The prestigious French Art Festival (FAF) will debut at the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi, from 12-15th March 2008. The event will be held under the patronage of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of presidential affairs, president of Dubai Women Establishment.

FAF will exhibit in Dubai from 2-5th March 2008 before it moves to Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre from 12 to 15 March. This newly launched initiative will become an annual event and is designed to promote highly sought after French contemporary art within the UAE. Thirty renowned French artists were specially handpicked to best reflect the diversity of contemporary French art. Work displayed will range from paintings and sculptures, to design artwork, tapestries and photographs.
The same artists will exhibit 350 pieces in Abu Dhabi and a different set of 350 works in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, Christine Barres, the famed French painter, will be holding a workshop for those who are interested in widening their artistic horizons, and local guest artists Mohamed Kanoo, Wasel Safwan and Mohammed Mandi will participate in the exhibition. The celebrated exhibiting artists will include such painters as Christine Barres, Robert DiCredico, Pascal Magis, Brigitte Martinet and the sculptor Jean Louis Toutain.
Emirates News Agency, WAM

One of the largest and rarest Islamic Art exhibitions in the world was inaugurated on Tuesday at Emirates Palace. "The staging of this magnificent exhibition sets the tone for Abu Dhabi’s cultural ambitions as defined by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces," said Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

With over 500 pieces of Islamic artwork, dating back to over 1,000 years, the ’Arts of Islam: Treasures of the Khalili Collection’ exhibition is one the largest and rarest exhibitions in the world.
"The exhibition illustrates the breadth of artistic achievement in the Islamic world and also reflects its geographic diversity," said Professor Nasser D. Khalili, Iranian scholar, collector and benefactor who assembled the collection under the auspices of the Khalili Family Trust.
"It showcases exquisite treasures from a broad spectrum of media from as far east as China, India and Iran, across the Middle East to North Africa and Spain. "The works on display have been specifically chosen to illustrate the development of Islam’s rich artistic heritage over a period of some 1,400 years. The subjects covered include religion, science, poetry, literature, calligraphy, painting and architecture, in addition to the decorative arts.
"The religious section explores art made to honour the majesty of God and his word, the Holy Quran, and to meet the requirements of the religion. The secular section presents the arts made to serve the needs of the sovereign and ruling classes." According to Khalili, who says he has spent over 40 years collecting Islamic art work, the items on display are from around 50 Muslim countries.
Gulf News

[#A star-studded week of red carpet glamour, inspiring conferences and not forgetting great film wrapped up on Sunday night at the Dubai International Film Festival closing ceremony.#]

[#The seventh annual event has seen A-listers including Colin Firth, Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Beau Garrett, Kelly Brook, Emma Caulfield, Carey Mulligan and Peter Weir grace the red carpet.

The festival, held at the Madinat Arena, confirmed its credentials as the leading festival of the Arab world, Africa and Asia, with a line-up of 157 films from 57 countries, and didn’t disappoint. With 41 world premieres, 13 international premieres, 58 Middle East premieres and 32 Gulf premieres, the options were endless.

This year the Muhr Awards – with categories for Arab, Emirati, Asian and African cinema – handed out a total prize fund of $575,000.

Introduced in 2006 the Muhr Awards has so far honoured 65 filmmakers, producers and actors as well as facilitated in raising the profile of the winners at an international level.

The in-competition Muhr Awards scooped a record 848 entries this year, with the Muhr Arab segment drawing 62 feature films, 228 short films, and 113 documentary films. The Muhr AsiaAfrica competition, dedicated for filmmakers from Asia and Africa, similarly received 445 entries, encompassing 136 feature films, 199 short films, and 110 documentary films.

The Festival’s new Muhr Emirati competition, introduced to further strengthen and recognise rising Emirati talent, received 25 feature films, short films, and documentaries.#]

[# For its inauguration, Mathaf presents three exhibitions featuring historic works of Arab modernism and many newly commissioned works, which will be on view at two sites in Doha, Qatar#].

[#
Mathaf opens its new building with Sajjil: A Century of Modern Art, the first in an ongoing series of exhibitions that will survey its unparalleled permanent collection, on view from December 30, 2010 (closing date to be announced). Sajjil, an Arabic word meaning the art of recording, features more than 240 paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works made by more than 100 artists, representing pivotal moments in the development of Arab modernism throughout the 20th century. Arranged thematically across twelve galleries, the historical exhibition makes its own contribution to rethinking the position of Arab artists toward modernism and within the modernist movement. The exhibition is organized by guest curator and consultant Dr. Nada Shabout, Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Cultural Studies Institute at the University of North Texas; Wassan Al-Khudhairi; and Deena Chalabi, Mathaf’s Head of Strategy.

Mathaf will present the additional two inaugural exhibitions Interventions and Told / Untold / Retold at the Qatar Museum Authority’s new exhibition space located on the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art.

Interventions: a dialogue between the modern and the contemporary (December 30, 2010 – May 28, 2011) honors the lives and careers of five major figures in Arab modernism who remain influential today. Dia Azzawi, Farid Belkahia, Ahmed Nawar, Ibrahim el-Salahi and Hassan Sharif have each been commissioned by Mathaf to create a new work, which will be shown in the context of existing works by the artists from the Museum’s permanent collection. The exhibition is curated by Dr. Nada Shabout.

The most ambitious museum exhibition of contemporary art in the Arab world to date, Told / Untold / Retold: 23 stories of journeys through time and space (December 30, 2010 – May 28, 2011) features new works commissioned by Mathaf from 23 contemporary artists with roots in the Arab world. The exhibition is a collection of 23 stories each vividly expressed in new works of painting, sculpture, photography, video, multimedia installations and interactive digital art. The featured artists are Adel Abidin, Sadik Kwaish Alfraji, Buthayna Ali, Ahmed Alsoudani, Ghada Amer, Kader Attia, Lara Baladi, Wafaa Bilal, Abdelkader Benchamma, Mounir Fatmi, Lamia Joreige, Amal Kenawy, Jeffar Khaldi, Hassan Khan, Youssef Nabil, Walid Raad, Khalil Rabah, Younès Rahmoun, Steve Sabella, Marwan Sahmarani, Zineb Sedira, Khaled Takreti, and Akram Zaatari. The exhibition is curated by Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath, co-founders of Art Reoriented, a curatorial platform focusing on contemporary art from the Middle East.#]
www.mathaf.org.qa

[#Abu Dhabi Festival 2011 inaugurates its world-class programme of performances and concerts featuring a plethora of critically acclaimed international artists. On January 4th at the Emirates Palace the Festival will welcome the UNESCO Artists for Peace Maestro Valery Gergiev and the World Orchestra for Peace, for the first time in the Arab world. Embodying the Festival’s global reputation as a symphony of global cultures, the January 4th regional premier will herald the beginning of the eighth edition of the UAE capital’s foremost celebration of artistic excellence. Under the stewardship and direction of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Abu Dhabi Festival reflects the Emirate’s vision of a global cultural capital of the 21st century. Tickets will go on sale from today for ‘The World Orchestra for Peace’, a magnificent concert that will include musicians from 30 countries and more than 62 international orchestras.#]

[#
The 2011 theme of the Abu Dhabi Festival is “Harmony for Humanity�, and celebrates the capability of culture, the arts and music to bring people together in mutual appreciation and encourage a more harmonious way of living. Hosting the performance at the start of the New Year reinforces the spirit of the gift of music. Appropriately, the late Founder of the World Orchestra for Peace, Sir Georg Solti was a passionate believer in the “unique strength of music as an ambassador for peace� and it is in this spirit that the Abu Dhabi Festival has invited the Orchestra to perform.

“We are thrilled to welcome the celebrated UNESCO Artists for Peace Maestro Valery Gergiev and the World Orchestra for Peace to Abu Dhabi, for their debut appearance in the Arab world,� said Founder & Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, Her Excellency Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo.

“This unparalleled event marks a most opportune beginning to the new year, and also to the Abu Dhabi Festival, which in 2011 will celebrate the theme “Harmony for Humanity� in recognition of the powerful ability of music, arts and culture to transcend difference and bring people together.�

“The World Orchestra for Peace and the Abu Dhabi Festival share a common belief in the unifying spirit of music and arts, which so elegantly brings together human beings of different nationalities, cultures and traditions.

I sincerely hope that through this remarkable event, we may share with the people of the UAE the beauty of music in seeking greater cultural understanding.� She added.

Comprised of the world’s finest orchestral players drawn from more than 62 international orchestras and representing 30 countries, the orchestra was recently designated UNESCO Artist for Peace, the first major orchestra to receive the honour. Formed in 1995 by the late Sir Georg Solti, the Orchestra comes together only on special occasions to promote peace or celebrate reconstruction, the essence of its special mission.

“My late husband, Sir Georg Solti, created this unique orchestra in 1995 as a gesture of world harmony in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. My husband, having lived through two world wars, believed that it was the duty of everyone to look forward and learn from the past to create a better future“, Said, Lady Valerie Solti, patron of the World Orchestra for Peace.

“This will be the first time the orchestra has performed in an Arab country and we are most grateful for the invitation to come to Abu Dhabi and have this further opportunity of spreading our mission of peace.� She added.

The Orchestra’s world-acclaimed conductor Valery Gergiev will lead the orchestra through a programme of popular classics including Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Prolofiev’s Symphony No 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 during the performance at the Emirates Palace.

Tickets for the event will go on sale to the general public from today. Prices start from AED 195 for Pearl tickets, up to AED 495 for Diamond tickets. Reflecting the Abu Dhabi Festival’s commitment to education and young people, students will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased online on www.timeouttickets.com as of today, and from the Emirates Palace ticketing desk as of December 20th.

About ADMAF:

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision. Established in 1996 by Her Excellency Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, ADMAF Founder, the Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, ADMAF Patron and President.

ADMAF’s broad programme of initiatives and events - including the Abu Dhabi Festival and the International Comic Strip & Cartoon Art Festival among many others - brings together audiences of all ages and nationalities. Through its educational and community programs, it nurtures the creative talent of the UAE and beyond, in partnership with leading national and international institutions.

Visit: www.admaf.org#]

[#Highlighting a commitment to support the arts, the Corp Executive Apartments – Al Barsha is to showcase a two-week exhibition starting March 3 featuring the works of local artist Jeff Scofield.#]

[#Organised with the support of the Dubai International Art Centre and held under the patronage of ASGC (Al Shafar General Contracting), the show will be launched with a special VIP and media preview on the evening of March 2.

American born Jeff Scofield has extensive experience in a number of artistic fields ranging from modern architecture through to Chinese brush painting which he studied under Oriental masters in Paris and Dubai.

After obtaining a master of architecture degree at Columbia University in New York, he studied art at the Beaux Arts in Paris, and, more recently, has taken up sculpture at the Dubai International Art Centre.
While working as an architect in Dubai, focused on modern buildings with an emphasis on sustainability, Scofield also enjoys creating more personal abstract art, combining vivid acrylic colours and mixed media with materials recycled from construction sites, including plywood, jute, fabric, wires, grilles and other metal objects.

Works range from riveting large outdoor installations to small intimate paintings, with a focus on unusual formats including narrow perpendicular pieces reminiscent of Chinese scroll paintings, which will form a centrepiece to the exhibition.
According to Aamir Pervez, general manager of Corp Executive Apartments – Al Barsha, the show will enable Jeff Scofield’s work to reach a wide audience in Dubai, from guests at the property through to residents and visitors.
“As part of our corporate philosophy, we aim to engage with the local community and events of this kind serve to both provide a platform to showcase a local artist’s work as well as a novel attraction within the hotel. Mr Scofield’s technical refinement is absolutely amazing and would be definitely very interesting for our guests.â€�
Located next to the Mall of the Emirates, Corp Executive Apartments – Al Barsha has 143 units, some with balconies, and all featuring a separate lounge, kitchen, guest toilet, bathrooms with walk-in showers and televisions in both living room and bedroom.
Facilities include free parking, access to the pool, gym and aerobics suite, international and a la carte dining at Mood,24-hour snacks and drinks at the Caffeine lobby lounge and poolside snacks at the Snug, plus 24 hour room service.

Further information from info.cpab@corp-hotels.com or www.corp-albarsha.com, telephone 00971 4 3164040.#]

Leading French authors, artists, business figures and scholars
to participate in Middle East’s most trusted book fair 15 – 20 March

[#
France has nurtured for a long time a passion for culture in all its dimensions – from literature and art to food, fashion and film. France’s authors and artists will be taking centre stage again as the Cultural Focus of this year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The six-day event will run from 15 – 20 March at the city’s National Exhibition Centre.

The Fair’s organisers have attracted some of France’s leading cultural figures, who through intellectual debate, educational activities and public events will showcase what French culture represents today across the publishing industry, art and life.

“Over the past few years France has been steadily increasing its cultural presence in the UAE, not least with the building of Le Louvre Abu Dhabi,� says Monika Krauss, General Manager of Kitab. “We’re proud to welcome a distinguished line-up of French authors, illustrators and representatives to the Fair who can showcase the exciting cultural projects which are bringing the UAE and France closer together.�

Highlights include:

Wednesday 16, March

• Discussion: “Strom…The Thrills of a Museum�. Speakers: Emmanuelle and Benoît de Saint-Chamas – authors and Knights in the French of the French Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’Order des Arts et des Lettres) – will discuss their mystery novel set in Le Louvre, Paris – a place filled with magic and wonder. Benoit assists the President of Le Louvre with international affairs and Emmanuelle is a conference lecturer at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris.
11: 45 – 12:30 hours

• Discussion: “Le Château de Versailles – A Palace and a Book�. Speakers: Pierre Arizzoli-Cleméntel – author of Versailles and ex-Director General of the Château de Versailles, France - and his publisher François de Waresquiel – President of Cittadelles & Mazenod, will discuss this magnificent large-format book on one of the world’s most famous royal palaces. Host: Philip Jodidio, Editor-In-Chief of the most widely distributed French art journal Connaissance des Arts from 1980 to 2002. He is also a Knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’Order des Arts et des Lettres)18:00 – 19:00 hours

• Discussion: “Le Louvre Abu Dhabi: A Vision for the Future.� What was the reasoning behind the creation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi? Prestigious local and international guests will explore its scientific programmes, architecture and publishing plans. Host: Philip Jodidio, Editor-In-Chief of the most widely distributed French art journal Connaissance des Arts from 1980 to 2002. He is also a Knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’Order des Arts et des Lettres).18:00 – 19:00 hours

• Meet Patrick Chamoiseau – the award-winning novelist, playwright and essayist. The Martinique born author, whose novel Texaco won the 1992 Prix Goncourt and was chosen as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, often has been inspired to write about the socio-political and literary status of French Creole and the affirmation of Martinican cultural identity. Similar issues are addressed in Chamoiseau’s autobiographical trilogy Une enfance créole as well as in Chronique des sept misères (Chronicle of Seven Miseries, 1986) and Solibo magnifique (Magnificent Solibo, 1988).
17:00 – 18:00 hours

• Meet the Illustrator: Nicole Lambert - the highly celebrated French artist and publisher who, in the 1980s, produced the long-running comic strip series Les Triplés for the magazine Madame Figaro.
11:15 – 12:00 hours

• Book-signing and Conversation with: Kénizé Mourad – the French journalist and author of the international best selling novel, De la part de la princesse morte (Regards from the Dead Princess). Born in Paris in 1940, Mourad is the daughter of an Indian rajah, and the great granddaughter of the Ottoman Sultan Mourad VI. The novel De la part de la princesse morte, charting her family’s history. has been translated into more than 30 languages.
13:15 – 14:15 hours

Saturday 19 March

• Book-signing and Conversation with: Professor Breyten Breytenbach – a French citizen since 1982 and the finest living poet of the Afrikaans language. The distinguished painter and writer of more than 30 books of poetry, was originally from South Africa. A committed opponent of the apartheid, he established the resistance group ‘Okhela’ and from 1975-82 was held political prisoner in South Africa. His most renowned non-fiction work is his memoir of his captivity – The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist (1983). Breytenbach’s most recent poetry collection is Lady One.
19:30 – 20:30 hours

Sunday 20 March

• Presentation: “The Choice of Fiction�. Speaker: Vincent Delecroix, the acclaimed French author, who won the 2008 Grand Prix de Littérature de l’Académie Français for his work Tombeau d’Achille.
18:15 – 19:15 hours.#]