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LOCAL
ARTISTS INSPIRED BY
THE PLASTIKI EXPEDITION
The Plastiki is a 60ft boat made entirely of recycled
material, including over 12,500 plastic bottles. The boat, which set sail in
March 2010 from San Francisco, is set to arrive to Sydney, Australia this
month.
It took David de Rothschild, the mastermind behind the boat
and founder of Adventure Ecology, over two years to develop the concept and
complete building the boat. The boat is fitted with solar panels, a garden, and
top of the line electronic equipment, courtesy of HP, all of which are used to
maximise the sustainability of the boat, improve its design, and keep everyone
all around the world up to date with the journey.
The purpose of the boat was to address the fundamental design
flaw in modern day products. The c... read |
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VANILLA
ICE
A blast from the past finally reemerges. Robert Matthew Van Winkle, best
known by his stage name Vanilla Ice was born
October 31st, 1967 in Dallas Texas. He lived a turbulent childhood, caught in
the middle of his parents’ ugly divorce. Robert grew up between Dallas, where
his mother and stepfather lived, and Miami where his father was loc... read |
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MEMORIES, MYTHS AND DREAMS:
Enzo Manara’s poetic world on canvas
bazaar caught up with award-winning Italian artist Enzo Manara to discuss his upcoming art exhibition.
Italian artist Enzo Manara’s solo exhibition opens on January 24th at the Radisson Blu. It demonstrates a challenging dialogue betw... read |
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YAZD:
A THREAD OF LIGHT THROUGH THE BAZAAR
As expected, talented artist Nadia Al-Foudery’s arresting photo-embroidery exhibition at Sultan Gallery was indeed a treat for art lovers.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Nadia is a Greek-Kuwaiti artist based in Athens. She developed an ... read |
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KUWAIT IN PAINT
If you believe that a painting is a static object, you only have to visit Lewis Chapman’s latest gallery to encounter dynamism in paint. But how can a painting, comprised of mere colorful brushstrokes on a plain canvas, exude vigor or sentiment? How can a synthetic representation emit emotion? The trick is to follow the techniques of a movemen... read |
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NAUSHEEN SHEIKH: ARTIST, TEACHER AND INTERIOR DESIGNER
Have you ever wandered through a modern art exhibit or gallery and thought, “Hey… I could make that! A trip to my local art supply store to pick up some tubes of acrylic paint and a blank canvas, and I am on my way to quite the little masterpiece.” Well, this is definitely not the feeling you get as you take in Naush... read |
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REVEALING TRUTHS THROUGH ART
“Revealing Truths” was a dazzling show of truly beautiful photographs that were neither overbearing nor over dramatic. The show was an intense and vibrant display of work that featured more than 60 stunning photographs from the work of seven contemporary Iranian artists spanning three generations who view art as a tool for changing... read |
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HE SCAR TISSUE OF THE WORLD’S CRUDE ECONOMY
The first exhibit of 56 large-scale color landscapes from Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky chronicling the impact of oil made its debut at Washington’s Corcoran Gallery of Art – less than a block from the White House. The show, chronicling the world’s predominant energy source, can’t help carrying a political message.
“E... read |
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LARGER THAN LIFE
bazaar caught up with Dr Khaled Al Najdi whose solo exhibition recently debuted at the Dar Al Funoon art gallery. Al Najdi’s canvases capture the eternal allure of the “Digital Reflections of Kuwaiti Heritage.” His figurative works depict Kuwait in its past and present, in the new milieu of urbanization and globalization.
K... read |
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GRAPHIC DESIGN STEP UP AT AUK
Graphic designers take on the task of turning ideas into images and symbols using technology that often baffles those who wouldn’t know where to start on a creative journey with a keyboard and screen. They’re interesting and creative people; I often find that they have an innate introverted ability to communicate without words. I was recentl... read |
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FROM INVITATION TO PRICELIST
The art of choosing which gallery opening to visit
My brother once confessed to me that he never knew what to expect when visiting a gallery opening. He said that when he visited a gallery opening there was always a fifty-fifty chance of him either loving it, or hating it. I found his comments rea... read |
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THE ABAYA IN THE LIMELIGHT
Who’s Next & Premiere Classe Fashion tradeshow hold abaya contest
Who’s Next & Premiere Classe, the famous Parisian fashion tradeshows that are to take place for the first time in the Middle East this coming October, have announced the cultural theme of their design competition: the Abaya. More than just a tra... read |
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UAEISM, AN ART MOVEMENT OF SHARING
Traditionally, Gulf Arabs have invested in modern and contemporary art, but mostly elevated versions of calligraphy because it’s an art they can relate to. But the last four years have seen major changes in perceptions and a widening of horizons.
“But it’s a bit early to dream of art movements”, cautions Shaqayeq Arabi, an established a... read |
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DESIGN FOR YOUTH:
Al Arjan promotes the Arts in Kuwait
The management at Al Argan International Real Estate Co. must be lauded for their effort in bringing us one of the most spectacular events of this year. Al Argan International, in association with LoYAC, held the Design for Youth ‘09 event which... read |
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FROM MID-CENTURY MUMBAI, WITH LOVE
Bollywood Cinema paintings showcased at Sultan Gallery
The Sultan Gallery recently exhibited a large collection of hand-painted Bollywood Giclee prints featuring Indian movie icons and award-winning films. The collection spans 25 years of the budding industry’s history, and arrived in Kuwait from Du... read |
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SHOCK, SHOCK, HORROR
Bayt Keshkha’s exhibition at Sultan Gallery
The Sultan Gallery’s white walls stood in stark contrast to the deep hues and dark undertones of Bayt Keshkha’s latest art exhibition entitled, “Gulf Goth Visual Vortex GGVV.” The exhibit showed from March 31st to April 2nd and was a group... read |
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COLORFUL, CONTEMPORARY AND COMPELLING CANVASES OF REZA DERKASHANI
Painter ,musician and performer, Reza Derakshani is a versatile artist who is inspired by a strong connection to his Iranian heritage. Known for his subdued earthy palette and truly individual style, the meticulous renderings of Derakshani were recently on display at Dar Al-Funoon. One of Iran’s most exciting artists, Derakshani’s inspi... read |
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WENDY YEO: ENCHANTRESS OF COLORS
The paintings on display at the Boushahry Art Gallery were signature Wendy Yeo, whose artwork is simple, beautiful, and easy to interpret.
She is one of those artists whose work remains compelling for a large audience. As an artist, Wendy is part dreamer part storyteller. With a few mere dabs of paint and a paint brush, she manages to expresses her vision in an intriguing manner... read |
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HOT PHOTOGRAPHY
Starbucks Photo Exhibit
Many thousands of years ago (around Fall 2006), when I was still in art school, I used to frequently visit a few coffee shops. In one of those locally owned, practically student run, lounge-like areas, I found a venue to spread my creative wings. ... read |
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PECHA KUCHA SPURS CHIT CHAT IN KUWAIT
Kuwait’s inaugural Pecha Kucha Night was held on March 11, 2009. Heavily attended, the evening featured eight presentations by creative students and professionals at Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah in Maidan-Hawalli. So, what exactly is Pecha Kucha, you ask, and how are you even supposed to say it? Pronounced “peh-chak-cha,” the ... read |
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FUSION OF PROSAIC AND POETIC METAPHORS
Caught in the intermission between the past and the present, Nedim Kufi tells bazaar of his fragile dreams, joyful memories and the pain of being an artist in exile.
The Sultan Gallery recently celebrated the artworks of Nedim Kufi, an Iraqi-Dutch visual artist, who is best known for his works that address notions of displacement. His multi-layered statements which jump out of his artwork speak about a utopian... read |
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A BRUSH WITH POETRY, NOSTALGIA, ART AND BEYOND
The newest exhibit displayed in Dar Al Funoon embodied art pieces which reach out to everyone.
The Dar Al Funoon gallery hosted a beautiful collection of works from four prominent Lebanese artists: Etel Adnan, Huguette Khoury Calland, Bassam Geitani and Mansour El Habre. These artists explore through abstraction the nuances o... read |
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APPLES EXHIBITION
One show, six Artists celebrating women’s day
Set against the backdrop of Marina Hotel, the Apples Exhibition celebrated Women’s Day and was a reminder to many of what women offer on a daily basis in life to family, friends, communities and the world as a whole.
The beige and neutral colo... read |
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SULTAN GALLERY EXPLORED
Mahatma Gandhi once said: “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”
It is my personal belief that galleries are our country’s other home, with windows that stand open... read |
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"I CELEBRATE BEING A WOMAN"
Patricia Millns sets her own tone in an engaging exhibition of her recent works of mixed media installations titled ‘Emra’a…woman’ at Dar Al Funoon. The exhibition was a tantalizing teaser to this artist’s versatility and virtuosity in her chosen medium.
There is a sense of freedom and fluidity in Patricia Millns work that helps ... read |
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ENTICING WEB OF ATTACHMENTS
She was destined to make a mark. Amira Behbehani has come a long way, from being anonymous to widely known in the art scene. This young artist, who is almost on the verge of touching dizzying heights, talks to bazaar about her journey.
Kuwaiti artist Amira Behbehani exhibited her paintings in a series entitled Kingdom of Attachments, that ran from February 17 to February 19 at the Sultan Gallery.
Completed over a period of six-months, the paintings in this collection atte... read |
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UN-INDOCTRINATED RENDERINGS
The Art Space exhibit at AIS: Far beyond popsicle sticks and paper- mâché
Elementary school art teacher Laney Gehmair tells a story from her childhood that is all too common. She’s in elementary school, in art class, and she is asked to draw a snowman. She eagerly accepts the challenge, with the passion only a child c... read |
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BETWEEN HYPNOTIC LINES
What is extraordinary about artist Ghadah Al-Kandari? First, she is self-taught. Second, she is extremely honest in her rendering. Her artwork was recently showcased at the Sultan Gallery.
It takes more than courage to paint like Ghadah Al-Kandari. There is a spontaneous raw energy that radiates from this sensitive young woman’s work. The work is captivating, with an unusual simplicity and straightforwardness.
Compared to... read |
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A STITCH OF SHIBORI
No one but Jane Callender can make a simple fabric look seductive with her magical touch of shibori art. She was recently in Kuwait to present a lecture cum workshop for the Kuwait Textile Arts Association at Sadu House.
Shibori art and Indigo dyeing make for a heady mix for this shibori icon. She is extremely passionate about clot... read |
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ARTICULATIONS OF HELEN KARAM
They say some people are just born to do certain things; she was born to paint. bazaar caught up with Helen Karam, a Lebanese artist whose work was recently featured at the Boushahri Art Gallery.
Helen Karam is regarded as one of the most prominent Lebanese artists and of late, her artwork has been garnering rave reviews across the globe. Her v... read |
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OF ABSTRACT ALLEGORY AND LINEAR NARRATIVES
His work is rich in content and meaning. Joseph Harb's art echoes his restless quest for the unknown.
Wielding his paintbrush with a frenzy, he works powerful statements on canvases. The solo exhibition of Joseph Harb's work is engaging and impressive. This fascinating exhibition is showcasing over 32 of his works at the Sultan Gallery. The titles... read |
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A MELANGE OF IRANIAN ART
Of heech sculptures, textural images and weeping roses
A new exhibition, "Trends in contemporary Iranian art since the Saqqakhaneh," recently unveiled at the Dar Al Funoon art gallery. The exhibition was an exciting integration of old and new, tradition and innovation. It was very heartening to see th... read |
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REUSE 2.0
Recycling and other dirty, pretty things
Trash, waste, refuse, garbage, scrap, junk… Whatever you want to call it, whether produced by your neighbor or the multi-national manufacturing plant on the other side of the world, it is everyone’s problem. Kuwait’s Metal and Recycli... read |
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POETRY IN MOTION
Capturing all the subtlety and nuances of the magic of bharatanatyam, Guru Rangashree’s disciples enthralled the audience with their rich dance repertoire.
Indian Dance Company Kinkini’s silver jubilee celebrations were a true celebration of the Indian heritage. The brilliant juxtaposition of rhythm, melody, mood, movement, and music was inspirational and uplifting and spoke volumes about the inc... read |
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HYPHENATED NOTIONS OF FARAJ DAHAM
His artworks are rendered in an interesting 'dual perspective' rousing intuitive reactions from the viewer who has to look a bit extra hard at his illusive works to capture multitude of meanings.
Like quasi-utopian affirmation, his work embraces worlds within a worldwith a rhythm of repetition that demands the attention of both thesenses and the intellect of the viewer. Most of his imagery is drawnfrom everyday life and global happenings a... read |
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ANTONIO BASELGA
And the art of transportation
I’m not so pretentious as to come across as experienced in the realm of art criticism. It’s only that I love art, and this makes my opinion slightly more informed than someone who is indifferent or adverse. So let me say this quickly: Spanis... read |
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ART SPEAKS FOR ITSELF:
bazaar speaks with Nada Dalloul
What makes an artist? Is it their daringness to defy stigmas and break boundaries; their technical mastery of replicating reality in meticulous detail through the skillful use of color and lines; or is it the timely importance of their message and... read |
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