Abu Dhabi Arts - Part Une

Ok. So here's my long looooooooong - a due post on the Abu Dhabi Arts Fair back in - gulp - November 2010. Yes. Almost one year ago (stick in 'cover the face' emoticon here please).

Pakistani Simeen Farhat's 3D calligraphy "Twisted Melody" based on the poetry of Rumi at the Xerxes Arts Gallery booth. Heard it through the grapevine that La Fontaine (Bahrain) will be hosting an exhibition for the artist in November 2011. Well worth the wait..

In the far back are some of my favourite mixed-media prints of Arab scholars and personalities from the 70s and this generation - "Icons of the 4 Corners", including Queen Alia, Shaikha Moza AlMisned, Um Kulthom, Edward Said (personal favourite), Naguib Mahfouz, Fariouz, Omar Sharif, all by Iranian artist Afsoon.

A one-on-one personal dig-in to the strange, surprisingly quite pleasant and down to earth, pop genius brain of Jeff Koons.

Just another typical day at your arts fair VIP lounge. A VW DJ booth spinnin the latest mixing it up for the VIPS gettin everybody down & dirrrty (oh oh oh I did not just say that). (Insert more pretentious and "hip-sounding" remarks here)

Khatt Foundation, Khalid Mezaina, Formafantasma, Unfold and Estudio Campana in discussion, moderated by Dezeen Editor Marcus Fairs.

With a lovely conclusion to the exhibition, had the privilege of listening to the panel discussion 'With Passion They Collect', including HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, journalist and Meem Gallery art owner, Dr. Farhad Farjam, talk about their passion for collecting art, moderated by Farbod Dowlatshahi.

Some call it a collectors' dream, others call it self-promotion, and yet others call it hoarding. I say, support the region, build a cause and they will come.

...And alternatively, if you gots the money, bring in the honeys (in this case, um, art, Middle Eastern art).

One day Lumz. One day..

(P.S. Thanks munzii for taking some of the pics and making the trip worth the while..)

P.P.S To justify my superficiality in this current post, my next post will discuss the power, significance and science behind colour and visual stimulation.. *snap*

Abdulnasser Gharem - Flora & Fauna

Here's one of my favourite Saudi artists, Abdulnasser Gharem. First time I saw his pieces, I just thought he was some bored Saudi dude with nothing better to do but randomly graffiti some random Jeddah streets here and there or cross the ever-grudging path of emerging Gulf artists meets contemporary art getting some credit during the Arab Art Renaissance with a little calligraphy and modern Arabic font here and there. Phew..

Then I saw the below performance piece (oh yes, the ill-hated lame performance pieces where all weirdo artists get away with making a dance move and swishing to the odd soundtrack), and shut the eff up.

Here he is, making the statement - walking the streets covered in a plastic bag (yes, a plastic bag) gripping a special type of tree. That tree was selected as the tree to cover the area of Jeddah in 2007 by the Saudi Agriculture Ministry at the point of implementing the 'greenify Saudi' strategy. With a little research, Gharem discovered that these trees which were aimed to improve the agriculture of the city actually caused more damage than good (the roots would grow underneath the ground basically killing off any plant life in its way.. Oh the irony).

Flora & Fauna

What makes this piece and artist more fascinating is that Gharem is a former (or current, not sure) Lieutenant Colonel at the Saudi Arabian Army - (Ee, mal iljaish). Army and artist? Grrrr..

Saw a preview of this wide wood and copper dome symbolizing the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem by Gharem, to be shown in Contemporary Istanbul 2011 - Sold for a record of $842500 (AED 3093660) at the 'Edge of Arabia' Christie's auction, a record for any Gulf artist.

Mykonos huts

Nothing more to say except to scroll down and tune in with a little bit of what else, Fleet Foxes' Mykonos.

My daily morning view. Writer's block does not exist here.

Nammos - here I come. Again and again and again.

By far my favourite pic of the trip - Is it a shell? Is it a cocoon? Nope.

Little hutsies on the hillside, little hutsies made of ticky-tacky (literally).

Forgive the photo quality of the iPhone. Sorry Apple - there is no perfection. Low and behold though, the wonders and pleasures of food over indulgence (fyi, there's no such thing). Lobster risotto on a daily basis. With balsamic vinegar.

My overly tanned oily feet, which unfortunately do not necessarily reflect the status of the rest of my body. (Referring to the tanned bit, not oily. For further info on why my feet get super tanned and not the rest of my body, please ask fellow friends. Because I don't know).

And of course, I couldn't leave without a visit to an art gallery or two. Local Greek artists showcasing their contemporary art skills.

That chair on the bottom has wheelchair facilities, and a table. Can you say, unnecessary?

A Jackson Pollock/Miro look-alike on the left. A Greek like golden armour with wings on top. A Renaissance-like painting of what else, a fat lady.

Sunrise in Mykonos.

(Finger fart)

Kittieee!! At the airport of course.

Goodbye and good riddance, for now.

Beirut Express

This post was previously published on Sketchbook magazine's blog on 17 May 2010. For the original post, please click here.

Memories flood back at my old campus’ empty classroom at the American University of Beirut.

The Charles W. Halston Students Centre at AUB, designed as a smoke-free area in the campus, is practically unheard of in all of Beirut - much like banning smoking in a bar in Paris.

One of the best baklawa shops down the corniche area of ROUCHE, Beirut.

Military presence around all corners of Lebanon is second nature.

DE PRAGUE is one of the fairly new bohemian haunts in Hamra frequented by AUB students and faculty, hosting independent film nights and gigs.

Lebanon has by far the largest proportion of Christians of any Arab country with approximately 40% Christians and 59% Muslims.

Summer weddings happen by the dozen everyday - while a Christian wedding was about to begin, two steps down, a Muslim bride was just walking out of her own.

SAIFI VILLAGE, an artsy commercial residential area in central Beirut featuring modern French (Lebanon previously being a French colony) and Spanish architecture, hosts the boutiques of product designer NADA DEBS and other local designers and artists’ galleries.

The juxtaposition of the old and new that is quintessentially Beirut can best be seen in its architecture. Several old buildings in Beirut, including these in the popular pubbing and lounging area of Gemayzeh, are still covered in bullet holes from the war.

Taking parts and making fake duplicates is a popular ‘pastime’ in the outskirts of Beirut. You can get yourself a good deal on certain car parts..

Practically anything and everything in Beirut can be delivered to your doorstep. Here’s a place that delivers Sheesha or ‘Argileh’, including a change of coal, for less than $5.00.

One of the most famous sandwich shops in the American University of Beirut’s neighborhood of Hamra, ABOU AFIF SANDWICHES, has become a favourite stop for all students and alumni. Call it serendipity but I managed to bump into the older brother of architect ZAHA HADID (Hadid is a fellow AUB alumni) while waiting for my order.