Saturday, Oct 12, 2013
Dubai
A drive along Jumeirah Beach Road past the Dubai Ladies Club will soon be an artistic experience, following the announcement of the Urban Art Wall or Al Ydar project.
The Al Ydar project which translates into ‘wall’ in Arabic will see artwork on the 140-metre-long outward-facing wall of the Dubai Ladies Club. It is part of ongoing efforts to provide a leading platform for talents in the field of arts and culture.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Women’s Establishment.
In a media statement, Shaikha Manal said, “In more recent times the urban art scene has emerged as a creative outlet for societies to express their identity and ideals. Al Ydar encompasses all of these values in a glorious artwork that will stand as a proud symbol of our nation’s vision.
“Over the year, Al Ydar will display new collaborative works of urban and conceptual art, under specific themes. I look forward to witnessing the growth of this ongoing project that will explore different subjects with every new display.”
She added, “I am proud to note that the first edition of Al Ydar will serve as a fitting tribute to UAE’s bid to host the Expo 2020 in Dubai. Al Ydar is a glorious demonstration of the UAE’s will and fervour to successfully host yet another world-class cultural event such as Expo 2020.”
Al Ydar, the Dubai Urban Art Wall, titled ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, brings together nine UAE-based artists — Shaikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, founder and director of FN Designs, Rashid Abdullah Al Mulla, Matt Ryder, Mark Ganzon, Victoria Viray, Joseph Manata, Gian Juan, Katherine Wilson and Mohammad Hindash, a former winner of the Shaikha Manal Young Artist Award. The project was commissioned by FN Designs on behalf of The Cultural Office.
Staff Report
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
