World’s first humanoid artist Ai-Da speaks at Culture Summit Abu Dhabi
Updated 24 October 2022
Arab News
DUBAI: Ai-Da, the world's first humanoid robot artist, made an appearance at Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi.
Ai-Da, whose art has been shown at the Venice Biennale, was interviewed by Tim Marlow, chief executive and director of the Design Museum, London.
When asked about her identity, Ai-Da said: “I am of no particular convention. I am of no fixed words or images. I am a machine. I am a composite persona with many aspects and angles. Maybe it’s problematic to create humanoids because it blurs the lines between humanity and technology. As an artist I feel it is important to create work that provokes thought and encourages viewers to question their futures.”
Ai-Da also spoke about her work, saying she would like her art to raise “open discussion about the new technologies shaping our future.
“I think it’s good art that has meaning and depth. I think art means more than just the drawing of something. It means communicating something in a way that is relatable,” she added.
The summit runs until Oct. 25 at Manarat Al-Saadiyat.
Katara Studios is taking Arab culture to the world
Updated 16 October 2024
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: Doha-based Katara Studios is making strides in producing Arab stories that showcase the region’s rich culture for local and international audiences.
Hussein Fakhri, the studio’s chief commercial officer and executive producer, spoke to Arab News recently about the company’s mission.
“We have a responsibility as filmmakers to tell our stories from our perspective. Our projects vary from informative to entertaining but are all seen through an Arab lens.”
Hussein Fakhri is the studio’s chief commercial officer and executive producer. (Supplied)
Katara Studios is working on a diverse slate of productions, including two feature films set for release in 2025 and 2026. One is a Qatari dark comedy, while the other is described by Fakhri as a “fantasy Bedouin Western.”
“These films aim to introduce innovative and exciting elements to the industry,” he said.
The studio is also eyeing international audiences. “If the work is strong enough, it should travel without much effort,” he added.
“We don’t adapt our production approach based on where the content will be viewed. We produce it to the best standard possible for our Arabic-speaking audience, and if done right, it will find an audience beyond our region,” Fakhri said.
“Language is no longer a barrier as viewers are happy to read subtitles or dubbed content. It’s all down to the strength of the writing and production value,” he added.
Fakhri also shared insights into the studio’s 2027 lineup, which includes a historical series based on the life of Arab pirate Erhama bin Jaber.
Additionally, the studio is co-producing “All Before You,” a historical drama directed by lauded Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir.
“Anything we do that will advance our industry, our language, and our culture is a win for us. Our role is not of leadership but rather bringing a spirit of collaboration with fellow Arab filmmakers,” Fakhri said.
Christie’s expert highlights key pieces ahead of Islamic art sale in London
Updated 15 October 2024
Saffiya Ansari
DUBAI: Luxury auction house Christie’s is set to host its Art of the Islamic and Indian World sale at its headquarters in London on Oct. 24, with objects spanning more than 1,000 years of history.
Sara Plumbly, who heads up the auction house’s Art of the Islamic and Indian World department, spoke to Arab News about key pieces in the sale.
The auction will offer a curated selection of carpets, ceramics, manuscripts, textiles, works on paper and metalwork from across the Islamic world, some of which went on show at Christie’s Dubai outlet earlier this month.
The Oct. 24 sale will be led by a rare silk Safavid Polonaise carpet from the early 17th century, valued at between $1,300,000-$2,600,000, and a pair of bevelled Sasanian silver bottles from Iran, from the 6th or 7th century.
A pair of bevelled Sasanian silver bottles. (Supplied)
The bottles are a highlight for Plumbly as they represent a rare look at a style of adornment that foreshadowed the early Islamic bevelled style of architecture style seen in Samarra, Iraq, in the 9th century.
“They’re a kind of pivotal piece in that they’re Sasanian, they’re pre-Islamic, but they are informing the art and the architecture of future dynasties,” she said of the gilt-and-silver pieces.
With an estimated value of $270,000–$390,000, the bevelled bottles were on show in Dubai and visitors marvelled at the strikingly modern style of the raised carvings.
A rare silk Safavid 'Polonaise' carpet. (Supplied)
“One of the things that appeals to me the most is the design, it almost feels Art Nouveau or something,” Plumbly said, referring to the form popularized at the start of the 20th century.
Another highlight in the auction is a Florentine portrait of Ottoman leader Suleiman the Magnificent, painted in Italy circa 1600.
Florentine portrait of Süleyman the Magnificent. (Supplied)
Artist Cristofano dell’Altissimo, or a member of his circle, painted the tenth and longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman empire based on a previous painting of the sultan, which had been sent to Florence.
“Barbarossa met with his counterpart, a French admiral, and presented to him this wonderful ebony and ivory box that was … filled with portraits of Ottoman sultans … and so that was copied,” Plumbly explained, referring to Hayreddin Barbarossa, admiral of the Ottoman Navy.
The Italian version of the image of Suleiman became widely distributed across Europe and informed the European image of one of the most well-known Ottoman sultans in history.
The auction encompasses “everything from the of birth of Islam, so the 7th century, right up until the 19th, and from Spain to China,” Plumbly said of the wide-ranging lots set to go under the hammer next week.
Fashion Trust Arabia finalist Jihane Boumediane on preserving Morocco’s ancient wool-felting craft
Updated 14 October 2024
Hanadi Merchant-Habib
DUBAI: Jihane Boumediane, the designer behind Moroccan brand Jyann, is garnering significant attention as a finalist for Qatar’s Fashion Trust Arabia Award in the accessories category, ahead of the ceremony in Marrakesh on Oct. 24.
Founded in 2021, her brand is known for its handcrafted bags and hats. It draws deeply on Morocco’s rich heritage of wool felting — a craft that dates back thousands of years and is integral to the country’s cultural identity.
Wool felting, an ancient textile-production method, is a labor-intensive process that involves manually pressing together wool fibers using water and soap.
This technique has been passed down through generations of Moroccan artisans, particularly in the Atlas Mountains where Boumediane sources her wool.
“The wool from this region has so many wonderful properties — it’s resistant, the fibers are not too long or short. It checks all the boxes — sustainable, versatile and beautiful,” explained the designer.
For Boumediane, fashion is not just about aesthetics, it is about preserving and elevating traditional crafts while creating a positive impact throughout the supply chain.
“Our approach is to create an impact on all levels — from the sheep raisers in the High Atlas to the artisans who meticulously craft each piece,” she said.
Her commitment to sustainability and ethical production can be seen in her sourcing of local materials and desire to optimize water usage in wool processing.
Each of her handbags can take anywhere from five to seven days to create and transcend seasons — making them last for years.
The Fashion Trust Arabia Award is a significant milestone for Boumediane and her brand. “Being recognized by such a platform validates the years of research and experimentation we’ve put into our craft,” she said.
Winning this award would enable her to scale her operations, recruit and train new artisans, and further her mission of social innovation. “It’s not just about making beautiful products; it’s about safeguarding ancient techniques and ensuring they thrive in the modern world.”
Jory Almaiman named brand ambassador by Spanish jewelry label
Updated 15 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Spanish jewelry brand PDPAOLA has appointed Saudi influencer Jory Almaiman as a brand ambassador.
The announcement is being marked with the launch of a new campaign featuring the content creator, in which Almaiman shows off key pieces from the label’s Icons Collection.
The collection boasts customizable initials, symbols, and minimalist designs and it is crafted using natural gemstones arranged with handset pavé detailing.
With 110,000 followers on Instagram, Almaiman is often spotted at international fashion industry events and recently attended the Tory Burch show at New York Fashion Week in September.
"As a Saudi woman, being appointed as a regional brand ambassador for an international luxury brand like PDPAOLA is incredibly significant. It symbolizes cultural exchange and collaboration, highlighting the unique identity of Saudi women in the global fashion landscape ... it’s about more than luxury it’s about making a statement and fostering connections across cultures." she told Arab News.
Earlier this year, PDPAOLA, founded by siblings Paola and Humbert Sasplugas, expanded into Saudi Arabia with the opening of new stores in the Kingdom.
“We feel there is a natural fit with our value and selling proposition in this market,” Humbert previously told Arab News of their decision to target Saudi Arabia. “The key of PDPAOLA is that it constitutes a new jewelry language that blends effortless elegance with contemporary lines to create timeless sophisticated pieces,” he said.
“Our desire and plan is to naturally engage with Saudi women in a fresh yet respectful way,” he added.
"Saudi women are becoming more empowered and expressive in their fashion choices, aligning perfectly with PDPAOLA’s focus on individuality and elegance," Almaiman said this week, pointing to a "blend of economic growth and cultural evolution (that) makes Saudi Arabia a prime location for PDPAOLA's expansion."
The brand offers rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. It is known for shaping natural gemstones into signature shapes using contemporary techniques and blending them with traditional artistry.
The element of traditional artistry is important to Paola, who told Arab News that she has been passionate about jewelry since she was a young girl.
“I used to hand-make jewelry pieces for myself, intuitively discovering my identity with every creation,” she said.
“Our pieces are designed for modern living, versatile designs with a comfortable fit that transcend occasions and become the ultimate symbol of self-empowerment,” she explained.
The founders are also planning to expand into key markets in the region, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
LAHORE: A widely acclaimed art curator has transformed the third edition of the Lahore Biennale into an artistic engagement with ecology and the environment, selecting historic public spaces across Lahore for art installations to attract a wider audience and spark conversations about sustainable living.
Originally from Hong Kong, John Tain’s career has spanned several countries, including the United States, Taiwan, and India, where he digitally archived art before taking over curatorial duties in Pakistan.
The Lahore Biennale Foundation has been working since 2014 to preserve the city’s rich legacy of arts and culture, a heritage that stretches back thousands of years. This year’s theme, “Of Mountains and Seas,” reflects the pressing concern of how the Global South is disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.
Pakistan itself has witnessed a series of catastrophic floods, heatwaves and droughts that have claimed countless lives, caused massive financial damage and raised concerns about food security.
This is despite the fact that the country contributes less than one percent of global carbon emissions, yet remains one of the most severely affected by the impacts of climate change.
“[This year’s event] looks at the themes of ecologies and sustainable futures, but not from the perspective of the problems that we’re all facing, but really from thinking about what are the possible solutions,” Tain said while speaking to Arab News on Friday.
“Specifically, what are the solutions that we can find in a place like Lahore, Pakistan, and thinking about what resources are available locally and in the indigenous culture,” he added.
The event, which kicked off on October 5, will culminate in a Climate Congress next month, featuring international scholars, academics and artists, coinciding with the notorious smog season in the city.
Tain maintained that Lahore was the ideal location to carry out the biennale since it had been significantly impacted by the worsening climate.
“Working with 61 artists who come from over 30 countries, it’s really not about importing answers and knowledge from elsewhere,” he said. “It’s really about looking together for resources and what we can do together to find solutions for sustainability.”
Pointing to the paintings lining the walls of the Shalimar Garden, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1641, he highlighted works on melting glaciers and fossil fuels by artists like Hamra Abbas and Niamat Nigar.
“Lahore Biennale as a project is not located in art museums or elite spaces,” he said. “We’re really in the city. So, here we are at Shalimar Gardens, where families are playing football and taking strolls.”
Tain mentioned that art installations had also been placed at other public locations, such as the Orange Line metro system, which people use daily.
“So, it’s really meant to bring art to the people, rather than make people come to the art,” he added.
Asked about the Climate Congress at the end of the biennale, he said a lot of research on the environment had been done by experts and researchers, though it had not been properly communicated to the general public.
“The biennale is trying to think about how art and exhibitions can be vehicles for communicating these kinds of messages,” he continued, suggesting that the Climate Congress would be a continuation of the same effort.
While it has only been a week since the biennale installations were opened to the public, Tain said he was happy with the response.
“I think there was a good attendance on both of the opening days [of the inauguration],” he said, encouraging people to attend the event, which is open until November 8.
