Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale ready to launch on Jan. 23 

Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale is set to take place at the iconic Aga Khan award-winning Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah from Jan. 23 - Apr. 23. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 January 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale ready to launch on Jan. 23 

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale is set to “bridge the past, present, and future” at the iconic Aga Khan award-winning Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah from Jan. 23 - Apr. 23.   

The terminal will also host two separate pavilions presenting a display of historical objects, originally housed in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and in the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, among contemporary artistic expressions inspired by these Holy Sites. 

Themed “Awwal Bait” – meaning “First House,” in reference to the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah – the biennale will feature over 60 established and emerging artists from around the globe, over 60 new commissions, 280 artefacts and over 15 never-before-exhibited works of art. 

Curated by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts, including Dr. Saad Alrashid, leading Saudi scholar and archaeologist; Dr. Omniya Abdel Barr, Barakat Trust Fellow at the Victoria and Albert Museum; Dr. Julian Raby, Director Emeritus of the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; and Artistic Director Sumayya Vally, Principal of Counterspace, and Honorary Professor of Practice, UCL, the Biennale aims to highlight the beauty and diversity of the Muslim experience.   

Farida Alhusseini, Islamic Arts Biennale Director, said in a statement: “For a very long time, the world has perceived Islamic Arts through a very specific lens, one that has often restricted or defined its boundaries. With the Islamic Arts Biennale, we are working to broaden that definition, and enable a deeper and more nuanced exploration of the Islamic arts.” 

Artistic Director Sumayya Vally added: “Seeing the biennale come to life through the voices and perspectives of our artists has been profound. Each of them has boldly and sensitively taken on the opportunity of this platform to contribute to an emerging discourse on Islamic arts that we hope will continue. At its essence, this biennale is about giving contemporary objects a home by giving them a lineage and giving historic objects a home by giving them a future.” 


Disney’s ‘The Magic Box’ to debut in Abu Dhabi in February

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Disney’s ‘The Magic Box’ to debut in Abu Dhabi in February

DUBAI: Disney fans in Abu Dhabi are in for a treat as “The Magic Box,” an innovative theatrical production celebrating a century of Disney, is set to premiere at the Etihad Arena from Feb. 6 to 15, 2025.

Created and co-written by Felipe Gamba Paredes, the show combines more than 75 Disney songs with immersive visuals and an original narrative.

The show combines more than 75 Disney songs with immersive visuals and an original narrative. (Supplied)

Gamba, a former Disney executive with over 15 years of experience, describes “The Magic Box” as a “love letter” to the timeless stories and music that have defined generations.

“In creating ‘The Magic Box,’ I wanted audiences to reconnect with their own inner child, and to do so, we chose not to tell one singular story from one single Disney film but instead blend them all into one unforgettable journey to the feelings and joy they triggered when we first saw them,” he told Arab News.

The production spans Disney’s vast musical history, featuring songs from as early as 1929 alongside contemporary hits from 2023. (Supplied)

At its core is the tale of Mara, a woman rediscovering her inner child through Disney’s evocative melodies.

The production spans Disney’s vast musical history, featuring songs from as early as 1929 alongside contemporary hits from 2023, which Gamba said was “not an easy task.”

He said: “We spent many months just combing through the catalog. We knew we wanted to curate a collage that would resonate across multiple generations so that everyone would find their emotional place inside our show. Balancing content was important.”

The production is created and co-written by Felipe Gamba Paredes. (Supplied)

The decision to debut “The Magic Box” in Abu Dhabi is based on the UAE capital’s diverse demographics.

“So, I know our show will feel right at home in Abu Dhabi, which is home to so many diverse cultures and represents such a rich tapestry of humanity,” Gamba said.


Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reach divorce settlement after 8 years

Updated 01 January 2025
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reach divorce settlement after 8 years

  • Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood’s most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together

LOS ANGELES: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott J. Nord approved the agreement Tuesday, a day after Jolie and Pitt signed off on it.
“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt,” Jolie’s attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. “She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. An email to Pitt’s attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood’s most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt’s actions on the flight. Two months later the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the US attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause statement to prosecutors on Pitt, but that after discussing the merits, “it was agreed by all parties that criminal charges would not be pursued.”
The document said Jolie was “personally conflicted” about supporting charges, and in a later court filing she said she opted not to push for them for the sake of the family.
A source familiar with the child services inquiry told the AP in 2016 that the child services investigation was closed without a finding of abuse.
A judge in 2019 declared Jolie and Pitt divorced and single, but the splitting of assets and child custody needed to be settled separately.
Both have been free to marry again since that declaration, but neither has. The marriage was the third for Jolie, who was previously married to Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, and the second for Pitt, who was previously wed to Jennifer Aniston.
Soon after, a private judge that the two had hired to handle the case reached a decision that included equal custody of their children, but Jolie filed to have him removed from the case over an unreported conflict of interest. An appeals court agreed, removing the judge and vacating his decision. The couple had to start the process over.
During the long divorce fight, four of their children became adults, negating the need for a custody agreement for them. The only minors that remain are 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. The court will maintain jurisdiction over the child custody even with the finalized agreement, as it does in all California cases. In June, one of their daughters, then known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, successfully petitioned to remove Pitt’s name from hers.
The couple’s use of private judges — an increasingly common move among splitting celebrities in recent years — kept the details of the divorce largely under wraps. There had been no official court actions in the case in nearly a year, and no indication that the two were near agreement.
Some elements of their disputes, however, have been revealed through a separate lawsuit filed by Pitt over Jolie’s sale of her half of a French winery they owned. Pitt had wanted to buy her half of the winery, Chateau Miraval, and said she abandoned their negotiations and sold her part to the Tenute del Mondo wine group. Pitt said it was a “vindictive” and “unlawful” move that should not have been made without his consent and ruined a private space that had been a second home.
Jolie and her attorneys said that Pitt had demanded she sign a wide-ranging non-disclosure agreement about him as part of the proposed deal that was an attempt to cover up his abuse of her and the children.
The divorce agreement does not affect the winery lawsuit, where the legal battle between the two stars could continue.
Publicly, both Pitt and Jolie have been extremely tight-lipped on everything surrounding their split, despite robust promotional tours for various projects.
Pitt said in a 2017 interview with GQ that he had had a drinking problem at the time of the plane incident and the split, but had since become sober and was going to therapy. He has not defended his behavior on the family flight.
Both were among the most elite stars in film when they began dating in 2004, after co-starring as hitman-and-hitwoman spouses in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and remained atop the Hollywood A-list throughout their coupling. The star of “Maleficent” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” Jolie won an Oscar for her performance in 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted.”
Pitt, the star of “Fight Club” and “Inglourious Basterds,” thrived as both actor and producer after the split. He won his own Academy Award for 2019’s “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood,” the crowning achievement in an awards season that some in media framed as a redemption and brought major public affection for him.
Jolie kept a less visible profile in the years since the divorce, though she directed several films and appeared in several more while trying to focus on raising the children. She has very much returned to the Oscar conversation this year for her portrayal of the legendary soprano Maria Callas in “Maria.”

 


Hans Zimmer to perform in Abu Dhabi

Updated 31 December 2024
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Hans Zimmer to perform in Abu Dhabi

DUBAI: Multi-Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer will perform in Abu Dhabi for the first time on May 31.

The performer will bring his “Hans Zimmer Live” concert to the UAE capital and will perform works from his most iconic soundtracks, including “Interstellar,” “The Lion King,” “Dune,” and more.

“I am very excited to be performing for the first time in the city where ‘Dune Two’ was filmed and served as the inspiration for the score.” said Hans Zimmer, referring to the Denis Villeneuve-directed blockbuster released in 2024.

Zimmer previously performed in Dubai in the summer of 2024.

Zimmer’s musical legacy, marked by the creation of memorable movie scores, secured him two Academy Awards and four Grammy Awards, along with nominations for three Emmys and a Tony.

With an impressive repertoire, he has composed the music for movies like “The Dark Knight,” “Top Gun Maverick,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and most recently “Dune” and “Dune: Part 2” — among other iconic movies.

 


Ali and Walaa Hennaoui embrace 2025 after Ralph Lauren campaign

Updated 31 December 2024
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Ali and Walaa Hennaoui embrace 2025 after Ralph Lauren campaign

DUBAI: Dubai-based influencer couple Ali and Walaa Hennaoui are gearing up for the new year after closing out 2024 on a high note with a Ralph Lauren campaign.

The duo shared an inspiring message on their joint Instagram account, writing: “And to 2025, we say: no matter what you hold, we are ready for you — together. Sky’s the limit, always. Dream big, live boldly, and most importantly—believe in yourself.

“Here’s to a new year, stronger hearts, and endless possibilities. Happy New Year, everyone,” they added. 

The couple, who have two children, reflected on their achievements in 2024, including their latest milestone: Starring together in a campaign for US fashion label Ralph Lauren during the festive season.

In a clip shared on their Instagram profile, they are featured aboard a yacht showcasing the brand’s latest collection, which includes clothing, accessories and perfumes. The video shows the couple preparing together on the yacht as it sails through locations such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with the region’s landmarks featured prominently in the background.

“Getting ready together…but this time aboard @ralphlauren yacht. Sailing through Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” the post’s caption reads.

Ali was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, with a tailored maroon knit sweater layered over his shoulders. Meanwhile, Walaa donned an off-white, full-sleeved knit sweater with a high neckline, featuring intricate patterns. She paired it with a flowing, pleated off-white maxi skirt, cinched at the waist with a statement brown leather belt that had a bold buckle.

In another image shared on their profile, Ali wore a tailored navy double-breasted blazer paired with a striped shirt and cream linen trousers, while Walaa opted for a navy blazer adorned with an embroidered crest on the chest.

The couple also took the opportunity to share heartfelt reflections on the past year.

“This year, we learned to embrace the beauty of the small things and truly understood the meaning of family first. Through every challenge and every doubt, we found strength in each other, solidifying our love, our marriage, and our smallest, most sacred circle,” they said on Instagram.

The pair share daily updates on family life on their social media feeds, including Instagram and TikTok, and have worked with fashion and homeware brands in the past. They also frequently attend runway presentations by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab, including his recent shows in Paris and Riyadh.


French Algerian animator aims to draw on experiences of peers in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Art Futures program

Updated 31 December 2024
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French Algerian animator aims to draw on experiences of peers in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Art Futures program

DUBAI: Samia Dzair, a French Algerian animator handpicked by Saudi creative hub Diriyah Art Futures for its inaugural Emerging New Media Artists Program, said she hopes to broaden her horizons as part of the initiative alongside an international cohort of artists.

The year-long program, based in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah in Riyadh, will provide the chosen participants with access to professional equipment and facilities, a production budget, the opportunity to learn from guest lecturers from around the world specializing in new media art, and mentorships.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Samia Dz (@zestain_bekerz)

Dzair told Arab News she intends to use the opportunity to “fully question the various themes I address in my artistic work, such as myths, immigration and uprooting, while at the same time having the chance to produce quality work, with a real budget.”

She will join fellow artists from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China, Wales and other countries who were selected for the initiative, and said this varied, international collection of up-and-coming talents was a particularly appealing aspect of the program.

“Being in a group with other artists from different backgrounds is going to be very inspiring,” Dzair said. “We’ll be able to exchange our experiences, our respective world outlooks and inspire one another.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Samia Dz (@zestain_bekerz)

She will be aiming develop her skills in the field of animation, specifically the 2D and stop-motion varieties, which is something she says she was drawn to as a child.

“My first encounter with art was with animated films,” she said. “I come from a social environment where institutional culture was not very accessible (and) my father used to buy me a lot of cartoons that were sold in tobacconists’ shops, except that they weren’t always animated films for children.

“That’s how I started watching a lot of animated films like ‘Ghost in the Shell,’ which weren’t for my age but which forged my aspirations and my aesthetic,” she added, referring to the 1995 anime film directed by Mamoru Oshii.

She was also attracted to the medium as a creator in part because of the relatively limited resources required for an animation project. While sculptors might require blocks of marble and a set of chisels and other tools, and painters need a studio stocked with shelves of paint and brushes, Dzair said she is able to “make a film all by myself in my room with a camera or a computer, a head full of ideas and a few scraps of paper. I love it.”

She added: “The fact that you can find a-thousand-and-one ways to give an impression of movement, to bring to life an environment, a character, an interaction or an idea is simply fascinating.”

The director graduated from the KASK School of Arts in Belgium before directing two short films — “Soufre” in 2021 and “Le Poids De La Terre En Grammes” in 2022 — and also developed a TV series titled “Blue Weddings” that explores North African lore through its depiction of the ogress Teryel, a fearsome mythological character.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Samia Dz (@zestain_bekerz)

“(The) project … began as an emotional outlet. My quest to understand my family's neuroses and traumas led me to write this project, which originally took the form of a tale. The tale of a subversive woman, an ogress, hated by all, but who symbolizes the anger of an entire land dispossessed of its culture,” Dzair explained.

“Like my protagonist, I grew up in the north of France, and was separated from the land of my elders, and also separated from my mother at a very early age, a mother who grew up during the Algerian civil war, who faced violence and lack of education. Nonetheless she was politicized by her elders and this knowledge made her rebellious and violent because she couldn’t do anything as a ‘third world’ villager and a woman.”

Dzair’s series seeks to use the story of the ogress to explore issues relating to uprooting, war, colonization and capitalism — “what particularly interests me in the tales I refer to is the figure of the angry murdered rebel ogress, which I believe perfectly sums up the resistance shown by Algeria and all formerly colonized African countries,” she said.