New pop-up gallery at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah; Art D’Égypte show ends
- 22 Nov 2021
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah — one of the world’s most iconic architectural landmarks — has unveiled a new pop-up exhibition space in collaboration with international contemporary art gallery, Galleria Continua. Located in the first-floor lobby beneath the hotel’s atrium, the dedicated area will showcase previously unseen works by British Indian artist, Sir Anish Kapoor CBE.
Running till January 2022, guests can discover seven pieces from different series and research on light, colour and materiality that the artist has conducted over the years, engaging the audience in a visual and sensorial experience.
They comprise brilliantly coloured discs, magistral alabaster works and mesmerising, mirrored pieces from the Turner prize-winner’s acclaimed Alice collection, realised in 2017.
Chosen exclusively for the exhibition, each piece conveys a sense of infinity and suspended time. The collaboration comes as Ermanno Zanini, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah General Manager, realises his vision of further enhancing the hotel’s renowned guest experience, by making world-class art accessible through similar activations.
Speaking about the new space, the art and photography connoisseur said: “At Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, we are innovators of Arabian luxury and design — the building itself is a stunning work of art and a triumph of modern architecture. “Together with Jumeirah Group, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of service, culinary and design, to deliver truly unforgettable moments for our guests.
” He added: “I believe that art enriches the soul and can create the transformational and intimate experiences that luxury travellers seek today. “Through our collaboration with Galleria Continua, we are doing exactly that and giving our guests the chance to discover previously unseen works by an acclaimed international artist.
” Lorenzo Fiaschi, co-founder of Galleria Continua, said: “After travelling to the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular, for 15 years bringing even more artistic diversity to their extraordinary culture, we welcomed with enthusiasm the opportunity to build a bridge between Galleria Continua and Dubai.
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“With 31 years of experience in the artworld and seven headquarters scattered between Italy, China, France, Brazil and Cuba, we are beyond excited to begin this new adventure at the prestigious Burj Al Arab Jumeirah with Galleria Continua’s first temporary exhibition space in the Middle East and a solo show by Anish Kapoor. “Once again, art, just like the wind, cannot but flow freely towards every destination and make the world a more peaceful and beautiful place to live.
” Galleria Continua was founded in 1990 by Fiaschi, together with Mario Cristiani and Maurizio Rigillo, with the intention to give continuity to contemporary art in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy, in a landscape rich with the signs of ancient art. Occupying a former cinema, the gallery established itself and thrived in its entirely unexpected location in the town, steeped in timeless history.
Thirty-one years on, it has expanded to Beijing, Les Moulins, Habana, Roma, Sao Paulo, Paris and now, Dubai. Successful conclusion As part of the 18th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival under the slogan “The Future Starts Now”, and through a cultural partnership with Art D’Égypte, the art exhibition Forever Is Now successfully concluded as the first international exhibition taking place on the Giza Plateau at the foot of the Great Pyramids.
Featuring contemporary artworks from the region and the world, including works by Egyptian sculptor Adam Henein, the exhibition was curated by the internationally renowned Simon Watson. Huda Ibrahim Alkhamis, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, praised the efforts of Art D’Egypte founder Nadine Abdel Ghaffar and her team. “Forever Is Now is part of a new dawn for Arab artists and an invitation for international audiences to experience a growing movement.
My gratitude goes to Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, the curators and the entire Art D’Egypte team for accomplishing an incredible exhibition. “In our ongoing mission to advocate for and develop international opportunities for all Arab artists, Abu Dhabi Festival strives to make their work and our culture accessible to all.
” Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Founder of Art D’Égypte, said: “The great success of this project is due to the support of our partners and sponsors, including our cultural partner Abu Dhabi Festival, a beacon lighting the way towards reviving the entire cultural sector.
” Participating artists included Russian artist Alexander Ponomarev, Brazilian artist João Trevisan, French Artist JR, Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn, Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr, Egyptian born and Los Angeles-based artist Sherin Guirguis, British artists Shuster + Moseley and Stephen Cox RA and Saudi artist Prince Sultan Bin Fahad. Art D’Égypte also unveiled the creative work of visual artist and architect Karim El Hayawan, along with music by Mohamed Nawara and vocals by soprano Fatma Said. Furthermore, the art documentary paid tribute to 14 contemporary Egyptian artists of the past and present.
Art D’Égypte also introduced a parallel project: Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic humanoid robot, which can draw, paint, sculpt and engage in performance art. The mechatronics and robotics involved in the making of Ai-Da’s drawing arm is designed and programmed by two Egyptian engineers at the University of Leeds, Salah El Abd and Ziad Abbas. The robot’s artworks were also present at the exhibition.