A life-size aluminium shark weighing 700 kilograms was installed yesterday in the fountain at the entrance The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The art piece, titled Requin by French artist Mauro Corda, is on loan from Opera Gallery in DIFC's Gate Village and it joins the collection of 20 sculptures in the hotel. The shark is suspended behind a cage of ball-bearing chains that swing with movement and wind, mimicking the movement of waves. It joins at least four other similar fish scultures by Corda that are dotted around various locations in the hotel.
Requin's installation began at 10am yesterday morning when the fish arrived on the back of a truck parked in the hotel's delivery bay. Then, a team of 15 labourers placed a sturdy base in the centre of the fountain before returning to the truck to slowly lift the fish down and walk it over to the fountain. Under the guidance of representatives from the gallery and the hotel, the men deftly moved the sculpture into the fountain and onto the base.
Once it was in a central position the men then unwrapped it, freeing the chains and the fish and finally, it was polished to shine under the midday sun.
The hotel’s manager Lothar Quarz takes a very active interest in the art installed in the hotel and whilst he is under no illusion that the hotel is an art destination on a par with a gallery, he hopes that it will place the hotel on the map as somewhere to see interesting pieces.
“I don’t think people come to our hotel to see the art but when they do arrive and they see all of our pieces, it creates an added interest for the guests and it also creates memories. The art works we have here are very special to us and I’m very happy to welcome the shark.”
* For more info on the hotel click here
* To find out more about Opera Gallery, click here
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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