My UAE Chronicles: Talking Art – Louvre Abu Dhabi

August 21, 2009.

Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi is an event that has been conceived to celebrate the continuing development of the Louvre Abu Dhabi project. Its objective is to present the principal architectural and cultural aspects of the project.

Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the five iconic cultural institutions within the Saadiyat Island Cultural District development. A universal museum for the 21st century, this program of tours and events reveal the spirit and concept of Louvre Abu Dhabi for the first time.

I remember the first time I saw the actual Madonna and Child of Bellini. I told myself I could die right there and then. I could not believe that it was really happening. That I was staring, and at the same time admiring, the very same painting which I only saw in art books and slides in my art class. It was really in front of me and I was just filled with awe right that very moment.

It’s me! 😀

Giovanni Bellini
(Venice, 1430-Venice, 1516)
Madonna & Child
Venice, circa 1480-1485
Oil on panel

I have asked my friend’s parents, Tito Manny and Tita Olga, together with my flatmates to go with me to the exhibition. They said ‘yes’ in an instant. This was my second time to attend an art exhibit at the Emirates Palace. The first time was the Picasso Exhibit, which is another chronicle for me to tell. 😀

Here are some of the photos from the exhibition. I only took these photos from the brochure they provided since it was not allowed to take pictures inside.

Black Figures Amphora
Greece, circa 520 BC
Ceramic
Attributed to the Antimenes Painter
(2nd half of the 6th century BC)

“Sosibios” Vase
Athens, circa 50 BC
Marble
Musee du Louvre, Dept. of Greek, Etruscan & Roman Antiquities — at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

Head of Buddha
North China (from Henan to Shandong), Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 AD)
White marble

Standing Bodhisattva
(Maitreya)
Gandhara region (present Pakistan), perhaps Takht-Bahi or Sahri-Bahlol, 2nd-3rd century AD
Schiste

Lamp inscribed with the name of Sultan Hassan
Egypt, 1347-1361
Glass, blown, enameled and gilded
Loan from the Musee du Louvre, Dept. of Islamic Art, former Spitzer collection

Christ showing his wounds
Bavaria or Austria, circa 1515
Limewood, polychrome

Jean-Francois de Troy
(Paris, 1679-Rome, 1752)
Esther fainting before Ahaseurus
Paris, 1730
Oil on canvas

Bartolome Esteban Murillo
(Seville, 1617-Seville, 1682
Jacob’s Dream
Seville (Spain), circa 1665
Oil on canvas

Edouard Manet
The Bohemian
Paris, 1861-1862
Oil on canvas

Vessel depicting the Feast of Cupid and Psyche
Urbino (Italy), 1541
Earthenware

Tsonga Headrest
Zambia, 2nd half of the 19th century
Wood

Paul Cezanne
Rocks near the caves above Chateau Noir
Aixen-Provence, circa 1904
Oil on canvas
Paris, Musee d’Orsay

This is how the Louvre Abu Dhabi will look once the construction is done.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

After our so-called art appreciation experience, Tito Manny treated us for a cup of coffee at the nearest coffee shop.

With Cher

Tita Olga and Tito Manny

The coffee shop

With my flatmates, Cher & Khendz

My cappuccino

Going home 🙂

On our way home, I also took photos of the light decorations on the street, celebrating the Ramadan holidays.

My UAE Chronicles: The Guggenheim – The Making of a Museum

February 2010.

The exhibit was organized in a collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, which brings masterworks from the great collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to the Middle East for the first time. It is the first exhibition to be organized under the auspices of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum.

My colleagues (Monica & Erma) and I decided to check the exhibit after work. The exhibition was held at Emirates Palace, the 7-star hotel in Abu Dhabi.

And because I was an Art Studies graduate and haven’t been anywhere near Europe, this was the closest I got to all of those paintings I have studied back in college. I almost died after seeing the great works of Seurat, Cezanne and Pollock.

It’s me! 🙂

Vasily Kandinsky’s Decisive Rose. This was what was posted outside the exhibit.

The following photos are from the exhibit itself which I got from Arts Abu Dhabi website since it was not allowed to take photos inside. You can constantly check this website for more art-related events. 🙂

Photo Credit: http://www.abudhabiart.ae/

Photo Credit: http://www.abudhabiart.ae/

Photo Credit: http://www.abudhabiart.ae/

Photo Credit: http://www.abudhabiart.ae/

Photo Credit: http://www.abudhabiart.ae/

Photo Credit: http://www.abudhabiart.ae/

The planned museum will look like this once it is done.

Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

After appreciating all that beauty, we decided to stay a bit longer at the hotel to also take some photos.

The ceiling of the hotel

Look at that floor!

With Erma 🙂

The wall of the hotel bearing the typical Arabic art.

With Monica

Inside the lift 😀

In Pictures: Lady Gaga’s desert adventure

Source: Arabian Business

 

In pictures: Lady Gaga arrives at Dubai Airport

Source: Arabian Business

Last night, the pop-princess arrived at Dubai’s International Airport for her Dubai segment of her fourth world tour “artRAVE: The Artpop Ball Tour”.

 

 

This will be her first ever performance in the Middle East, set to take place on September 10 at the Meydan Racecourse.

Mother Monster was greeted by her legions of fans who were vying for her attention as she kissed the arm of one of her little monsters.

“My fans were so sweet at the airport I was so choked up! I have been dreaming of coming to the Middle East and finally #dreamscometrue,” she wrote on her social media page.

Gaga was dressed up in a formal evening gown, unlike her usual outlandish costumes.

The beautiful golden number sparkled with sequins and was accented with a turquoise jeweled headband which resembled a crown.

Although quite sheer, she wore a body suit underneath the dress in the same nude colour. This is as modest as Lady Gaga gets as she promised to respect the local culture as well as adapt her show to it.

“I hope during this trip I can show my true self, with a message of acceptance, tolerance, a respect for individuals of all cultures,” she posted.

Upon arrival to her hotel suite she tweeted, “Lady Dubai in my absolutely exquisite hotel. What a privilege to be here. They have been so gracious and kind to me. #DubaiMonster4Life”.

 

Gaga stated in an interview with Karl Lagerfeld that she is very excited about visiting Dubai and plans on giving her fans the show of a lifetime.

The concert, described as a glitzy spectacle, has been receiving rave reviews by fans from around the world. In true Gaga fashion, it will be filled with whimsical costumes, mountains of confetti, extreme acrobatics and an elaborate stage set-up.

In pictures: Bond exhibition

Source: Arabian Business

A new exhibition has launched at the London Film Museum, showing some of the most recognizable vehicles from the James Bond movies.

Vic Armstrong poses in front of the Jaguar XKR from ‘Die Another Day’ ahead of the opening of the Bond In Motion exhibition at the London Film Museum on March 18, 2014 in London, England. The Exhibition is the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles and opens on the 21st March to the general public. (Getty Images)

A general view ahead of the opening of the Bond In Motion exhibition at the London Film Museum on March 18, 2014 in London, England. The Exhibition is the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles and opens on the 21st March to the general public. (Getty Images)

The Wizard of Oz, The classic MGM Musical live on stage in Dubai!

It was a Wicked night :)

Photo from Rappler.com

I have always loved watching musicals and every time something comes up in Manila, Joie, one of my CVG friends and now my kumare, makes it a point to inform me about it. Joie, and her bestfriend, Beth, have eventually become my ‘musicals buddies’. We’ve watched West Side Story, Rent, Mama Mia! together and Wicked is the latest (I missed Cats because I was not in the Philippines when it was shown). We were booked as early as September and at that time I was still a work from home mom that now  I had to move my work schedule (yes, I’m back in the call center industry) from 12am-9am from the usual 9pm-6am. 

I was supposed to meet them up at Joie’s place at 6pm but due to an unexpected traffic from Pasig to Shaw last Friday night, I came 30 minutes late. Joie has a car now so we didn’t have to take a cab anymore as we used to. Joie checked in with Elvis, her machine navigator (I really have no idea what it’s called) for the fastest route we could take from her place to CCP. On the way, both Joie and Beth were already feeling hopeless that we would make it on time and might just end up watching the second act while I was feeling guilty and just kept praying that we somehow make it.

Kuya Jess is really great because he has heard my prayers! We were parked at exactly 7:30pm near CCP, half-running, half-walking while wearing short dresses and heels towards the theater. I was running out of breath by the time we reached the elevator. We were seated just 3-5 minutes before the show started.

Prior to coming here, I had no idea what Wicked is all about. Unlike the previous musical plays we saw, I really had zero knowledge about this one. I tried checking out its story in Wikipedia but after reading just a few information, I decided it would be better that I don’t know it’s story when I watch it. I just checked the songs used in it that I might be familiar with.

During first act, I was laughing because of the lines delivered especially by Glinda; I was in awe of how great the characters were especially of both Elphaba and Glinda; and I was in tears after Elphaba started opening up to Glinda of how she felt it was all her fault why Nessarose had ended up the way she did.

I cried again during the second act when Glinda realized Fiyero didn’t love her and chose Elphaba over her and how their friendship turned sour. I cried when Fiyero was alone with Elphaba in a cave telling her “it’s not a lie. It’s how you look at things differently.” I cried when Nessarose blamed Elphaba for everything Elphaba and Glinda made up and ended up being best friends again.

Photo from Rappler.com: Elphaba & Glinda

Grabe! Sinipon talaga ko kakaiyak habang pasimpleng nagpupunas ng luha! :))

I’d say this has been the best of the few musicals I’ve seen. Ibang klase. Gusto mong ulit-ulitin. 😀

 

***My camera’s memory card got busted and won’t work now no matter what I do. I lost the few photos I took so I just grabbed some photos from Rappler.com. 

 

Peace in an open space: an exhibition of sound art

Abu Dhabi Art 2013

Source: Arabian Business

The highlights of the festival from the heart of Saadiyat Island.

The third edition of Abu Dhabi Art, a platform for modern and contemporary art, commenced its diverse program of exhibitions, film-screenings, performances and speaking platforms opened on November 20. Here we present the highlights from the heart of Saadiyat Island.

Erwin Wurm – Fat Car, 2013: This artwork is an example of Erwin Wurn’s work. A new artwork is being produced for Abu Dhabi Art 2013 and will be made of Styrofoam and polyester encasing an actual car.

Pablo Reinoso – Spaghetti Bale: 253 x 320 x 168 cm Courtesy Carpenters Workshop Gallery, this artwork is made of Wood, steel and was created in 2008.

Bassam Geitani – War Victims: The 2013 Wall installation with mirrored stainless steel and rust was Courtesy Bassam Geitani.

Pascale Marthine Tayou – Plastic bags: This structure took a total of 10 year to complete, from 2001–2011 Plastic bags is Courtesy of GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Le Moulin and the artist.

Frank Stella – La Penna di Hu: The artwork, created in 1984, is from the Haunch of Venison Exhibition in London. Mixed media is used on etched magnesium, aluminum and canvas.

Fatema Al Mazrouie – Poem: Courtesy of Salwa Zeidan Gallery, the 2013 artwork is a collage of mixed media on canvas.

Joana Vasconcelos – Guadlaquibir: The Stainless steel shower heads have been cloaked in handmade woolen crochet, ornaments, polyester. The artwork was created in 2013 and is courtesy Galeria Horrach Moyá.

Abdul Qader Al Rais – Calligraphy: The 2012 watercolour painting is 150 x 100 cm in size.

Ed Ruscha – Mount Something-Or-Other: Courtesy of Edward Tyler Nahem L.L.C., the 2004 acrylic on canvas renders an effect that reflects still life.

Louise Bourgeois – Cell XV (For Turner): Courtesy of Cheim & Read, New York, details of this structure were completed in 2000 and composed of steel, aluminum, mirrors, glass and water.

Callum Innes – Exposed Painting Oriental Blue: Courtesy of Kerlin Gallery, the 2013 Oi on linen spans over 180 x 175 cm.

Jean Nouvel – Boite à outils: This stainless steel structure can be viewed at the Gagosian Gallery, Paris, and is part of a six structure edition. It was created in 2011 and courtesy of Gagosian Gallery and Galerie Patrick Seguin.

Robert Longo – Study of Falcon: The 2013 Ink and charcoal on vellum artwork is courtesy of the artist and Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac.

Bird’s Eye View: The Ink and colour on paper piece is courtesy of Hanart TZ Gallery and composed of 26 Panels.

Hassan Sharif, Iron No. 5: This unique edition of the iron installation can be viewed at The Flying House in Dubai, courtesy of Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde and the artist.

Zhang Hongtu- Shan Shui, Untitled: Ink, oil on rice paper, mounted on panel makes this artwork come to life. The 2013 photo is courtesy of the artist and Tina Keng Gallery in Taipei and Beijing.

Morellet – L’Avalanche (Centre Pompidou) : This installation by the French artist was created in 1996 and evolved till 2011.

Timo Nasseri – Gon: The stainless steel structure was created in 2011 and is courtesy of Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Beirut/ Hamburg.

Damien Hirst – Forever – 5: Courtesy of the artist and Paul Stolper Gallery, the 2013 acrylic on paper is signed in pencil by artist and available for sale at $4,600.

Nabil Nahas – Betty Boop: The acrylic on canvas painting was created in 2013.

Abu Dhabi Art’s Public Program is an integral part of the Abu Dhabi Art platform designed to generate ideas between some of the world’s most influential artists, collectors, writers and curators. The event is now open to the public and will run till November 23.

Art enthusiasts attend Frieze fair

Source: Arabian Business

Lovers of art have attended the annual Frieze Art Fair in London’s Regent’s Park.

Art enthusiasts prepare to enter the Frieze London Art Fair on October 18, 2013 in London, England. The annual Frieze Art Fair takes place in London’s Regent’s Park and runs from October 17 to 20. The exhibition comprises of the Frieze Masters exhibition and Frieze London which aim to showcase historic and established art as well as contemporary works.

The exhibition comprises of the Frieze Masters exhibition and Frieze London which aim to showcase historic and established art as well as contemporary works.