UAE Online Art Archive Is Launched Alongside A Nation Wide Competition Showcasing The UAE’s Talent

The art community of the UAE is in for a lavish helping of the Emirates’ most comprehensive online database as the Office for the UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale launches the UAE Art Archive, www.uaeartarchive.org. The UAE Art Archive has been developed specifically to offer a platform for people interested in the art scene across the UAE to have a better understanding of art and the cultural infrastructure of the country and to showcase artists’ work.

Its launch is complemented by an image design contest that will enable anyone who is resident in the UAE to submit their design for the homepage banner of the art archive, which can be found at www.uaeartarchive.org. Supported by Emirates Airline, who is providing two economy class tickets to Venice, the competition encourages everyone with artistic flair to submit their work.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Lamees Hamdan, Commissioner of the UAE Pavilion, said:
“The UAE Art Archive provides a unique platform, for the first time, in the contemporary art community where we can all come together and share this vehicle across all seven Emirates. This is a collective space for artists practicing in the UAE to show their work, whereby profiles can be uploaded with a biography, reference to online websites and gallery affiliation can be made and exhibition histories and artwork can be created. The archive is published online and is open to everyone all over the world.

This is also an opportunity for UAE residents to participate in an exclusive competition and to be a part of an online community that is really working from a grass roots level for the art and cultural scene across the UAE. This competition, I believe, is one of the most effective paths in which we can engage people’s interests and encourage them to support our own pool of creative contemporary talent.”

Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations – Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates Airline said:
"Emirates is delighted to be a part of this exciting initiative. I hope that the people of the UAE can take inspiration from the majestic beauty of this great country when developing their submissions. The UAE Pavilion has worked hard to encourage UAE residents to embrace and express their creativity and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for many years to come."

Commencing from July 23nd, the competition will be judged by the Ambassadors to the UAE Pavilion: Sultan Al Qassemi, Alanood Al Warshaw, Jack Persekian, Paula Askari, Hannan Sayed, Nadine Kanso, Rashid Shabib, Ahmed Shabib, Sunny Rahbar and Maliha Tabari. The contest will close on September 2nd and an announcement of the winner will be made on September 16th at a Suhoor during Ramadan to reveal who will be awarded two economy flight tickets to Venice with a three-day stay at a four-star hotel in Venice and two tickets to visit the 53rd Venice Biennale, courtesy of Emirates Airline.

“As an Ambassador to the UAE Pavilion and one of the judges of this competition, I am enthusiastic to see the first glimpse of how the UAE’s art scene has evolved and what our local creative minds have in store. This contest is an innovative way to examine the developments which are currently taking place across the UAE’s art agenda,” Sultan Al Qassemi commented.

The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing international art exhibition in Venice, Italy, the 2009 Venice Biennale, of which the UAE has sent its official contribution to play an integral part. Breaking ground as the first Arabian Gulf state ever to participate since the event began in 1895, the UAE Pavilion was established in recognition of the nation’s emergence as a cultural hub worthy of attracting global attention and was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Universally recognised as the world’s most prestigious contemporary art event, the Venice Biennale currently presents its 53rd International Art Exhibition, which began on June 7 and will be staged through November 22, 2009.

The Soccer Circus Is Coming To Town

Mirdif City Centre could be the next sporting centre of excellence when the Beckhams, Ronaldos, and Figos of the future hone their skills at the world’s first fully interactive football attraction, Soccer Circus.

Majid Al Futtaim Leisure will be bringing the hi-tech, soccer training attraction to the super regional Mirdif City Centre, which is due to open in the first quarter of 2010. Soccer Circus sets a series of challenges using real footballs in simulated stadium environments to test the skills and talent of the players.

The drills have all been developed from professional training grounds and are designed to improve players’ technical ability and inspire youngsters to play for real. The pioneering Soccer Circus has all the thrill of football action in a safe and fun environment – and without the often scorching outdoor sun.

Craig Hart, Vice President, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure said, “Soccer Circus is a unique leisure concept which we are very proud to bring to the Middle East for the first time. Through this one-of-a-kind attraction, we aim to offer our visitors the chance to learn the tricks of this game and experience the real soccer atmosphere.”

The attraction is spread over an area of 2,000 square meters and comprises the Training Academy and PowerPlay, which allows visitors to develop their football skills, compete with each other or simply have fun.

Training Academy presents a series of football challenges, each one concentrating on different football skills. The games are played individually by each person in a team of up to four players.

PowerPlay is a highly realistic virtual game, played in a stadium-like atmosphere, giving every member of the team the chance to experience what it’s like to play like a pro. The players receive a pre-match briefing from their coach before taking to the field, using real footballs in a fully automated and exciting game. The final whistle is followed by a full action replay and commentary from the coach on how well the pro performed.

Soccer Circus, which will soon be home to many soccer crazy fans, will appeal to a wide range of audience both male and female, from 7 years to 70.

Musical Entertainment Is Highlight Of Dubai Summer Surprises At The Dubai Mall

As a key sponsor of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and leisure destination, will showcase a wide array of entertainment events, many centred around musical entertainment. Complementing the entertainment will be mall-wide promotions and bargain deals appealing to residents and tourists alike.

One of the big highlights of the The Dubai Mall’s DSS activities is The Hello Kitty Jungle Party which is to be held daily (excluding Tuesdays) from July 2 to 22 at the Star Atrium. Live theatrical musical performances by a cast of six Hello Kitty characters and one live singer will entertain children. The ever-popular Hello Kitty merchandise will be available at The Dubai Mall throughout the duration of these shows.

Mr Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said: ’’The Dubai Mall, as the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, is privileged to be a Key Sponsor of DSS 2009, the city’s summer shopping extravaganza. The Dubai Summer Surprises activities follows our own successful in-mall campaign, the Festival@The Dubai Mall, giving customers an extended stretch of bargain deals and in-mall entertainment. DSS is a key event in Dubai’s retail calendar and the entertainment showcase at The Dubai Mall will appeal to children and adults alike.”

Highlights of the most popular West End shows will be performed daily at the Star Atrium for two weeks only from 29 July. Popular favourites including Phantom of the Opera, We Will Rock You, Cats, Bollywood shows and more, combined into one spectacular performance, showcased by six professional dancers and four singers. The energetic and vibrant piece showcases over 100 costumes with a rendition of selected pieces from some of the world’s most exhilarating musical shows.

Other highlights of the mall’s DSS activities include Dubai Voices, a group of local children and students that will perform 23 to 25 July at the Fountain Oasis. The musical theme continues throughout DSS at The Dubai Mall with Africa’s leading Children’s Choir featuring children combining a mix of traditional African songs to modern leading songs. The choir will appear on July 29 to 30 from 6pm to 9pm also at the Fountain Oasis. All donations received on the day will go towards developing the local schools in the children’s own communities.

Also during DSS, from the start of July visitors can get a glimpse of the soon to open SEGA Republic, the 76,000 square foot indoor theme park coming to The Dubai Mall this summer. Featuring 17 games for kids and kids at heart, the SEGA Republic preview center gives just a small taste of the fun to come. In addition to 250 or so of the latest amusement games, look forward to a heart-stopping indoor rollercoaster, thrilling rides, and adrenaline-pumping motion simulators for all the family at the largest SEGA Republic theme park in the Middle East.

Visitors to The Dubai Mall can also enjoy the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, the Olympic sized Dubai Ice Rink and over 900 shopping options now open – several of them having opened their Middle East flagship stores in the mall including the recent edition of anchor department store Galeries Lafayette. The mall’s entertainment precinct featuring Reel Cinemas, SEGA Republic and KidZania® will open shortly.