Aspects 5 by Saudi artist Alia Ahmad. Her first solo exhibition is running in Dubai. Photo: Lawrie Shabibi / Anna Shtraus
Aspects 5 by Saudi artist Alia Ahmad. Her first solo exhibition is running in Dubai. Photo: Lawrie Shabibi / Anna Shtraus
Aspects 5 by Saudi artist Alia Ahmad. Her first solo exhibition is running in Dubai. Photo: Lawrie Shabibi / Anna Shtraus
Aspects 5 by Saudi artist Alia Ahmad. Her first solo exhibition is running in Dubai. Photo: Lawrie Shabibi / Anna Shtraus

Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Van Gogh in Dubai and Arab masterpieces in Sharjah


Maan Jalal
  • English
  • Arabic

A diverse line-up of art is on show this weekend including group shows, retrospectives and debut solo exhibitions. Highlights include the last chance to experience a digital reimagining of Vincent van Gogh’s art and life, a homage to the late Syrian artist Leila Nseir and a celebration of Arab art from more than 60 creatives in the region.

Being van Gogh: Until September 30 at Toda, Dubai

Being van Gogh is a digital reimagining of the artist's works and life. Photo: Toda
Being van Gogh is a digital reimagining of the artist's works and life. Photo: Toda

This is the last weekend where you can experience the work of one of the most famous and influential artistic figures in history at the Theatre of Digital Arts. Being van Gogh takes the work of the artist and reimagines his more famous images into 360-degree projections for viewers to observe and walk through. The experience not only allows viewers to be immersed in Van Gogh’s works physically but aspects of the artist's life and milestones are reflected in the digital storytelling of the exhibition.

Until September 30; Toda, Souk Madinat, Dubai

Roots and Modernity: Until November 24 at Sharjah Art Museum

Mother's Day by Sliman Mansour, painted in 1986, will be on show with more than 80 works as part of Sharjah Art Museum's latest exhibition. Photo: Sharjah Art Museum
Mother's Day by Sliman Mansour, painted in 1986, will be on show with more than 80 works as part of Sharjah Art Museum's latest exhibition. Photo: Sharjah Art Museum

The Sharjah Art Museum, in collaboration with the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, presents Roots and Modernity: Contemporary Mediterranean Arab Art Exhibition, which features carefully selected artworks from 62 Arab artists. There are more than 80 pieces from across the Arab world in mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and printmaking. The exhibition not only documents the trajectory of Arab art across the region but also reveals the varying stylistic influences on regional creatives – from traditional practices to international artistic movements.

Until November 24; Sharjah Art Museum

Aspects: Until October 22 at Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai

Works by Saudi artist Alia Ahmad at her first solo exhibition in the UAE. Photo: Photo: Lawrie Shabibi
Works by Saudi artist Alia Ahmad at her first solo exhibition in the UAE. Photo: Photo: Lawrie Shabibi

Saudi artist Alia Ahmad’s first solo exhibition in the UAE, titled Aspects, is an exploration of her personal world and immediate environment. In intimately sized works, including both paintings and watercolours, Ahmad deconstructs and presents abstracted vegetal, floral and geometric shapes as well as other motifs inspired by nature, creating her own visual language. The works balance concepts of pattern making, embroidery and wall murals. Here, Ahmad also plays with notions of infinite geometry and boundless space.

Until October 22; Lawrie Shabibi, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Istoria: Until November 12 at Ayyam Gallery, Dubai

Istoria: Retrospective Reimagining Middle Eastern Feminism with Leila Nseir is a homage to the late Syrian artist. Photo: Ayyam Gallery
Istoria: Retrospective Reimagining Middle Eastern Feminism with Leila Nseir is a homage to the late Syrian artist. Photo: Ayyam Gallery

Ayyam Gallery's new exhibition presents the best of Nseir, whose vibrant oeuvre is a testament to the rich tapestry of her culture. Deeply rooted in humanist concerns and feminist thought – Nseir’s career was impacted by gender persecution and patriarchal attitudes – her work addresses themes of conflict, inequality and poverty. The exhibition showcases these complex themes through her vibrant, colourful works as well as her interplay between tradition and modernity.

Until November 12; Ayyam Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Virtual banks explained

What is a virtual bank?

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.

What’s the draw in Asia?

Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.

Is Hong Kong short of banks?

No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year. 

Liverpool's all-time goalscorers

Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
  • Parasite – 4
  • 1917– 3
  • Ford v Ferrari – 2
  • Joker – 2
  • Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
  • American Factory – 1
  • Bombshell – 1
  • Hair Love – 1
  • Jojo Rabbit – 1
  • Judy – 1
  • Little Women – 1
  • Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
  • Marriage Story – 1
  • Rocketman – 1
  • The Neighbors' Window – 1
  • Toy Story 4 – 1
if you go

The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.

The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.

 

 

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham

6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi

8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan

Mane points for safe home colouring
  • Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
  • Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
  • When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
  • Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
  • If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

Scoreline

Swansea 2

Grimes 20' (pen), Celina, 29'

Man City 3

Silva 69', Nordfeldt 78' (og), Aguero 88'

Brief scoreline:

Tottenham 1

Son 78'

Manchester City 0

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: September 26, 2024, 2:58 AM