Art Dubai is around the corner. The city’s premier art event often marks its busiest art season with several galleries rolling out new exhibitions to coincide with the fair.
From an exhibition dedicated to Palestinian photographer Majd Arandas to an open studio delving into the artistic process and pathos of Emirati artist Rami Farook, here are a few exhibitions and events to see across the UAE this weekend.
Vanishing Points: Imran Qureshi at Concrete
Hyderabad-born artist Imran Qureshi is best known for his idiosyncratic take on Persian miniature painting, while also drawing inspiration from Mughal and Sikh architectural traditions.
His exhibition at Concrete is curated by Nada Raza, director of Alserkal Arts Foundation and is a highlight of Alserkal Art Week. It surveys contemporary South Asian cityscapes through photography, video, painting, and a site-specific installation.
Monday to Sunday, 10am-7pm; April 13 to 20; Concrete, Dubai
A Memorial in Fragments at Gulf Photo Plus
This exhibition presents a major body of work by Majd Arandas. The Palestinian photographer was killed in November 2023 by an Israeli air strike near his home in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.
The works presented in A Memorial in Fragments show Arandas’s natural sense of composition and ability to capture a wide gamut of emotions. The photographs were recovered by the photographer's brother after his tragic death. The exhibition also explores the function of photography not just in the documentation of the present but in providing testimony for the future.
Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm; April 13 to August 13; Gulf Photo Plus, Dubai
Voices and Visions at Khawla Art and Culture
Voices and Visions presents a wide variety of work by Arab women artists. It includes the vibrant canvasses of Hend Rashid, the textured portraits of Fatma Lootah, acrylic works by Mariam Abbas and mixed media paintings by Fatima Al-Nimr that incorporate motifs from UAE heritage.
Monday to Thursday, 9am-5pm; Friday, 8am – 3pm; until May 6; Khawla Art and Culture, Abu Dhabi
Open Studio: Now Is Not The Time For Pretty Pictures at Satellite
Rami Farook has often found creativity in ugliness. In this open studio session, which comes as part of Alserkal Art Week, the Emirati artist will be presenting a series of works, some of which he began as far back as 2009. The works in the open studio reflect upon subjects such as decay, suffering and inhumanity. Instead of shying away from the grotesque, Farook instead seeks to coax from these topics an emotional experience, even if it comes at the expense of visual appeal.
Sunday, 9am- 6pm; April 13; Satellite, Dubai
John Clang’s Reading by an Artist at Al Mureijah Square
Singaporean artist John Clang is returning to Sharjah to offer another round of his performance series Reading by an Artist. Clang sits with individuals and predicts life events based on several divination systems. These include geomancy, which comes from zi wei dou shu, a traditional Chinese fortunetelling system. The readings, often lasting an hour, result in a unique chart or portrait for each of the sitters.
The performances are meant to blur the lines of art and lived experience. Prior registration is required through the Sharjah Art Foundation website.
Registration required; April 10 to 23; Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)
Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldof v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)
Sunday
Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)
Jawan
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final
Table:
1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10
2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8
3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6
4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4
5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
