dubai street art turns urban sprawl into openair museum
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

The Middle East's largest shopping centre Dubai Mall

Dubai street art turns urban sprawl into open-air museum

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Dubai street art turns urban sprawl into open-air museum

The streets of Dubai may be known for architectural superlatives
Dubai - Arab Today

The streets of Dubai may be known for architectural superlatives like Burj Khalifa, the highest of the world's high-rises, and the Middle East's largest shopping centre Dubai Mall.

But a group of street artists now also wants to turn the concrete walls of a fast-growing urban sprawl into an open-air museum that celebrates Emirati heritage and speaks to everyone in the multicultural city.

From poetry painted in intricate Arabic calligraphy to a portrait of an old man rowing a wooden boat, the art of the government-funded Dubai Street Museum is bringing new life to the city.

The project features the work of 16 mural and graffiti artists of different genres and nationalities, including four Emiratis.

They include Malaysian-based Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic -- who has been likened to British graffiti artist Banksy -- and Tunisian street artist The Inkman.

Each brings their own interpretation of a curated theme -- "The Past" -- to the 2nd of December Street in the heart of Satwa, one of the older quarters of Dubai. 

"Dubai has everything, from finance to tourism," says project director Shaima Al-Soueidi

"Tourists can see our history at the museums. But we want everyone to be able to see that history everywhere, even in the streets." 

Urban art is a growing trend in the Middle East, a region dotted with cities carrying complex -- and frequently crisis-ridden -- histories.

But while graffiti in older cities like Tunis and Beirut often acts as a form of resistance against contemporary politics, the art form takes on a more a conciliatory tone in Dubai. 

- 'Hope it spills over' -

Satwa, originally home to Emirati bedouins, is today a working-class neighbourhood largely inhabited by labourers from the Philippines. 

Known locally as "mini Manila", Satwa is a bustling residential area dotted with late-night restaurants and shops selling everything from car parts to Chantilly lace.

Satwa's unique social makeup caught the eye of those behind the Dubai Street Museum, who hope to see the project spread further across the city. 

"We were on the hunt for a way to turn Dubai into an open(-air) museum," Al-Soueidi explains. 

"Because of its history and its position in the city, we landed on the 2nd of December Street as the ideal site." 

The first mural in the neighbourhood is that of a man in his abra, a narrow boat carved out of wood traditionally used for travel and trade across the Dubai Creek. 

Further down the street, an image of the national white-and-gold falcon stands three storeys high, while a building facade is covered in white, red and green patterns that echo the weave in traditional garments. 

Emirati muralist Ashwaq Abdullah is among the artists to bring their vision to the walls and parking lots of Dubai. 

Her own mural pays homage to founders of the United Arab Emirates, sheikhs Rashed Al Maktoum and Zayed Al Nahyan.

"Mural art speaks to everyone in all segments of society and it generally focuses on the past, the heritage, of the place," Abdullah explains. 

"For me this is a chance to express my love for my country," she adds. 

"The hope is that it spills over into streets all across Dubai."

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

dubai street art turns urban sprawl into openair museum dubai street art turns urban sprawl into openair museum

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

dubai street art turns urban sprawl into openair museum dubai street art turns urban sprawl into openair museum

 



GMT 10:10 2017 Thursday ,09 February

3 Important Elements You Have to Consider

GMT 04:03 2017 Monday ,24 April

Bella Hadid ‘dying’ to visit Palestine

GMT 19:25 2016 Wednesday ,25 May

The Brooklyn Desk by Oeuf NYC

GMT 07:49 2018 Friday ,05 January

2 Russian servicemen killed

GMT 07:58 2018 Monday ,01 January

Italy orders N. Korea's envoy to leave

GMT 08:45 2017 Wednesday ,20 December

US military imagines war without GPS

GMT 17:26 2017 Sunday ,17 December

Putin thanks Trump for help in foiling attack plot

GMT 22:19 2017 Monday ,16 October

Cairo-hosted Fatwa conf. new contribution

GMT 02:27 2016 Friday ,10 June

Video hints Japan abetting illegal ivory trade

GMT 07:04 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

1,883 Bahrainis found jobs in March

GMT 14:24 2016 Tuesday ,22 November

Citi and JPMorgan top list of ‘globally banks’

GMT 21:43 2017 Friday ,01 September

People question Nazaruddin`s repatriation expenses

GMT 09:41 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

OIC concerned over violence in Mali

GMT 01:30 2017 Friday ,27 October

May22/Jun21

GMT 05:38 2016 Friday ,30 December

Dubai Airports divert 13 flights due to heavy fog

GMT 11:38 2017 Saturday ,14 January

Mexico names new ambassador to US

GMT 12:03 2017 Wednesday ,22 March

Kuwait to mark World Water Day

GMT 15:00 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

HM King receives invitation from Egyptian President

GMT 02:45 2017 Tuesday ,05 December

President Bashir arrives in Chad

GMT 02:45 2017 Wednesday ,16 August

Turkmen President Visits Pakistan
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday