Artist Talk - The S*uce Bench Project

The Dubai Bench by Hind Mezaina

A short while ago, I wrote about The Dubai Benches project initiated by S*uce and I'm glad to say the project is alive and kicking and there are some great looking benches around town.

You are invited to attend a talk with some of the artists (including yours truly) who will share their experiences, explain the concepts behind their designs and to answer any questions. I know it's short notice, but if you are in the neighbourhood, please drop by.

Even details
Date and time: 6th April at 7pm
Venue: The Pavilion Downtown Dubai (location map)
Free entry

My bench, the one added above is called The Dubai bench. Here are some more benches, by the artists that will be at the talk. Hope to see you at the talk.

Bench by Khalid Shafar.

In my interpretation, I strived to achieve the equation of ‘3 equals 9’.  I wanted this 3-seater bench to share its moments with more than 3, with a simple move or flip.

This bench can welcome 9 people at a time and is multifunctional. You can lay down to read and take a nap if placed in a park or you can table dine if placed in a mall or  on the beach. A touch of Gold  was added to reflect Dubai ‘The City of Gold’ and to enhance the aesthetic look of the bench with a metallic finish and contemporary twist.

Bench by Fathima Mohiuddin.

I’ve covered this bench
In the marks I use to make things mine
It’s a sort of shadow, in negative

Bench by Maria Dowlatshahi. 

My bench was inspired by the Peacock, which throughout history has been associated with so much symbolism: protection, guidance, integrity, and beauty to list just a few.

On the bench I have written, “Welcome back to my bench” which to me really is a means of welcoming myself back to myself,  by just sitting and  enjoying the moment.

Bench by Xische.

We decided to involve the crowd in this effort to raise awareness for benches as, in the end, the benches are for the crowds. Hence, the crowd-sourcing initiative. The various colours of paint we used were to represent the many voices that joined in, and to highlight that the bench belongs to the people. This way, the people belong to the bench too, forever immortalised on its surface. Awareness of the campaign spread like wild fire in the few days that it was live which was great for all involved.

Images courtesy S*uce and The Pavilion.

www.shopatsauce.com
www.sauceprojects.com/benches
www.pavilion.ae

Abu Dhabi Art 2010

The second edition of Abu Dhabi Art is happening this week from 4th-7th November at the Emirates Palace Hotel. It's an art fair which brings together an exclusive selection of high-level art galleries and innovative emerging galleries from around the world.

For this year’s edition, over 40 local and international galleries will be present, so I am looking forward to seeing some great artwork (shame I don’t have the cash to buy any). The four day event will also include talks, workshops and educational activities which all look very promising. The full programme guide can be downloaded here.

Some of the highlights include:

• Guggenheim Abu Dhabi - Representing History Now, a discussion with artists Lara Baladi, Iftikhar Dadi, Mary Kelly and Akram Zaatari, moderated by Suzanne Cotter
• Louvre Abu Dhabi, analysis and perspectives are explored by the AFM curators and prominent Emirati personalities that share the joint ambition for this project
• Vincent van Gogh: Facing Tragedy, discussion about Van Gogh’s artistic exploration and the fusion of art and life
• Public Art, from the object to the environment - Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and Mark Potier discuss the public art
• Voices of Emirati Art, a panel discussion that will bring together key protagonists from the Emirati visual arts scene.

But there are two programmes that I'm looking forward to the most, the Design Studio and Art, Talks and Sensations: 

Design Studio, a space where visitors will be able to participate in the creation process, while engaging with international designers.

There will be representations from eminent studios and designers such as the Khatt Foundation, Studio Formafantasma, Campana Brothers ... and my brother Khalid Mezaina, who will be launching his new Krossbreed line of t-shirts, tote bags and notebooks. Needless to say, I am very proud and excited for him. If you will be around, please drop by to say hello and check out his products.

Krossbreed products by Khalid MezainaThere will be an unveiling of the Campana Brothers’ installation that was created in collaboration with two young Emirati designers, Khalid Shafar and Noura Al Mehairi.

There will also be a design workshop, led by Huda Smitshuijzen Abi Fares from Khatt Foundation & Joumana Al Jabri from Febrik, which will consider the role of typography in the urban landscape and engage its participants in the creation of site-specific typographic work that fuses city narratives to a broader dialogue concerning participatory art in a public space.

Khatt FoundationAutarchy by Formafantasma 

Art, Talks and Sensations, curated by Fabrice Bousteau promises to be an inspiring journey through a labyrinth of art on the beach of the Emirates Palace hotel. Visitors will be able to “lose themselves – both imaginatively and literally – in a sensory-awakening artistic promenade”. There will be a daily programme, some of the highlights include:

• an open-air movie theatre screening short films by artists Camille Henrot and Yang Fudong
• a new series of photographs by Erwin Wurm
• ‘The Desert of Deserts’ a sound installation by the American collective Soundwalk

I missed last year’s Abu Dhabi Art, but after looking at the detailed programme and the last year’s  highlights on video (below), I’m looking forward to going back to the capital for this.

www.abudhabiartfair.ae