Dubai showcases its past, present and future at 4th London Design Biennale

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Updated 25 June 2023
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Dubai showcases its past, present and future at 4th London Design Biennale

  • The emirate’s pavilion includes a blend of content reflecting Dubai’s heritage and achievements, from the caravans of camels that once crossed massive deserts to the Emirates Mars Mission
  • It offers a glimpse into Dubai’s vision for the future through the emirate’s ‘Prototypes for Humanity’ initiative, which aim to push the limits of human achievement to a new level

LONDON: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has unveiled its “And Beyond” design installation, celebrating the city’s past, present and future, at the fourth London Design Biennale.

Dubai’s pavilion at the international event includes a blend of content that reflects the emirate’s heritage and achievements, from the caravans of camels that once crossed the deserts and helped establish cultural exchanges between the societies of the time, to the launch of the Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope probe in July 2020.

“It’s extremely important for us to showcase locally-based talent outside the UAE, so it’s part of a bigger ecosystem where we try to see the top talents then export those talents abroad,” Saeed Mubarak Kharbash Al-Marri, the CEO of arts and literature at Dubai Culture, told Arab News.

As the custodian of arts and culture in Dubai, the authority considers a wide range of strategies relating to this duty, in line with the requirements of government, and also works closely with the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, he added

The installation at the London Design Biennale, which opened on June 1 at arts center Somerset House and continues until June 25, was created by Emirati architect and designer Abdalla Almulla. Dubai Culture commissioned him to come up with an idea that aligned with the overall theme of this year’s event, “The Global Game: Remapping Collaborations.”

“I chose two forms of collaboration that happened within the city, one being the desert, using camels to navigate harsh environments, and then in sending the Hope probe to explore Mars,” Almulla said.

“The contrast of these two collaborations shows the vision that the UAE and Dubai have in terms of different landscapes, different explorations, yet which have many similarities.

“As you enter the pavilion, you start experiencing the sand dunes, walking among the caravans, and then ultimately you see a reflective sphere that represents Mars and you feel that you are navigating the landscape of Mars.”

 

 

The installation also showcases innovative prototypes that Dubai has adopted in a number of fields, including sustainability, society, the environment and space, as part of a global initiative launched by the emirate last year called “Prototypes for Humanity.”

These prototypes are intended to envision the future and push the limits of human achievement to a new level. Some of those on display in the pavilion include ideas for removing space debris from around the Earth, and robots capable of navigating the desert and planting seeds automatically.

Almulla, the founder of MULA Design Studio in Dubai, said his installation also highlights the pioneering work in Dubai in the fields of desert and space exploration.

“All these pioneering visions to collaborate and innovate are rooted in the city’s values, and they will be rooted in the people’s values, especially the youth, in terms of wanting to innovate and finding a platform to raise awareness,” he explained.

Khulood Khoory, director of the projects and events department at Dubai Culture, said one of the authority’s main pillars is to empower and nurture talent, and the event in London offers an opportunity not only to spread awareness of Emirati talent, but also to give the designer a chance to explore new avenues in the design sphere.

She said the authority had worked with several designers who submitted proposals for the event and Almulla was ultimately chosen by the jury as a result of his valuable experience in Dubai’s architecture and design sector, and a concept for the installation that was very much in line with the theme of remapping collaborations.

 

 

“It’s a great opportunity for us, also, to bring our values, our design and our heritage to an international audience, but also to highlight key innovative ideas that people are working on across the world, and Dubai always works as a great hub and a platform to incubate these ideas,” Khoory added.

“Dubai Culture is also looking into other forms of creativity, like emerging arts, whether that’s culinary arts (or) digital arts; what are the new forms of art that we should be developing, exploring and also promoting as a hub for creativity in the United Arab Emirates?” she added.


Disneyland to open in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi 

Updated 13 sec ago
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Disneyland to open in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi 

DUBAI: The UAE is set to host the Middle East’s first Disney theme park, with Disneyland Abu Dhabi confirmed for Yas Island.

An official opening date has yet to be revealed.

The project is a collaboration between Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based entertainment developer, and The Walt Disney Company.

(Supplied)

Once completed, it will be Disney’s seventh global destination, adding to its parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

The new resort will be developed and constructed by Miral, while Disney will handle creative design, attraction development and overall experience planning

Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for Disney to bring its renowned storytelling to yet another region of the world with a completely new theme park experience that will be a cultural, entertainment and technological marvel.” 

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said: “The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture, including a modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created.”


Deal signed to promote Saudi cultural heritage 

Updated 25 min 33 sec ago
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Deal signed to promote Saudi cultural heritage 

  • MoC signs agreement with Boutique Group
  • Agreement covers several cultural fields

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has signed a cooperation agreement with Boutique Group to promote the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

Deputy Minister of Culture for National Partnerships and Talent Development Noha Kattan signed the agreement with Boutique Group CEO Christophe Mares in Diriyah. 

Kattan emphasized that the partnership aligns with the ministry’s goals of preserving the nation’s heritage and culture, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

She added that the agreement honors the Kingdom’s rich history and contributes to building a future that values tradition and encourages global cultural creativity.

Mares expressed his company’s pleasure in the new partnership, which will focus on providing a unique and luxurious experience that reflects Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity.

He said the company will represent each region’s culture by incorporating its visual styles, sounds, and traditions into palace operations.

The agreement covers several cultural fields to showcase the Kingdom’s heritage in creative and contemporary ways, the SPA reported.

This will be achieved by integrating Saudi cuisine into the culinary experience, dressing hotel staff in traditional attire, and infusing palace designs with cultural symbols.


Jameela Jamil lands role in new film on Korea

Updated 07 May 2025
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Jameela Jamil lands role in new film on Korea

DUBAI: Actress, body positivity activist and presenter Jameela Jamil, known for her role in “The Good Place,” is set to star in “Pyongyang Home Video,” a new drama based on true events. 

She will star alongside “Squid Game” actor Won Ji-an. 

Won Ji-an will star in the movie. (Getty Images) 

The film follows North Korean sisters Nari (Ji-an) and Hana, who grow up secretly watching banned Hollywood movies. When their father’s black market VHS operation is exposed by a neighbor, the sisters are forced to flee the country. As they navigate their dangerous escape, they use scenes from their favorite films to deal with the mental toll the journey takes on them. Years later, Nari meets American talk show host Serena (Jamil), who vows to reunite the sisters on live television — only for the broadcast to take an unforeseen and revealing turn.

Hailing from Imagine Entertainment and South Korea’s Desert Bloom Pictures, the film will be directed by award-winning Korean filmmaker Yoon Sung-hyun, famous for his movie “Bleak Night.”

The screenplay comes from Liz Kerin, an American screenwriter, novelist and acclaimed playwright best known for the vampire series “Night’s Edge.”

 

 

Jamil shared the news on Instagram, writing: “She’s doing a proper movie!!!!”

The actress has a few productions in the works. 

Jamil is set to star in “Hysterical,” a feminist dramedy created by Olivia Lee and loosely based on real-life events involving controversial internet personality Andrew Tate. 

Jamil stars alongside Naomie Harris and Romesh Ranganathan.

Jamil has also lent her voice to the Pixar animated film, “Elio,” which is set for release on June 20. Jamil will be voicing the character of Ambassador Questa.

“Elio” follows an 11-year-old boy named Elio, who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth after being transported across the galaxy.

The movie also features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Remy Edgerly as his alien best friend Glordon, Academy Award winner Zoe Saldana as Elio’s Aunt Olga, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO.

Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, the film is produced by Mary Alice Drumm.


Review: Exhilarating South Korean anime ‘Solo Leveling’ packs a punch

Updated 53 min 16 sec ago
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Review: Exhilarating South Korean anime ‘Solo Leveling’ packs a punch

RIYADH: One of South Korea’s hottest anime series, “Solo Leveling” takes viewers on an electrifying adventure, blending themes of fantasy and action in a mystical world.

In its second season, main character Sung Jinwoo struggles to find his purpose as a low level hunter in a world with powerful warriors who travel through portals to fight magical beasts. One day, after a strenuous battle which wiped out his peers, Jinwoo was left in a dungeon.

In a plot twist, Jinwoo is spared and “reawakened” by the “System” with a new life, immersing him in a video game-like world where he becomes an iconic fighter.

Once a hunter awakens, their ranks are set and they have no possibility for leveling up, leaving them to hone their skills through training.

As Jinwoo’s strength increases and he gains fighting skills, his battles with monsters become more intense, intricate, and fast paced. The battle scenes have gained tremendous popularity and rightfully so — Jinwoo partakes in provoking conversations with his enemies, enraging them and defeating them with ease.

The battle scenes are epic and portrayed through colorful animations shown at every angle. Anime fans describe Jinwoo to be “aura farming,” a trending term describing the act of an individual intentionally doing something “cool” and always winning seamlessly. 

Anime series often start with a slow burn, but “Solo Leveling” starts off strong, packing a punch with its gripping fantasy storyline from the first episode.

 The only downside is that the fast-paced nature of the show introduces new characters and scenes without a buildup, potentially causing confusion for some viewers.

 Based on an anime series by author Chu-Gong, the on-screen adaptation is worth watching if you are looking for your next binge-worthy anime.

 


Review: The final season of ‘You’ is a damp squib

Updated 07 May 2025
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Review: The final season of ‘You’ is a damp squib

LONDON: Back when it debuted in 2018, “You” was a wonderfully trashy, pulpy thriller that invited audiences to snigger at the sheer silliness of its lead character’s likability. After all, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) might have been a charming, literature-loving bookstore manager – but he was also, we learned during that excellent first season, a serial killer with a tendency to stalk and emotionally manipulate his latest fixation before finally revealing his psychopathic tendencies.

Having a charismatic serial killer at the heart of a show is nothing new – just look at the irrepressible “Dexter” – but “You” set itself apart by not taking itself too seriously, acknowledging the ridiculousness of its central conceit and reveling in the silliness of making us ‘root’ for its really bad good guy. The last series, for example, saw Joe move to London and wind up getting blamed for the murder of a cadre of vacuous socialites, only to discover that he was, in fact, guilty of the crimes after having had a psychotic break – that’s the level of silliness we’re dealing with here. And, for the most part, it works. “You” remains a rip-roaring good time – albeit one with a problematic heartthrob as its protagonist.

A still from the series that is available on Netflix. (Supplied)

The fifth and final season sees Joe return to New York with new wife Kate, cleared of any previous crimes thanks to her influence and power – trying to be on his best behavior, but using his unique skillset to ‘protect’ his family from perceived threats when he can’t keep his murderous tendencies to himself. That setup makes the first half of the final season a decent enough watch – there’s plenty of commentary on high society and its hypocrisy, of the immunity granted to those with money and status, however awful they might be.

But “You” too quickly sets Joe back on a path we’ve seen him tread in the past – his head turned by new muse Bronte (Madeline Brewer), killing anyone who threatens his perception of their romantic connection. With the show now deviating from the Caroline Kepnes books that inspired the earlier seasons, there’s a rush to a finale that feels reductive – given how much we’ve invested in Joe’s character arc, the violent conclusion feels overblown and overly dramatic. Whether or not Joe gets what he deserves is open to debate – but we’ve been robbed of the finale we’ve earned for sticking with him.