It’s a relatively new concept for Dubai galleries to hand the curatorial reins of some of their shows to an outside specialist. And while it is refreshing for the gallerist to see how someone else interprets and communicates an exhibition, the change is also stimulating for visitors familiar with that gallery’s programming.
One of the first to recruit a curator and regularly present such shows is Yasmin Atassi of Dubai's Green Art Gallery. In 2010 she invited Berlin-based Charlotte Bank, who put together Borderlines, Deconstructing Exile, a group show concerned with issues of identity and displacement by Palestinian artists.
“It’s always been important to invite curators to do group shows as they add a language to the programme. This keeps me excited, interested and it prevents monotony,” says Atassi. “The audience is very receptive to such shows and appreciate a good story and varied works.” Since 2012, Green Art Gallery has enlisted several curators, including Ipek Ulusoy Akgül, Jane Neal and Lantian Xie. It has even assigned its own artists – Kamrooz Aram and Alessandro Balteo Yazbeck – to the task of curating exhibitions.
Isabelle van den Eynde, founder of her eponymous gallery, has also relied on the expertise of her artists Rokni and Ramin Haerizadeh to present exhibitions.
"Artists have a certain dialogue with their own peers," says Atassi. This "dialogue" led her to discover Nazgol Ansarinia, who is now part of the gallery roster, and whose work was included by Green Art Gallery artist Aram when he curated the 2012 show A Permanent Record for Future Investigation.
“Another layer of reading is very interesting. It gives a fresh voice to my stable of artists and it brings a challenge,” says van den Eynde, whose gallery staged a solo exhibition for French artist Abdelkader Benchamma, curated by Athens-based Yasmina Reggad in March. “These curators take us out of our comfort zones and the whole experience offers us a break from our routines and opens new doors, dialogues and collaborations.”
Reggad, who also curated Art Dubai Projects this year, believes it is an enriching experience for everyone involved.
“I think our input lies in the relationship between artists and curator and the kind of confidence a curator can give to an artist,” she says. “Our relationship also grows beyond the walls of the gallery; it travels to other institutions and venues, as well as in writing.”
Benchamma's show was the second time van den Eynde had appointed a curator – the first being White Cube…Literally, which was staged in January, curated by Amanda Abi Khalil and included works by 27 artists and collectives. Based in Beirut, Abi Khalil's highly stimulating White Cube…Literally was the Lebanese curator's pitch as well as her debut project with Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde.
“I enjoyed it because the gallerist was genuinely interested in the exhibition’s statement and its educational ramifications beyond solely a commercial value,” says Abi Khalil. “She [van den Eynde] supported the commissioning of new works to young and established artists, and even included pieces that were not for sale for the iconic contributions they had to the theme and statement of the exhibition.”
The show mixed genres, styles, media and nationalities to explore what constitutes the proverbial “white cube” gallery concept. In doing so, not only were some of the gallery’s artists included, but also new names were introduced through works consigned from 20 galleries. Thus, liaisons with other galleries were made, offering such initiatives broader dialogues.
Group exhibitions that include non-gallery artists are pricey, because of shipping and insurance, but they also carry an element of risk. “These shows are not always commercial viable because you’re pushing for works that the audience has never seen and which don’t have a market per se in Dubai,” says Atassi.
As far as finding curators is concerned, the Delfina Foundation has been very resourceful, and Dubai’s positioning as the region’s cultural hub, has helped attract a greater number of independent curators from all over the world. “In Dubai, the absence or scarcity of non-commercial contemporary art spaces emphasises the need of purely discursive exhibitions,” says Abi Khalil. “And I guess that by inviting curators, galleries are also building a culture and a history of exhibitions in the region.”
Budget cuts in the non-profit realm have translated into a greater number of autonomous cultural protagonists, which in turn has exposed these curators to new artists, regions and media. “I like people who are willing to go beyond what they know,” says van den Eynde.
As Dubai galleries continue to push the limits of their programming and participate in international art fairs and exhibit their artists’ works in biennales and museum shows, there is no doubt the interest in presenting avant-garde approaches will increase. And this points to a healthy and progressive cultural ecosystem.
artslife@thenational.ae
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
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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.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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
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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
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Fuel consumption: L/100km
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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
