Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Pioneering Lebanese abstract artist enters spotlight
From the meditative geometry of Nima Nabavi to the urban excavations of Abdullah Al Othman and the raw, expressive gestures of Nadia Saikali – the featured exhibitions are dissimilar in form but they share a common impulse. They slow us down, prompt us to look closer and question what we take for granted.
Sunrise at the Vortex at The Third Line
In Sunrise at the Vortex, Nima Nabavi continues his exploration of geometry as both discipline and meditation. The centrepiece of the show is a monumental, hand-drawn work that was meticulously composed over the course of a year. The work showcases Nabavi's dedication to precision and scale. Its complex patterning feels almost architectural while also alluding to the tenets and forms of sacred geometry.
The smaller works in the exhibition crafted using a plotter offer a contrasting sense of mechanical control, yet still bear Nabavi's distinctive aesthetic logic. Together, the pieces speak to the tension between the human-hand and machine, intention and repetition.
Monday to Sunday, 11am-7pm; until July 27, The Third Line, Dubai
Structural Syntax at Iris Projects
Structural Syntax is Abdullah Al Othman's first solo exhibition in the UAE, and it shows his penchant for revealing the hidden language of cities. The Saudi artist beckons towards billboards, signages and architectural elements to highlight the cultural and political residues that are easily overlooked.
In Anticipation, he strips a billboard of its message, leaving only structure and light. Geometric Quotation revisits the construction of Al Maktoum Bridge as a moment of vision and becoming. From Riyadh to Dubai and beyond, his works decode the city not as backdrop, but as a living archive.
Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm; until June 27; Iris Projects, Abu Dhabi
Nadia Saikali and Her Contemporaries at Maraya Art Centre
A pioneering figure of abstract art in the region, Nadia Saikali's spotlight is perhaps long overdue. The Lebanese artist's work ranges across a variety of mediums and styles, despite them often veering towards abstraction.
From her early gestural work to the line-based paintings and sprawling landscape canvases in the later stages of her career, Saikali's work is at the heart of the show at Sharjah's Maraya Art Centre, which is now in its final month. Yet, the exhibition – co-organised with the Barjeel Art Foundation – opens up to feature works by her contemporaries, all of whom are women.
The artists come from across the Arab world, but they all spent time reducing work in Beirut during the 1960s and 1970s. As such, Beirut becomes the star of the exhibition, showing how the city was a regional hub for artists.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
4 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Today's Moon Mood: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Moon in Aquarius Theme: Emotionally detached… but in a 'save-the-world' kind of way. Today's Moon in Aquarius is giving main character at a protest-meets-cool kid in the group chat energy. You might feel like zooming out from personal drama to focus on the bigger picture — or suddenly craving space from anyone who's too clingy, controlling, or just... annoying. What You Might Feel: – Emotionally aloof but socially curious – Hyperaware of what feels outdated in your life (including people) – A strong urge to be weird on purpose — lean in Celestial Tea: The Moon is forming a friendly trine with Mercury, which means your brain and your feelings are (for once) on the same team. Conversations flow. Ideas spark. Group chats thrive. Self-Care Rx: – Unfollow someone who gives you the ick – Try something totally random just because it feels right (roller skates, new podcast, cold brew + oat milk experiment?) – Text that one friend who always gets your offbeat humor Mood Boost Mantra: "I honor what makes me different. That's where my magic lives." Best Signs for Today's Chaos: Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius — the squad you want when you're feeling revolutionary and a little rebellious. Today's Caution Light: Don't ghost your feelings too hard. It's cool to be chill — just don't freeze out your own heart. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! This article was previously published on omanmoments. To see the original article, click here Follow us on our Whatsapp channel for latest news mailto:?subject=Your friend advice you to read this article from e7awi&body=Hello، %0D%0AYour friend sent you this letter and advises you to read this article/news, which is expected to obtain admire :%0D%0A e7awi : ARTICLE_LABLE %0D%0A on URL: bitlyURL %0D%0A %0D%0A Thank you! %0D%0A e7awi Team %0D%0A %0D%0A ------------------------- %0D%0A To insure reciving our email add this email. %0D%0A noreply@ to your contacts list. %0D%0A %0D%0A © 2025 - e7awi %0D%0A mailto:info@ request on site: e7awi&body=%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A -----------------------------------------------------------%0D%0A%0D%0A This message belongs to article: Today's Moon Mood: Saturday, August 2, 2025%0D%0Aon URL: bitlyURL %0D%0A%0D%0A
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Have you sipped on safcha, the Emirati twist on matcha yet?
For matcha lovers and those who want to try it without worrying about sleepless nights, a new caffeine-free alternative has emerged from the UAE: safcha. Saaf Cafe, an Emirati concept inspired by the palm tree, a national symbol of heritage and identity, now serves the drink made from dried palm fronds. Safcha mimics the properties of matcha — a heavy pour of antioxidants and nutrients — sans the caffeine. Like the Japanese tea, the drink is green, and its production — the leaves are carefully selected, steamed, dried, and stone-ground into a fine powder — inspired by its overseas counterpart. The name itself blends the words 'saaf', which is Arabic for palm fronds, and matcha. It is ideal for those looking for a calming drink or an earthy local flavour. Mohammed Al Badwawi, brother of the founder of Saaf Cafe, told KT LUXE: 'During our participation in an exhibition in Saudi Arabia, we discovered a new product called safcha. We were immediately drawn to it because it perfectly aligns with our vision of offering products made from the palm tree.' By promoting this healthy beverage, the cafe hopes to attract the younger generation by providing food and juices that align with modern health trends, such as caffeine-free coffee alternatives similar to matcha. 'We've always aimed to offer choices that suit everyone, including those who are sensitive to caffeine,' Al Badwawi added. Now, safcha has become a staple on the extensive cafe menu. Hatta effect Saaf Cafe was established in 2024 in Hatta, and its name pays tribute to the natural environment and cultural heritage of the mountainous Hatta region. It also seeks to promote the culture of using dates by presenting them in various forms — from coffee infused with date extract, priced at Dh30, to other beverages such as 'Basr Juice' (made from fresh dates), Spanish Latte with dates, and V60 with dates. The menu also includes dishes like date pizza, date tiramisu, and rutab (semi-ripe dates) cheesecake, with prices ranging from Dh15 to Dh45. Al Badwawi explained: 'We wanted everything to be inspired by Hatta, from the name to the ingredients.' Saaf Cafe is not just a business project; it is a contribution to the community. We want people to see the palm tree not just as a symbol but also as a source of nourishment, wellness, and inspiration" Mohammed Al Badwawi In addition to beverages and desserts flavoured with dates, the cafe also offers personal care products such as date oil for hair, facial serum, eyelash oil, body oil, and date patches for eyes, feet, and joints. 'Saaf Cafe is not just a business project; it is a contribution to the community. We want people to see the palm tree not just as a symbol but also as a source of nourishment, wellness, and inspiration,' he said. The cafe was founded by Ali Al Badwawi, a retired government employee, former FIFA referee, and former member of the UAE Football Association. Al Badwawi views the project as a tribute to Emirati heritage. With more than 150 palm trees on the family farm, the Al Badwawi estate supplies the dates used to produce the beverages and food items served at the cafe. More than a cafe It's usually location that draws a crowd, but in the case of this cafe, it was the site of operation that proved to be the challenge. (It is located inside Dubai Municipality's Al Wadi Park at Hatta.) However, a collaboration with the local municipality helped turn the cafe into a visitor attraction. 'It was difficult to design a marketing plan that would draw people into the park to visit the cafe, but the municipality cooperated by placing a sign for the cafe inside the park,' he said. The venue functions as both a cafe and a restaurant, featuring two floors and an outdoor space. It was established to serve local products. The cafe blends traditional and modern atmospheres, and offers a unique dining experience suitable for all ages, including traditional breakfasts and other meals. Services include dine-in, online ordering, and soon, a new branch in Mirdif, Dubai. The cafe also organises events and initiatives aligned with local culture, such as dedicating special hours for only women, where people can connect over snacks and a cup of safcha.
The National
13 hours ago
- The National
Alba Street review: Japanese burgers and sophisticated sushi cater to the whole family
Feeding teenagers who turn their noses up at anything green or raw is a challenge. A big challenge when eating out. Choosing a place with plenty of backup options is a must. That's why a school holiday family outing to Dubai Mall 's Social Distrikt felt like a promising way to please everyone. At Alba Street, which has a menu full of Japanese-inspired bites and familiar comfort food, my 13-year-old twins could stick to burgers, fries and ice cream, while the grown-ups branched out. Where to sit and what to expect Social Distrikt opened in April. The indoor food hall and entertainment hub in the Fountain Views area of Dubai Mall has an open layout and bold graffiti-style art, giving the space energy and a youthful vibe. Its mix of global cuisines makes it ideal for adventurous eaters and choosy teenagers alike. The hall is quiet when we arrive. Alba Street, a 40-seat counter-service outlet with an izakaya-style open kitchen, sits neatly within the venue. A spin-off from Alba Restaurant in Downtown Dubai, it promises a casual-yet-refined take on Japanese street food. That's not a pitch that works on my fussy kids, so I have sold it to them as a burger-and-fries joint. We grab a table near the service hatch and settle in. The menu Alba Street reimagines its parent restaurant's menu with a fun, accessible twist. Created by chef Chistyakov Vladimir, the offering ranges from shareable snacks to hearty combos. There's an extensive selection of nigiri, sashimi, onigiri and hand rolls with ingredients such as scallop, eel, king crab and A5 Wagyu beef. For burger fans, like my two, standout options include the Wagyu kimchi burger and the spicy yuzu chilli chicken burger, both available in cheekily named combos: Grendizer and Cheat Day. Desserts follow the same East-meets-West theme, incorporating matcha and miso, while house-made drinks such as milk oolong mango lemonade and pink sakura water add a playful touch. I had prechecked the menu, so there are no surprises when the girls both order the Grendizer Power Pack combo (Dh115): Wagyu kimchi burger, fries, sauce and a drink. Everything comes in takeaway-style cardboard packaging, just how they like it. The burgers, packed with umami flavours and melted cheese, pass the picky test, even the spicy house-fermented kimchi. The hit of the meal, however, is the delicious home-made cherry almond lemonade. It vanishes in a few gulps. My wife opts for the Geisha Cheat Day combo (Dh95), sticking with a yuzu chilli chicken burger and fries. It's a safe option and goes down a treat. The fried chicken has a crispy crunch and, glazed in tangy yuzu chilli sauce and topped with shredded cabbage and creamy Japanese mayo, has an abundance of flavour. I'm not usually a sushi kind of guy, but I'm here for real Japanese flavours. Though starters include kale salad (Dh35), broken cucumber (Dh25) and popcorn shrimp (Dh45), I skip them and head straight for the sushi-style dishes. My selection includes salmon belly sashimi (Dh55) and tuna akami onigiri (Dh55). Served with soy sauce, both showcase the full range of Japanese flavours – sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty. The salmon belly is rich and buttery, and works well when dipped in soy sauce, delivering an umami taste. The tuna onigiri has a fresh, meaty texture with a well-balanced salt and seaweed taste. Wasabi dip adds another dimension, providing a kick to the taste buds. To order or not to order The king crab handroll (Dh90) is the pick of the bunch. It's a sweet, salty, sea-scented bite with excellent contrast provided by the rice, seaweed and veggies. But it was disappointing – not least for the girls – not to be able to sample dessert. The soft matcha ice cream (Dh25) had not been delivered on time by the supplier for our lunch outing. The other desert option, miso Snickers (Dh30) was also unavailable, so we had to go without. Save or splurge There's plenty of range when it comes to pricing, but the most expensive options are probably worth it if sharing. A 12-piece sashimi box with salmon, yellowtail, tuna and eel is Dh175 and an eight-piece nigiri box comes in at Dh165. Other shareable options include a four-piece handroll box (Dh150), two-piece onigiri set (Dh150), and 16-piece maki roll box (Dh135) with avo maki, California crunch, salmon avo and spicy tuna. For smaller appetites, individual items start from Dh35, with salmon the most affordable across formats. The verdict Alba Street pulls off a tricky balance: comfort food for hesitant teenagers and bold, high-quality Japanese street food for grown-up palates in a cool and casual setting. But with no guarantee dessert will show up, the sweet-toothed might leave with cravings still intact. Alba Street at Dubai Mall's Social Distrikt is open from 11am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and 11am to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Reservations can be made by calling 058 527 8771.
