In a grand ceremony last week, the fifth Ithra Art Prize unveiled the winning artwork On (Aan in Arabic) by Iraqi-Finnish artist Adel Abidin, displaying his large-scale mural, which draws together threads of selective memory, the fallibility of history and lost oral storytelling traditions.
Selected from over 10,000 submissions by an independent jury, Abidin was awarded $100,000, in addition to the full funding required to bring his project to life, making this the largest art grant in the region. The work will now join Ithra’s permanent collection.
The unveiling took place at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, commonly known as Ithra, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, for the first time since the prize’s launch in 2017. To mark the occasion, all previous prize winners’ works are being exhibited around Ithra, paying homage to a programme that has grown from only supporting local talent to accepting submissions from across the Arab world.
Previous winners include Saudi’s Ayman Zedani (2018), Daniah Al Saleh (2019) and Fahad bin Naif (2020) and Tunisian-Ukrainian artist Nadia Kaabi-Linke (2021).
“We are delighted to unveil Adel Abidin’s work alongside the previous Ithra Art Prize winners, to showcase the leading contemporary artists who have been recognised by the Ithra Art Prize, and reflect on its increasing influence since its inception,” Ithra head of museums Farah Abushullaih says. “We're very proud to have him as part of our production.”
The winning work is based on a year’s worth of research into the Zanj rebellion of 869 AD against the Abbasid Caliphate in Basra in Iraq. The mural aims to question the accuracy of recorded history and tries to lend a voice to overlooked or unrecorded stories lost to time.
“Their aim of the rebellion was to free slaves and seek social justice, which interested me, so I dug deeper and noticed that most of what I was reading is all rewritten accounts,” Abidin tells The National, “based on the word of someone else, who heard the news from someone else – like Chinese whispers – and it would say ‘Aan,’ in Arabic, [roughly translating to ‘on the authority or account of…’] this or that person.
“It's an old way of oral storytelling and whenever I read a passage with Aan, I liked that it gives history this intangible, vulnerable aspect,” he adds. “I wanted to create a single piece that really represented the feeling I got when doing this research, this fragility of history.”
The resulting mural is made of thin Japanese rice paper layered with starchy glue, with a repeated stamp of the word Aan used to form a surreal, abstract image of Basra, with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flowing over the city based on scenes Abidin imagines while reading the stories.
Each stamp represents the different, even contradictory, versions of the rebellion’s history, leaving it open to the viewer to interpret and form their own opinion of what might have happened. The many layers of paper and overlapping stamps also allude to the depth of history and its many mysteries.
“Since everything hinged on that one Arabic work, my idea was to give every story or version I found the right amount of account in this new retelling I was recounting. To make me a new storyteller of the whole event,” Abidin says. “This resonates with the stress of the stamping – if you stamp hard you get a strong ink imprint or if used lightly it leaves only a trace.
“History is always alive, and what we are reading could all be fake and we wouldn’t know, because history is always written by the victors, so the only thing we read is one side of the story,” he adds. “We don't have anything written by the Zanj, so we will never know their side of history. I started thinking in their shoes, how they reacted and how I could start creating their own identity in the story.”
This medium is new to Abidin, who is usually known for his work with video, and he intends to explore the technique further in a larger body of work. To create the mural, he sought instruction on working with rice paper and even learnt to cook starch glue at home.
Using On as a starting point, his upcoming exhibition in Helsinki next March will expand on his research and use the stamping method to create new works, alongside sketches, sculptures and video pieces inspired by the text about the Zanj rebellion, contrasted with contemporary elements.
“It was a really big challenge but I went with it. It took a lot of time to get this technique right so I don’t want to let it go until I get everything I can out of it,” he says. “I've really fallen in love with this technique, even though it stressed me a lot in the beginning, but winning this prize really gave me the push to do it and pushed me outside my comfort zone, so I want to explore it further.”
In August, Ithra announced their open call for the sixth Ithra Art Prize – ending September 30 – which will be a special edition created in partnership with the Royal Commission of AlUla. Under the theme of The Art of The landscape, it seeks submissions for public artwork proposals that are site-specific to AlUla and that present interpretations of the region’s unique landscapes and natural heritage.
The winning piece will then be unveiled as a part of the AlUla Arts Festival on February 8, and will be exhibited in the AlUla Oasis for six weeks before joining Ithra’s permanent collection.
“Both Ithra and RCU have a long-standing commitment to providing enriching opportunities to artists in the region in order to propel our growing creative economy,” Ithra manager of programmes Noura Alzamil says.
“We are truly honoured to launch the sixth Ithra Art Prize in collaboration with RCU, encouraging artists to reflect Saudi Arabia’s outstanding natural heritage in their work and we look forward to uniting our efforts to support culture, art and creativity across the Kingdom and beyond, as part of our wider strategic partnership with RCU.”
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
FORSPOKEN
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Starfield
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Traces%20of%20Enayat
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Hamilton’s 2017
Australia - 2nd; China - 1st; Bahrain - 2nd; Russia - 4th; Spain - 1st; Monaco - 7th; Canada - 1st; Azerbaijan - 5th; Austria - 4th; Britain - 1st; Hungary - 4th; Belgium - 1st; Italy - 1st; Singapore - 1st; Malaysia - 2nd; Japan - 1st; United States - 1st; Mexico - 9th
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20PREMIERSHIP
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Mountain%20Boy
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