Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, and Mona Al Marri, director general of the Government of Dubai Media Office
Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, and Mona Al Marri, director general of the Government of Dubai Media Office

New public artworks to be shown across Dubai



Artists from across the world have been invited to contribute to a new initiative, which will increase the amount of public artwork on display in Dubai.

It is hoped that the three-year project, which is expected to feature 35 new artworks, and which was confirmed on Tuesday after the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) agreed a deal with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will help visitors and residents connect with the city.

Brand Dubai, the creative branch of GDMO, will lead this initiative, which will include murals, sculptures and mixed media installations. The public artworks will be displayed on bridges, tunnels, walking tracks, bus stops and other public areas.

"This is part of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision to turn Dubai into an open musuem, which reflects the culture and identity of the city through creative artwork and colorful narratives," Nehal Badri, director of Brand Dubai, told The National. "It is about showcasing the spirit of Dubai and supporting the arts."

The artworks – the first of which is scheduled to be unveiled in October – will be on display across the city. The names of the artists involved have not yet been announced.

"Through unique artworks, ranging from murals to installations, we seek to tap into Dubai's unique spirit, character and heritage, and in the process inspire greater engagement, inclusiveness and innovation in the community," said Badri. "These artistic creations will look at Dubai's culture and history, and its ambitions and aspirations from a fresh viewpoint."

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: “RTA is keen to ensure that all its projects incorporate an aesthetic dimension. The unique designs of the Shindagha bridge, which features an architectural arch in the shape of the symbol for infinity, the oval-shaped ‘Bridge of Tolerance’, and the Dubai Metro stations are examples of this."

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Mona Al Merri, director-general of the Government of Dubai Media Office, said: “The collaboration with RTA to launch beautification projects across the city is aligned with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to turn Dubai into an open-air museum that celebrates art, creativity and aesthetic excellence.

“We thank RTA for partnering with us to deliver this project and their commitment for this initiative that aims to revitalise public spaces in our city. Both our organisations bring significant capabilities to this partnership. By combining our strengths, we have a great opportunity to further enhance the artistic and cultural environment of Dubai.”

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Test

Director: S Sashikanth

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The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

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Rating: 3/5

Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
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The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

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