Dubai Holding and British Museum bring Word into Art, Artists of the Modern Middle East Exhibition to the UAE

Dubai: 6 February, 2008: For the first time in the Middle East, lovers of contemporary Middle East art, will have the opportunity to see one of the largest exhibitions of Arabic script to be staged in the region, when Word Into Art, Artists of the Modern Middle East opens to the public at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) tomorrow (February 7).

The exhibition, which was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, underlines the importance placed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed on the arts and culture in the social development of the emirate.

Featuring many modern works of art which have never before been displayed in the Middle East, Word Into Art, Artists of the Modern Middle East, is one of the largest exhibitions staged in the region to focus on how Arabic writing is used in Modern Middle  Eastern art. The exhibition, presented in partnership with Dubai Holding and supported by the Dubai International Financial Centre, has been organised by the British Museum. Admission to the exhibition, which will run from 7th February 2008 until April 30th 2008, is free. Admission times are from 12 pm to 9pm daily.

Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum said: "This is the first time that the British Museum has sent an exhibition to the Middle East. Dubai is the perfect choice as it is a thriving centre for contemporary art. It is wonderful that Dubai Holding have given us the opportunity to stage this important exhibition in such an important city"

Celebrating the creativity of Middle Eastern artists, the exhibition focuses on the way writing has been used in modern art. From traditional Arabic scripts to present day writings, artists across the region have found innovative ways of using script. They write verses from the Qur'an, lines of poetry, use texts to reflect issues of identity, or simply show their delight in the shape of the Arabic letter. It is this rich diversity of approaches that this exhibition seeks to examine.

The majority of works in the exhibition are from the collection of the British Museum, which uniquely amongst British institutions has been acquiring works by artists from the Middle East and North Africa since the mid-1980s.

The exhibition is divided into four sections. Sacred Script, explains the relationship between Arabic script and the religion of Islam, showing the enduring vitality of the Islamic calligraphic tradition today. The powerful literary tradition of the Middle East, the enduring appeal of ancient and modern Arabic and Persian poetry, and the work of Sufi writers is evoked in Literature and Art. Deconstructing the Word, examines the use of script in Middle Eastern abstract art from the mid 20th century to the present day. Here the messages are more ambivalent and link with past or present identities in subtle ways. Finally, Identity, History and Politics looks at the ways in which the words embedded in these works can provide us with real snapshots of history as well as revealing reactions to the region's devastating conflicts during the past few decades.

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About Dubai Holding
Dubai Holding was launched in October 2004 to consolidate the various large-scale infrastructure and investment projects in Dubai, as well as to identify opportunities to develop future major projects that will benefit the UAE and the region.

The company has been created with the goal of providing a better future for all through the range of life-improving industries it is involved in. Each Dubai Holding operating company focuses on key areas which dynamically support the development of Dubai as a world-leading hub for commerce, leisure and finance.

Dubai Holding has created a strong foothold in various industries by developing pioneering initiatives spanning numerous sectors including healthcare, technology, finance, real estate, education, telecommunication, entertainment & leisure, energy, communication, industrial manufacturing, biotechnology, hospitality and aerospace.

Dubai Holding entities include: Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubailand, Dubai International Capital, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Properties, Sama Dubai, Dubai Group, Dubai Energy, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Outsource Zone, International Media Production Zone, e-Hosting Datafort, EMPOWER, Jumeirah Group, Dubiotech and Dubai Studio City.

For further information please visit: www.dubaiholding.com, or contact:
Sabah Ahmad
Dubai Holding
Tel: +971 4 362 2000       
Fax: +971 4 362 2091    
Email: Sabah.ahmad@dubaiholding.com

Malcolm Ward
JiWin
The Public Relations arm of the Media Services Group
Dubai Media City
Tel: +971 4 3613576
Fax: + 971 4 3888001
Email: malcolm.ward@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2008