Tashkeel, an art and design space in Dubai, has announced the list of artists selected for its Critical Practice Programme – a professional development initiative launched in 2014.
This year, Tashkeel has chosen four visual artists from a pool for 49 candidates, namely, Mays Albaik, Hamdan Buti Al Shamsi, Hind Mezaina and Nora Zeid.
The work of Mays Albaik is rooted in literary writing, as the artist draws from oral traditions in her Palestinian culture. Forthe programme, Albaik plans to delve deeper into language, specifically how it can influence thought or vice versa.
Self-taught photographer Hamdan Buti Al Shamsi, who was part of the Salama Emerging Artist Fellowship, will use the programme to develop new techniques and concepts for his practice, which mostly deals with materials such as collage, digital media and printmaking.
In her practice, Hind Mezaina investigates ideas of heritage and the media representation of Dubai and the UAE. Building a “visual archaeology” over the years, the artist will continue to dissect the notion of archiving and documentation throughout the programme.
Illustrator and animator Nora Zeid will look at behavioural psychology, specifically how it can be used to form new perspectives on home and nationality. The Egyptian artist often collaborates with practitioners from various fields, including architects and musicians, to produce more interdisciplinary projects.
As part of the programme, the artists will spend a year working with two mentors, which will help them prepare for a group exhibition to be presented this year and next. In addition, they will be granted studio access to Tashkeel’s spaces, training, critique and production support for their individual projects.
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Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
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Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
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Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
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Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.