In several new exhibitions across the country, humanity's relationship with the environment is explored, from barren landscapes and concepts of nature, to our history alongside the animal world.
Here are four exhibitions to check out this weekend.
Nature's Pulse: Until November 4 at Leila Heller Gallery
A solo exhibition featuring the works of Chilean-Australian artist Maria Jose Benvenuto is a bold and vibrant showcase inspired by the landscapes of Australia.
Specifically drawing from the terrain of the North Head National Park in Manly, the setting of Benvenuto's creative space, the abstract paintings were created through intuition and instinct. They capture the energy of nature through contrasting colours, forms and dynamic compositions.
Monday to Friday, 10am-7pm; Saturdays, 11am-7pm; until November 4; Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Mirrors from the Sidewalk: Until November 10 at Tabari Artspace
Kuwaiti artist Alymamah Rashed’s new solo exhibition takes viewers on a surreal journey, exploring one of her overall body of work's central themes. Through large-scale watercolour and oil canvases, Rashed delves deep into bodily connections with specific environments, and explores elements that can guide, trigger or facilitate spiritual awakenings.
In this exhibition, Rashed focuses on the concept of the body immersing itself within the elements – water, earth and sky – while also depicting these stylised bodies through floral elements and the everyday objects she collects in Kuwait.
Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm; until November 10; the DIFC, Dubai
Fever: Until January 11 at Nika Project Space
Austrian artist Christiane Peschek’s solo exhibition explores the notion of being in a feverish dream where the human body is connected to concepts of the landscape and climate change.
Inspired by field research in the Liwa Desert, Peschek created a barren landscape within the human body. The gallery has been transformed to exist between these two elements, the body and the barren land where, for example, the gallery windows have been coloured orange to evoke both the UAE’s sunsets and the idea of being within one’s anatomy.
Monday to Saturday, 11am-7pm; until January 11; Al Khayat Avenue, Dubai
Three Tired Tigers: November 2 to March 16 at Jameel Arts Centre
Around 40 artists from more than 20 countries will be showcasing works that depict our relationship with animals at Jameel Arts Centre. Drawing from politics, history, economics and urbanism the works explore the playful and serious human-animal relationships across the world.
Spanning five galleries, the exhibition immerses visitors to consider the urban habitats animals have come to occupy, from zoos to museums and street and public squares, the works reveal how animals have survived and also thrived through centuries of human classification and control.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-8pm; Fridays, noon-8pm, closed Tuesdays; Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Match info
Wolves 0
Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')
Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
