The monumental is commonplace in AlUla.
The desert in the ancient Saudi city is like no other, with lofty rock formations that have been streaked, shaped and pockmarked by thousands of years of whimsical erosion. It is a landscape that instills immeasurable awe, a gleeful sense that we are but a speck of an event passing through a timeless terrain.
The third Desert X AlUla comprises artworks that are colossal in their own right. Scattered around three locations within the desert oasis, they aim to bring attention to the unseen marvels of the landscape.
An iteration of the art biennial that originated in California's Coachella Valley, Desert X AlUla is a collaboration between Desert X and The Royal Commission for AlUla. Much like its US counterpart, the event presents a site-specific exhibition where artworks respond to the environment and land.
The third biennial is organised under the theme In the Presence of Absence, featuring newly commissioned works by 17 artists from around the world. The event opened on Friday and runs until March 23. It is a highlight of AlUla Arts Festival.
The best way to experience the exhibition is on foot. This is especially true for its main site at Wadi AlFann, where 13 artworks are being presented. While golf carts are ready to whisk you from one piece to the next, trekking the trail from the visitor’s centre with a map in hand, is the most gratifying way of navigating through Desert X AlUla.
“The whole idea is that we wish people to come to AlUla not [just] to visit Desert X,” says Maya Khalil, who co-curated the event alongside Marcello Dantas, with artistic direction from Raneem Farsi and Neville Wakefield.
“We wish for people to come to AlUla to visit this landscape. The works are almost a private dialogue between the artist and the landscape, then this dialogue gets translated to the viewer when the viewer is here, and then it becomes a dialogue between you and that work.”
So how does the exhibition fulfil its thematic focus of revealing the unseen?
Italian artist Giuseppe Penone’s The Logic of the Vegetal – Metamorphosis is a good starting point to understanding how the artists addressed the theme. A bronze-cast tree trunk lays on its side at the foot of a cliff, its roots gnarled and the tips of its branches submerged in the sand. Real fossilising tree trunks, collected from all over Saudi Arabia, are scattered around the sculpture. Closer observation shows that they are in the process of permineralisation – as the organic matter decays, the minerals harden to a stone mould.
The Logic of the Vegetal – Metamorphosis provides a new way of seeing the surrounding rock formations. “The desert is a mineral country,” Penone says. “There was organic life. In the process of time, wood became stone. The trunks fossilised. Over two hundred million years, the trunk became sand. We are part of these big movements. This cycle.”
Penone says he chose the particular location in the Wadi AlFann for its intimacy, the way the cliffs embrace this pocket of sand, perhaps goading viewers to come closer to the tree trunks and run their hands on the surfaces that have been caught in the midst of their transformation.
Faisal Samra also takes on the concept of time and change with his work The Dot. A long line of stacked rocks lead to a large, mirrored sphere that reflects the surrounding landscape, as well as the viewer. For the Saudi artist, the sphere, or The Dot, is a particular moment in time, or as he said during the press preview of Desert X AlUla, “the trace of a second.” The artwork also allude to the nature of erosion – how sand forms from broken down rocks, weathering over thousands or millions of years.
Juxtaposing the sandstones collected from the area with the sphere and its mirrored surface, Samra wanted to instil within the landscape a material that was entirely man-made, perhaps to highlight the human impact on the natural world.
Monira Al Qadiri, meanwhile, lays bare the connections between environments and the human capacity for storytelling. W.A.B.A.R came about after the Kuwaiti artist visited the Empty Quarter in 2019. There, she found small black beads within the sand that were shaped like pearls and had irregular protrusions jutting from them.
“In the 1930s, a British explorer named St John Philby was told by the locals that there was an Atlantis of the sands buried in the desert. He made the trip but all he found were giant craters and these black beads,” Al Qadiri tells The National.
“The locals told him the beads were actually pearls, and that they were the necklaces of the ladies that lived in the city, but divine punishment befell them and the city burnt down and all of the pearls turned black. He took some of the beads back to London with him and was told they were actually meteorites from out of space.”
Al Qadiri says she became infatuated with the story, particularly how it exhibited human creativity in trying to reason the unknown. The sculptures, made out of bronze, a first for the artist, were based on five of the black beads that she has in her collection. However, the works are manifold larger than the original pieces, able to be seen from a distance.
Every time I come with anticipation, you never tire, you never stop learning from this landscape
Maya Khalil,
co-curator, Desert X AlUla
“The capacity of the human imagination, you find a small rock and you construct an entire narrative and story from it,” she says.
Further into the desert, large, upturned vessels peek out from a sandy clearing between the cliffs. The terracotta vessels vary in designs that allude to pottery from Saudi Arabia as well as Ghana, which is where the artist Ibrahim Mahama is from.
“My great-grandparents were Arabic scholars who travelled across the desert, spreading Islam in Niger, Nigeria, and eventually Ghana, where I was born,” says Mahama. “There was a great tradition of pot-making across these places, and there was always an interest in how they make these pots, keep water in them and bury them halfway in the ground, to keep them cool.
“When we came here in June, it was interesting to look at the landscape, the texture of the rocks, going to the old town, the railway station, the mud houses and thinking of them in relation to the pots.”
Mahama describes the pots as “scars on the landscape.” By upending them in the ground, he says it created a dialogue between the void and the sand. The shapes, which somewhat resemble eggs, also reflect the rounded forms many of the rocks in the surrounding terrain have taken on over the years.
The vessels, dozens of which are lined in the clearing, are only one component of Dung Bara – The Rider Does Not Know The Ground is Hot. Metal designs featuring animals, flies and humans are fitted against the faces of cliffs. Though large, the designs – like many works within the exhibition – can catch viewers by surprise as they turn on to a path, instilling a childlike sensation of discovery.
Mahama is the only artist exhibiting works at all three Desert X AlUla sites, with his Hanging Garden displayed at AlManshiyah Plaza and Gabli Din Pali – A Full Gourd Does Not Rattle; It Is Only a Partially Filled Gourd Which Rattles at Harrat Uwayrid.
Another artwork that uses pots to conceptually mirror the landscape in Wadi AlFann is Reveries by Rana Haddad and Pascal Hachem. The Lebanese artists have constructed three towers from clay pots, each distinct and possible to be viewed from the inside. Arranged in a way that corresponds to the rock formations in nearby cliffs, their shadows stretch on the sand with porous gaps that somewhat mimic those on the cliffs.
One particularly mesmerising work is To Breathe – AlUla by Kimsooja. The South Korean artist has brought her idiosyncratic approach of working with light to the desert. A spiral edifice made from glass and translucent film that diffracts sunlight, the artwork treads inward, enveloping visitors with reflecting and refracting shades of the rainbow – provided the time of day and the position of the sun is just right.
To Breathe – AlUla manages to evoke a direct and mindful encounter with light, again fulfilling the exhibition’s edict of highlighting the unseen.
Ultimately, Desert X AlUla is as much about the art as the sites they are situated in. Khalil says she hopes the exhibition inspires the awe and appreciation she felt for the landscape when she first came to AlUla in 1997.
“We camped here, and I remember they woke us up to see the sunrise,” she says. “Until today, it was the most spectacular sunrise I’d ever seen in my life. The first edition of Desert X AlUla was in 2020, and I've been coming since for every edition.
“Every time I come with anticipation, you never tire, you never stop learning from this landscape."
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
Book%20Details
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Kanye%20West
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
|
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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EXPATS
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Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
