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Gulf Today
2 days ago
- General
- Gulf Today
Hannan Arshad wins The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025
Under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), has announced the winning project for The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025. The winner of the thirteenth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award is Hannan Arshad, under the mentorship of Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Christianna Bonin. Hannan is a UAE-based Indian artist and graphic designer, who explores storytelling through materials, fabrication and historical research. Focused on political dialogue and cultural memory, her work includes installation, print and digital media, film and photography. Hannan Arshad is inspired by Mughal history. Her interest in Mughal history and materiality began during visits to the Raza Library in Rampur and the Bada Imambara in Lucknow, in India. It later developed into Safekeeping Stories during her senior studio with Assistant Professor Amparo Baquerizas Carreras, at AUS. The project has since expanded to encompass larger sculptural and architectural references along with imagery and text, reimagining the past as something tactile, participatory, and alive. Safekeeping Stories is an interactive installation that aims to preserve Mughal architectural and cultural knowledge. The artist recreates traditional Lakhori bricks, alongside nearly-forgotten brick and mortar Mughal techniques, that incorporate edible materials. Each brick is etched with the artist's own interpretation of Mughal miniature paintings, which transforms a historical building block into a medium for visual and written archiving. The bricks are arranged to resemble a library, inviting viewers to engage with history by physically removing each 'book' from the structure. Inspired by the urgent need to protect cultural heritage from political and environmental threats, the project highlights the contemporary relevance of historic building practices. The artist plans to expand the installation and collaborate with communities in the UAE and beyond, using art to spark conversations around memory, identity, and preservation. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder, ADMAF and Abu Dhabi Festival, said: 'We congratulate Hannan Arshad, the winner of the Award, now in its thirteenth year, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Christianna Bonin from the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University of Sharjah. We commend her focus through her winning work Safekeeping Stories, on documenting the rich history of human civilisations, and her dedication to studying and preserving endangered cultural and architectural knowledge, and attempting to revive it through environmentally and nature-friendly building practices.' Executive Director of The NYUAD Art Gallery and the University's Chief Curator, Maya Allison, said that 'Safekeeping Stories exemplifies the power of art to bridge memory, place, and material tradition. At the NYUAD Art Gallery, we are committed to nurturing emerging artists through mentorship and resources that help bring ambitious ideas to life. This installation is a poignant response to cultural loss, and a compelling example of how historical narratives can be reimagined through contemporary public art.' Bada Imambara, Lucknow, India. The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award Director Emily Doherty said: 'We couldn't be more delighted to welcome Hannan Arshad as winner of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025. The Selection Committee was captivated by her beautiful and thoughtful work. Hannan now enters the production part of her artistic journey with the full support of the professional curatorial, technical, and logistics teams at the NYUAD Art Gallery, along with her nominated mentor, Dr. Christianna Bonin, at AUS. We are looking forward to unveiling Safekeeping Stories at the entrance to Abu Dhabi Art in November this year.' Jeanne-Claude (left) and Christo. The selection committee included Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo; Maya Allison; Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art; Azza Al Qubaisi, Emirati jewellery artist, product designer and sculptor; Awam Amkpa, Dean of Arts and Humanities and Professor of Drama, Social and Cultural Analysis at NYUAD; and guest juror Nadine Maalouf, Vice Chairwoman of Design Council Abu Dhabi and Advisory Committee Member of the NYUAD Art Gallery. Running annually since 2013 under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, presented by NYUAD in partnership with ADMAF and produced in collaboration with NYUAD Gallery, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award serves as a launch pad for artists across the Emirates. It encourages new artwork and offers winners insight into professional life as an artist, from commission to exhibition. The programme is open to UAE-based students and recent graduates. Raza Library, Rampur, India. Established in 2014, the NYUAD Art Gallery is among the only university galleries in the region with a programme of scholarly and experimental museum exhibitions. A book publication programme and an auxiliary venue, the Project Space, which is an exhibition laboratory for UAE-based artists and curators, are also among its core initiatives. For half a century, internationally acclaimed artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude created highly celebrated works of art around the world. Together, they changed the concept of 'public art' by creating temporary works that were transitory by design. They were artists noted for their large-scale, site-specific environmental installations. They refused grants, scholarships, donations or public money; they financed their work through the sale of their own artwork. Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2009 and Christo moved on in 2020. Founded in 1996, ADMAF is one of the first cultural organisations in the Arabian Gulf. Pioneering new artistic practices, it seeks to deepen global cross-cultural dialogue and inspire a renewed interest in the creativity of the UAE and Arab world, in partnership with leading national and international institutions. The Abu Dhabi Festival hosts year-round youth platforms and community programmes.
Mid East Info
08-06-2025
- General
- Mid East Info
AUS leads critical conversations about the future of design education - Middle East Business News and Information
Design education must prepare students to be risk-takers with the skills to work flexibly across disciplines, both independently and collaboratively, in order to ensure their future success, according to a panel of educators, students, alumni and design professionals organized by the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS). The panel met in celebration of AUS' 25th anniversary, as part of a symposium series focused on exploring the future of design education through critical conversations with students, alumni and the professional community. The series was organized by CAAD faculty members Kevin Mitchell, Professor of Architecture; Hala Al-Ani, Assistant Professor of Art and Design; and Dr. John Montague, Associate Professor of Architecture. Following the success of the first symposium in the series, CAAD at 25: Taking Stock, hosted at AUS on January 28, a new panel was assembled for part two—CAAD at 25: Preparing for the Future. Held at Art Jameel on March 18, the event included two panel sessions focused on how design education should evolve and transform to ensure that CAAD continues to positively impact the arts, design and culture in the UAE and beyond. Event moderator Professor Mitchell stressed the important role that the symposium series plays in critically examining the ways in which CAAD can respond to future challenges. 'During the past 25 years, AUS and CAAD have made a significant contribution to design through the accomplishments of students, faculty and alumni. Developing and sustaining rigorous design programs is challenging, and the CAAD at 25 symposium series provides an opportunity to have substantive conversations about how we can navigate the future and continue to ensure that CAAD graduates can communicate clearly, think critically and solve problems creatively,' said Professor Mitchell. During the first panel session, Leila Binbrek, Director of the National Pavilion UAE, joined CAAD alumni Pallavi Dean (Founder and Creative Director, Roar), Ahmed Noor (content and creative director) and Ahmed Khadier (Co-Founder and Principal in Charge, Pragma) to discuss how their education had prepared them for their careers. Addressing the role that education plays in facilitating success, they considered the role that education should play in preparing students for taking risks, working independently and collaborating with colleagues across disciplines. The panel discussed the balance between addressing the fundamental skills and knowledge and fostering an independent approach to design work within studio-based degree programs. A second panel session invited current CAAD students Marianne Breidy, Nujud Alhusain, Khaled Zaher and Omar Darwish to join the members of the first panel to engage in a dialogue about design education. After reflecting on their own experiences, the students addressed the tensions between a formal curriculum and the flexibility to pursue areas of personal and professional interest. The students also discussed the value of breadth through courses beyond their chosen major and the benefit of addressing issues that are locally and regionally relevant to the design professions. The panel debated questions related to career preparation, professional competence at the time of graduation, and the importance of the fundamentals of design.
Sharjah 24
01-06-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Bodour Al Qasimi inaugurates 'Six Degrees' Exhibition
Diverse academic disciplines on display The exhibition features projects from a wide range of CAAD programs, including architecture, interior design, design management, multimedia design, visual communication, and urban planning. It provides a vital platform for connecting students with representatives from the UAE's design and creative sectors. A culmination of academic growth Dr Varkki Pallathucheril, Dean of College of Architecture, Art and Design) CAAD,) emphasised that the exhibition represents the culmination of each student's academic journey, marked by creative exploration, studio work, and professional development. Bridging education and industry His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTI Park, highlighted the park's role in hosting the exhibition, underlining its importance in promoting innovation and supporting young designers and architects. He noted that the event demonstrates a commitment to fostering sustainable, human-centered solutions through the collaboration of academia and industry. Honouring academic excellence As part of the event, CAAD held its annual awards ceremony, recognising 28 exceptional students and faculty members for academic excellence, creativity, leadership, and service to the AUS community. Featuring Dr Najat Makki This year's edition also includes a special showcase by pioneering Emirati artist Dr Najat Makki, who is the 2024–2025 artist-in-residence at AUS. Her selected works, developed during her residency, are featured as a central part of the exhibition, which continues until June 8.
Arab Times
16-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
ALSAYER Group Signs Two Strategic Agreements to Advance Sustainability with the Kuwait Green Building Council and the College of Architecture at Kuwait University
KUWAIT CITY, Apr 16: As part of its unwavering commitment to sustainable development and promoting green building practices in Kuwait, ALSAYER International Trading General and Contracting Co. announced the signing of two strategic agreements. The first is with the Kuwait Green Building Council (KGBC), under which the Group joins as a Platinum Member for the year 2025 and the second is with the College of Architecture at Kuwait University to train students under the 'GSAS Certified Green Professional Program.' The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding with the Kuwait Green Building Council was held at the ALSAYER Group headquarters, in the presence of Mr. Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer, CEO of the Group; Mr. Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer, Executive Board Member& Chairman of Sustainability Committee; Mr. Khaled Khudair Al-Meshaan, Chairman of the Kuwait Green Building Council and Dr. Omar Mohammed Khattab, Assistant Dean of the College of Architecture at Kuwait University along with a large number of attendees. Partnership Towards a More Sustainable Built Environment The partnership with the Kuwait Green Building Council aims to support and promote sustainable building practices in the country, raise community awareness on the importance of sustainability in the urban sector, and implement training programs and field initiatives that help build qualified local capacities for this transformation. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer stated: "At ALSAYER Group, sustainability is at the heart of our corporate strategy. Joining the Kuwait Green Building Council is a natural extension of our commitment to creating a work environment and society that is more aware of its environmental responsibilities. We believe that promoting green building concepts in Kuwait is the foundation for a more sustainable urban future, and we call on all stakeholders in both public and private sectors to adopt this responsible and forward-thinking approach." In turn, Mr. Khaled Khudair Al-Meshaan welcomed ALSAYER Group's membership, stating: "We highly value this strategic cooperation that reinforces the importance of impactful partnerships between the private sector and civil society. It enhances our national potential to achieve sustainability goals and strengthen sustainable construction practices across Kuwait. The Kuwait Green Building Council was officially established in 2017 and is part of a global network of over 75 Green Building Councils operating under the World Green Building Council. Through its initiatives and strategic partnerships, the Council aims to foster a more sustainable built environment that enhances quality of life and safeguards future generations." Empowering National Talent in Green Building As part of its commitment to academic empowerment and capacity building, ALSAYER Group signed a cooperation agreement with the College of Architecture at Kuwait University. The agreement aims to train students in the GSAS Certified Green Professional Program and provide them with field visits to green building projects certified by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027. This initiative represents a significant step in reinforcing the role of higher education in advancing the national shift towards more efficient and sustainable built environments, by equipping students with practical knowledge and firsthand experience in one of the region's most recognized green building certification systems. A Strategic Commitment to Sustainability ALSAYER Group partnerships reflect the Group's firm commitment to embedding sustainability principles across all its business operations. The Group's sustainability strategy is built around four main pillars: Environment, Economy, Society, and Quality of Life. Through these pillars, ALSAYER aims to reduce environmental impact, enhance social responsibility and adopt more efficient operational practices. These efforts are fully aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, Kuwait Vision 2035and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
