William Kentridge’s first major solo exhibition in the region, A Shadow of a Shadow, is running at Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation
William Kentridge’s first major solo exhibition in the region, A Shadow of a Shadow, is running at Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation
William Kentridge’s first major solo exhibition in the region, A Shadow of a Shadow, is running at Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation
William Kentridge’s first major solo exhibition in the region, A Shadow of a Shadow, is running at Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation

Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide, from William Kentridge to Perform Sharjah


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

From an immersive art installation that draws inspiration from the landmarks and traditions of the UAE to the return of Sharjah Art Foundation’s performance programme, here are a few things to look out for in the local cultural scene this weekend.

A Shadow of a Shadow: Until December 8 at Bait Al Serkal Arts Square, Sharjah

William Kentridge's exhibition is replete with objects and artworks that were used on stage. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation
William Kentridge's exhibition is replete with objects and artworks that were used on stage. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation

William Kentridge’s first major solo exhibition in the region, A Shadow of a Shadow, highlights 17 performances by the South African artist that date back to the late 1980s. The performances include interpretations of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute and Alfred Jarry’s play Ubu Roi, as well as original productions such as The Head and the Load (2018), which revolves around the experiences of Africans during the First World War.

The exhibition is replete with objects and artworks that were used on stage as well as during the development stage, including drawings, puppets, props, costumes and installations.

A Shadow of a Shadow draws its title from a play by the 13th-century playwright and puppeteer Muhammad Ibn Daniyal. The exhibition is curated by Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, director of Sharjah Art Foundation, and Tarek Abou El Fetouh, senior curator and director of the Performance Department.

Saturday to Thursday, 9am-9pm; Friday, 4pm-9pm; until December 8; Bait Al Serkal at Sharjah Art Foundation

Garden Life of the UAE: Running indefinitely at Arte Museum Dubai

Garden Life of the UAE surrounds visitors in a landscape that feels both familiar and dreamy. Photo: Arte Museum Dubai
Garden Life of the UAE surrounds visitors in a landscape that feels both familiar and dreamy. Photo: Arte Museum Dubai

Arte Museum Dubai has incorporated several new exhibitions into its immersive media space, all in keeping with the theme of eternal nature. They include landscapes of ever-blooming rose fields, glaciers, starry beaches as well as a mystical forest.

However, one particularly stands out. Garden Life of the UAE surrounds visitors in a landscape that feels at once familiar and dreamy. The family-friendly exhibition features displays such as life in the desert under a stellar night sky. Another includes structures like Burj Khalifa and Museum of the Future looming from behind hills blossoming with flowers and palms.

Monday to Thursday, 10am-11pm; Friday to Sunday, 10am-midnight; Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai

Mute: Sunday at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy

Sulayman Al Bassam’s Mute examines the brief silence following the Beirut Port explosion in 2020. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation
Sulayman Al Bassam’s Mute examines the brief silence following the Beirut Port explosion in 2020. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation

The first production of Perform Sharjah’s new season takes place this weekend. Mute by Kuwaiti director and playwright Sulayman Al Bassam examines the brief moment of silence that followed the Beirut Port explosion in 2020.

Produced with actress Hala Omran and the Beirut electro-acoustic duo Two or the Dragon, the performance blends music and singing with prose and audiovisual elements. Mute won the best production prize at the Carthage Theatre Festival, as well as prizes at the Cairo International Experimental Theatre Festival.

Sunday, 8.30pm, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy

Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival: From Friday to Sunday at NYU Abu Dhabi

Sarvnik Kaur’s Against the Tide (2023) will be the opening feature film of the festival. Photo: Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival
Sarvnik Kaur’s Against the Tide (2023) will be the opening feature film of the festival. Photo: Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival

Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival is taking place under the theme All Living Beings. The three-day event will screen classics like Kes (1969) and Donkey in a Brahmin Village (1977), as well as animation features such as The Red Turtle (2016) and Kawauso (2023). Regional films like Tree of Hell (2024) and The Beekeeper's Journey (2024) will also be shown.

While films are at the core of Al Sidr, panel discussions and activities are also highlights of the programme, and aim to hone an environmentally conscientious attitude. An immersive kayak experience is also taking place from 3pm on Friday, offering participants the chance to explore the mangrove forest around Al Reem Island.

Friday to Sunday, various times; Arts Centre at NYUAD

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Barings Bank

 Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal. 

Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson. 

Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.  

Naga
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

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if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

RESULT

Valencia 3

Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'

Ferran Torres 67'

Atlanta 4

Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'

23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Understand What Black Is

The Last Poets

(Studio Rockers)

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

Company%20profile
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Updated: October 25, 2024, 3:03 AM