Two exhibitions by the National Pavilion UAE that were presented at the Venice Biennale have finally made their way to the UAE. That, along with other new offerings by local galleries, means that there’s quite a bit to catch up on in the local arts scene.
From poetic reflections of the country’s natural landscapes to the Dubai debut of Nigerian-British artist Sola Olulode, here are four exhibitions to see this week.
Abdullah Al Saadi: Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia at 421 Arts Campus
Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia was the National Pavilion UAE exhibition at last year’s Venice Biennale. The show brought several of Abdullah Al Saadi’s works, some of which were created specifically for the biennial.
An expanded version of the exhibition has now been brought to the UAE. Running at 421 Arts Campus until May 4, the exhibition is curated by Tarek Abou El Fetouh and features ten works by Al Saadi.
Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia delves into Al Saadi’s process and works with theatrical charm. Visitors trace a path through the exhibition as performers unpack Al Saadi's works from metal chests that allude to the artist’s studio space in Khor Fakkan.
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-8pm; until May 4; 421 Arts Campus, Abu Dhabi
Between Sunrise and Sunset at Maraya Art Centre
A seminal work by an important Emirati artist, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim’s Between Sunrise and Sunset was commissioned by the National Pavilion UAE and featured at the 2022 Venice Biennale.
The work is now on display in the UAE for the first time in an exhibition at the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah, which has been organised with the support of Lawrie Shabibi and the National Pavilion UAE. The exhibition features three paintings by Ibrahim, but the titular installation is the centrepiece, taking the entirety of the second-floor gallery space.
The installation features 128 sculptural forms, each unique in shape, size and colour. The sculptures are arranged in a gradient, ranging from more vivid hues to the dulled and monochrome palettes that allude to the night. For Ibrahim, the work is meant to reflect the diversity of the UAE, both environmentally and culturally, while also evoking the metaphorical breadth of night and day.
Saturday to Thursday, 10am-7pm; Friday, 4pm-7pm; until August 1; Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah
I Jump – Will I Stick the Landing? at Aisha Alabbar Gallery
Shama Al Hamed is marking her first solo exhibition, only a few years after earning her Bachelor of Visual Art degree from Zayed University in 2022.
The exhibition features a vibrant mix of sculptures, installations and paintings that show surprising range for a young artist. The works reflect upon Al Hamed’s journey as an artist, using the act of jumping as a metaphor for creative experimentation, as well as movement between different memories and emotions.
Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; until April 5; Aisha Alabbar Gallery, Dubai
I’ve Got to Know You Now We May Never Meet Again at Lawrie Shabibi
Olulode’s debut exhibition in Dubai ventures towards the sea in an exploration of myth and memory. The Nigerian-British artist’s paintings often features references to the Yoruba water spirit, Yemaya, while exploring concepts of femininity and the power of nature.
In the exhibited works, Olulode draws from her archive of photographs taken during trips to Caribbean, Mallorca and Senegal. However, instead of realistic recreations of the photographs in paint, the images are reimagined with a dreamlike nature and with bold colours. The paintings, as a result, become places where memories and legends intertwine, with water featured as a freeing element.
Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; until April 9; Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai
Romeo & Juliet at Theatre by QE2
A new adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet will debut in Dubai on Friday, inspired by the music of the legendary rock band Queen. Featuring a five-piece band playing the British group's songs throughout the performance, the adaptation by Cross Bronx Studio's Lydia DeSouza punctuates the sword fights and star-crossed romance by a number of the UAE's theatre veterans with guitar solos and vocal gymnastics in the style of Freddie Mercury.
Friday to Sunday, Theatre by QE2, Dubai
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
