From Arabic calligraphy to tributes to the UAE’s Mission to Mars, the Murals exhibition at Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain reflects on the country’s fast-changing growth.
Presented by the centre to mark its 10-year anniversary, it features 12 artists from the UAE commissioned to explore the country's heritage and history, as well as its embrace of modernity, through large-scale works.
The second exhibition on view is titled Common Ground, which takes a broader look at Gulf history, specifically the links between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Seven Emirati artists – Ahmad Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, Ghanem Younes, Khalid Al Tamimi, Maryam Al Suwaidi, Roudha Al Shamsi, Saoud Al Dhaheri, and Sarah Aladayleh – consider the social, cultural and economic commonalities of the two countries, while highlighting the nuances as well.
The range of the works includes installations of textiles, clay, video and mixed media. Common Ground was previously shown at Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation in early 2020, where it was conceived as a response to Saudi prince Sultan bin Fahad’s The Red Palace exhibition.
“For years, we have offered a family-friendly venue where arts and culture can be discovered and practiced by the Abu Dhabi community and visitors to Al Ain,” Ahmed Mohammed Barzaiq, head of Al Qattara Arts Centre, said.
"With these extraordinary works by a variety of talented local artists, we honour the thriving cultural scene of the emirate, and the past, present and future of our great country. The artworks are a must-see, and I invite the public to visit us and enjoy this visual celebration."
Since it was established in 2011, Al Qattara Arts Centre has put together public programming across visual art, film and craft, showcasing artists living and working in the UAE. Apart from its galleries, the centre also has dedicated areas for archaeological and heritage-focused shows and studios for art classes and workshops.
Earlier this year, the centre held a film programme that screened Emirati and Israeli short films. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which manages the centre, and Image Nation and Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film & Television School, a total of eight short films were screened as part of the project, including Ostora by Faisal Al Shiryani, Feeding 500 by Rafed Al Harethi, Portrait of my Family by Omri Dekel-Kadosh and Blessed by Prague Benbenisty.
For Ramadan, the centre operates on weekdays from 9am to 4pm and will be closed on Friday and Saturday. Entrance to Al Qattara Arts Centre is free.
More information is at abudhabiculture.ae
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
New schools in Dubai
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Stage result
1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 3:29.09
2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto-Soudal
3. Rudy Barbier (FRA) Israel Start-Up Nation
4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Luka Mezgec (SLO) Mitchelton-Scott
6. Alberto Dainese (ITA) Sunweb
7. Jakub Mareczko (ITA) CCC
8. Max Walscheid (GER) NTT
9. José Rojas (ESP) Movistar
10. Andrea Vendrame (ITA) Ag2r La Mondiale, all at same time
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
