A Day in the Life allows you to step into the shoes of a UAE resident to experience a typical 24 hours in their work and home life
Abu Dhabi Art project head Alanood Al Hammadi juggles operations for one of the region’s largest cultural gatherings with being a mother.
In the run-up to the international art fair’s 15th anniversary edition, running from November 22 to 26, her days are busier and longer than usual at the venue, Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Ms Al Hammadi, 36, who has a bachelor’s degree in art and design and a master’s in museum studies, joined the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi 13 years ago.
She takes The National through her day, which can range from brand development to the pandemic-created virtual art fair, which still draws long-distance art lovers.
6.15am: Children into action
As a mother of girls aged eight and three, and a one-year-old boy, mornings are busy.
“We get my eldest daughter ready for school. I have a bus pick her up, my other daughter I take to nursery some days,” says Ms Al Hammadi, who lives 20 minutes from the Saadiyat venue office and is expecting her fourth child in January.
7.30am: Calm before colleagues
Ms Al Hammadi arrives before her staff at Manarat Al Saadiyat, but sometimes she heads to DCT head office at Nation Towers.
“Usually my day gets crazier the minute it hits 9am, so it’s my quiet time to have my sandwich breakfast, check emails and review content. Sometimes I have to deliver a report in terms of media coverage, visitor numbers, or major updates on partners or logistics.”
Planning for the art fair begins well in advance and includes educational and other programmes in the run-up.
“Obviously my day three weeks before is different to ones throughout the year,” she says.
As a parent, Ms Al Hammadi recognises the need to cater to families.
“People can drop their children at the art studio,” she says. “We all know how attached they are to their technology, so it’s good to engage kids with art and hands-on activities.”
9am: Team time
Ms Al Hammadi joined the Abu Dhabi Art team in 2011, taking her current role six years ago.
She started in exhibitor relations, working closely with participating galleries. This year more than 90 galleries from 31 countries, including Latin America and Hong Kong, are attending, with sustainability and female Arab artists as areas of focus.
“It’s the most diverse fair we’ve had.”
Three team members report to Ms Al Hammadi, handling exhibitor relations, community partners, and digital projects, websites and apps.
“Ideally, this is the time we sit together, check if they have concerns or need direction,” she says.
Ms Al Hammadi’s gallery and project unit works closely with the event programme unit, and patrons and collectors staff who handle VIPs and invitations detailing available artworks.
11.30am: Making an entrance
Some visitors still require a physical ticket so Ms Al Hammadi tests ticketing hardware for the free-entry event.
“We switched to digital tickets but we have the print option for those not tech savvy, or who want the traditional way.”
She also work with procurement staff, ensuring teams, such as suppliers and contractors building booths, are hired in time.
Thousands of visitors attend the fair, from wealthy collectors to residents looking to enhance a wall.
It is a chance for emerging artists to shine and international galleries to exhibit alongside a global programme of talks and performances.
“One of the objectives of Abu Dhabi Art is educational,” she says. “Before any museum opened on Saadiyat, we were that platform for people and schools to visit to be introduced to modern contemporary art.”
Ms Al Hammadi also casts an eye over the Art+Tech programme led by acclaimed Emirati artist Nujoom Alghanem.
“A lot of people see art as niche, maybe not for them. With these educational programmes we say: ‘Everyone is welcome. It’s OK not to understand all art …' I still don’t understand some.”
12pm: Desk dining
With time precious, the project head has a “healthy salad” at her desk while pondering community project announcements.
Among them is the winner of the Pavilion Prize, a design competition for architecture students.
“We build that at the fair as a welcome area for our visitors.”
Ms Hammadi is hands-on with many operational aspects, including traffic management and organising staff passes for 2,000 people working across the event.
“We’re introducing a new entrance, also a new parking location to accommodate more visitors, as last year our numbers were really high.”
1pm: Canvas opinions
Ms Al Hammadi consults with colleagues, examining anything from signage details to visitor flow.
“There is always room for improvement,” she says. “I put myself in the shoes of visitors.
“We realise the biggest communication comes through word of mouth or social media, so we make sure we are putting enough information out there.”
In the Year of Sustainability with Cop28 around the corner, the fair includes sustainable art projects.
“Art is evolving. Every year I get surprised by the latest trend.”
2pm: Content catch-up
Time to review videography plans for the opening day with the social media agency.
“We want to make sure we’re shooting behind the scenes [and] interviews with some artists because many creators and galleries aren’t based in the UAE, so that’s our opportunity.
“We make sure we have a schedule, all interviews are blocked and locked, to capture as much content as possible.”
That could include the next big collectable or works from 30-plus UAE artists, including citizens and residents.
Ms Al Hammadi says the show does not just feature “multimillion-dollar art”, insisting: “There is a different price point for everyone.
“If you’re buying for the first time, we’re happy to give an introduction: how to buy art, where to start.”
4pm: A brush with budgets
Final meetings include one discussing budget and team updates on attending artists and galleries.
“I always need to be on top of these – there can be slight changes so I need to make sure this is reflected everywhere.”
That includes any unusual installations – the 2013 highlight comprised a tower of chairs.
“We never say no, even to the most bizarre,” she says. “One year we had giant cockroaches. At the end of the day, it is a form of expression … not everything has to be pretty.”
5pm – Ship shape
Most art has already been shipped by air or sea from as far as Chile and is in art handler storage space.
“We give a deadline – they need to make sure it’s all shipped before the end of October so it arrives on time, ready to bring and start installing.” says Ms Al Hammadi.
“We had some incidents before, artworks shipped into the wrong location or not here on time. We support as much as possible.”
Galleries have submitted lists of works they’re bringing and their booth plan.
Once contractors begin building the exhibition spaces, checks ensure reality reflects the sketches.
Ms Al Hammadi also inspects the progress of a new area to accommodate more galleries.
“We are building a nice fancy tent this year in the garden space,” she explains.
7-7.30pm: Late finish
Ms Al Hammadi normally leaves the office at 3.30pm for a kangoo jump workout or horse riding before heading home to the children.
But with the event approaching, paperwork and more emails demand extra hours after most colleagues have left.
“I have a work-life balance as much as possible the rest of the year,” she says. “I have some snacks until I arrive home for dinner with my family.”
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Company%20Profile
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Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
Greatest Royal Rumble results
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AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
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Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
