when Louvre employee Vincenzo Perrugia (pictured below…
One of the items on my so called ‘bucket list’ is to learn a new language. I’m technically trilingual, since I speak English fluently and can get by fairly well with Hindi and Sindhi, but learning a language that isn’t spoken in India (where I originate from) is a different sort of challenge altoget…
Siem Reap isn’t the capital of Cambodia. It isn’t even a metropolis with towering skyscrapers. It is, in fact, just a rustic town with plenty of rice paddies and a muddy river. Then what is it about Siem Reap that attracts around two million tourists annually from all over the globe? The…
The long-standing fad, which we casually quote for fashion and style, transpired in the 19th century in Europe. Of course, it wasn’t a fad then, it was the way artists, writers, musicians and actors lived – poor, unconventional, transitorily and free. In the 60s and 70s, the boho spirit was glorifie…
Versatility spilling out of his pores, this week’s ‘Watch Out For’ features a young man who is driven, sharp, and innovative. Adnan Faraz is a photographer, painter, graphic designer, and animal lover all rolled into a bundle of cheer. Previously studying Computer Engineering, after a University-lev…
Best known for his innovative covers and lack of adhering to design rules, David Carson has long been revered in design circles as one to be hated (cause he is so good) and loved (cause he is so good). One of the pioneers of design and typography of the modern era, Californian surfer cum designer, …
Quite unlike contemporary art created to please the eye and meant to outlive the artist, we explored the Tibetan Buddhist art of Mandalas (mon-dah-lah). The concepts around this art far outweigh the material with which it is made – it’s not about the painting or the sand, it’s a lot more. A mandala …
The most thrilling photographs are the ones captured in a moment of spot, snap and click. All three in succession and in the right time span. Spontaneity has always been ‘in’. French photographer and painter, Henri Bresson was one of the pioneers of giving the moment more importance than…
When: October 26-31 2015 Where: Dubai Design District [Where else?] Keep an eye out for: City-wide mind-bending design installations Workshops bolstering your design knowledge A culturally-rich international exhibit from established and emerging artists The voraciously ambitious city of Dubai has an…
These paintings are pure joy. Flit away to an idyllic mental holiday for a few minutes with companions Kandinsky, Signac, Van Gogh, Monet and Nourah. When my eyes caught miniature photographs of the French impressionist Monet amidst the sea of art at Sikka Art Fair, I half-ran, half-walked to get a …
As the scorching heat of the sun locks us indoors for a few months, we thought ‘What better way to spend the summer than to nurture the artist within?’ You may have longed for a creative outlet [especially if you work in an ad agency – ironically], or you haven’t yet played w…
Etisalat, UAE’s first and leading telecommunications provider, is at the centre of attention on Twitter, after it launched a promotional campaign featuring global celebrities like Gerard Butler, Hrithik Roshan and Lea Salonga, called #EtisalatChallenge. The campaign was to welcome Etisalat use…
It’s the new rage. ‘Street Nights’ is back taking over a new street in Dubai. The Walk at JBR will be animated by unique street food, street art, and musical performances for the delight of visitors and street culture enthusiasts. The event will take place, from Thursday April 30 t…
Young creatives and entrepreneurs looking to be the next avant-garde fashion designer or award winning illustrator, join the London College Fashion (LCF) this summer as they bring to Dubai a carefully edited short course programme straight from one of the world’s fashion capitals. Taking place at VI…
ARTSPACE Gallery is geared up to showcase the latest collection of the modern, design-inspired works of renowned calligraphy artist, Mouneer al Shaarani, from 20th April to 16th May 2015, sponsored by Praesidium LLP. Mouneer Al- Shaarani is a celebrated calligrapher, designer and writer, living and …
Doesn’t that ring true? In the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe, this is one of their central beliefs. They strive to strengthen the importance of family and each member is considered vital, living in unity and helping one another. That sounds like every other family, but in the Shona tribe, being a member o…
What does John Newman have in common with us, you ask? We’ve had our hearts broken in love all the same. Headlining the launch #MeetD3 at Dubai Design District last night, John Newman performed amidst screaming fans, dancing and chanting along throughout his gig. With flashing white lights that sync…
Slowly yet surely, we see a swirling art craze take over this city, which was previously associated with skyscrapers and oil. In a market that is still finding its feet with regards to contemporary art, local artists have found quite a lot of success. Undeniably, Dubai is shifting its focus to becom…
It’s a cultural enthusiast’s dizziest daydream – a week dripping with paint, pictures, and patterns at different locations in the U.A.E. Very swiftly overtaking the art scene in major metros across the world, Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have become impressive hubs for cultural exchange in the last …
With speakers from Facebook and YouTube on the books among others, day three at Dubai Lynx was not one to be missed. It is interesting that I can summarize today’s topics in about three words: Content, Attention and Culture. Here are today’s biggest takeaways: [box]Favorite Quote of the …
