Dates revealed for second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah

Dates revealed for second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
The first biennale was titled “Awwal Bait” and it attracted more than 600,000 visitors. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 June 2024
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Dates revealed for second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah

Dates revealed for second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah

DUBAI: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s second Islamic Arts Biennale is scheduled to take place from January 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

The event is the first and only biennial dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilization.

The first biennale was titled “Awwal Bait” and attracted more than 600,000 visitors. The second event in 2025 will continue its exploration of themes by showcasing historical artifacts alongside contemporary art, including site-specific installations.

The directors of the second event are Amin Jaffer, Julian Raby, Abdulrahman Azzam and Muhannad Shono.

Jaffer, whose academic and curatorial work is focused on the meeting of European and Asian cultures, will return to his role as director of the Al-Thani Collection.

Raby, a scholar and former lecturer in Islamic art and architecture at the University of Oxford, also served on the curatorial team of the first Islamic Arts Biennale.

Azzam, an author and historian, served as senior adviser to the Al-Madar exhibition and forum during the first biennale. 

Saudi artist Shono, whose work deals with questions of spirituality and the role of imagination in shaping reality, will serve as contemporary art curator.

The expanded curatorial team includes Masa Al-Kutoubi, Rizwan Ahmad, Heather Ecker, Marika Sardar, Joanna Chevalier, Amina Diab, Sarah Al-Abdali, Bilal Badat, Faye Behbehani and Wen Wen.

With a total area of more than a 110,000 square meters, with 12,000 square meters of dedicated exhibition space, the biennale takes visitors on a journey through the objects, rituals, ideas and aesthetics that constitute Islamic arts in all its forms.

The Western Hajj Terminal has been repurposed as a cultural venue by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture.

The site holds deep significance for Muslims around the world, as millions of travelers pass through the airport each year to make the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Makkah.


Best and Worst: Saudi influencer, podcaster and entrepreneur Rae Joseph talks fashion and travel

Best and Worst: Saudi influencer, podcaster and entrepreneur Rae Joseph talks fashion and travel
Updated 05 December 2024
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Best and Worst: Saudi influencer, podcaster and entrepreneur Rae Joseph talks fashion and travel

Best and Worst: Saudi influencer, podcaster and entrepreneur Rae Joseph talks fashion and travel

DUBAI: The Saudi influencer, podcaster and entrepreneur discusses style and her favorite destinations. 

Best TV show/film you’ve ever seen?    

I don’t love anything too dark or too serious. I get too engaged, so if it’s something too heavy or emotional, it can really drag me down. So I avoid things that are intense or too dark. I enjoy shows that take me somewhere different. I love sitcoms like “Friends,” and shows like “Sex and the City.” I also like “Ugly Betty.” People make fun of me for that, but I loved it because it is just a happy show. It was a simple love story, enough to lift you up and keep the storyline going. Other than that, I do not follow a lot of series. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Worst TV show/film you’ve ever seen?   

Like I said, I really don’t like dark things. I know it’s some people’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely not mine. I don’t like those.  

Best personal style moment so far?    

Whenever I feel most in my element and feeling the look. I love vintage. I have my own big collection of vintage pieces, and I love mixing them with modern pieces and with pieces from local brands. I love creating that fusion that I feel truly represents who I am, and kind of shows the possibility of translating different cultures, different realms, different eras, into personal style. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Worst personal style moment?    

Let’s say my late teens. Well… maybe from 14 till my early 20s? I was very experimental — to a fault. I look at pictures and I’m, like, ‘What was I doing?’ I experimented with my makeup, with my hair — I dyed my hair so many different colors, so many different styles. But, honestly, as embarrassing as it was, I’m also grateful for that phase, because I feel like I got a lot of things out of my system. It helped me shape my own way of styling and enabled me to explore myself better without having any restrictions.  

Best accessory for a little black dress?    

Less is more. Adding just one simple piece of jewelry adds so much character. I love that kind of dynamic, and I think it says a lot about a person’s personal style. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Worst accessory for a little black dress?    

Just over-accessorizing. You want to keep it chic — elevated and refined. You don’t want to overwhelm the look. You allow the dress to shine, and when the dress shines, you shine as well. When you don’t overcrowd the look, you wear the outfit, the outfit doesn’t wear you. 

Best fashion trend of 2024?     

I’m not really a trends person. I’m aware of them, but I don’t necessarily implement them in my personal style. But, I really enjoy that it’s heading away from loud, in-your-face fashion — the prints, the logos, all that busy style — and people are now opting for a more sophisticated, understated look. Simpler looks allow you to show your taste better, in my opinion. I think Gen Z are a big part of that change. They are dressing more true to themselves. They see fashion as a way of personal expression, as opposed to just following what trends are out there.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Worst fashion trend of 2024?    

The worst thing is when you see people lost in their outfits, and you can tell it’s really them following whatever they read, whatever they saw on someone else, rather than personally expressing themselves. 

Best advice you’ve ever been given?  

With everyone having access to everyone’s life and what everyone’s doing with all these different websites and apps, I feel like there is a lot of, sometimes subconscious, pressure, where people see everyone’s journey and then get overwhelmed. But, at a relatively young age, someone told me, ‘Don’t worry. Everything happens to different people at different times. Everyone has a different journey.’ I think that allows me to be more content and live life more peacefully. And have healthier relationships. 

Worst advice you’ve ever been given?  

Any advice that pushes you to be something that isn’t who you are. Some people give advice where they’re suggesting that you change the core of who you are — your values, what you stand for. I always think that never works.  

Best book you’ve ever read?    

I really enjoy Iraqi author Ali Al-Wardi. I find him quite insightful, especially his writings about social dynamics and society. He was such a visionary that even when you read his works today, you find parallels with our society. They tell you a lot about people and who we are as societies and communities.  

Worst book you’ve ever read?    

If I don’t like a book, or I’m not connecting with it, I’ll just put it down.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Best thing to do when you’re feeling low?    

What I do if I am overwhelmed or feeling some kind of stress or anxiety take solo walks. I love just grabbing a cup of coffee then going on a walk by myself, and clearing my mind and allowing myself to settle. Even if you don’t resolve the things that are causing you anxiety, I think you'll return from the walk feeling a bit more settled and you can probably make better decisions and think more clearly. 

But if you mean you’re sad or depressed, then I think there's nothing better than spending time with someone you really trust — a family member or a very good friend. There’s so much power and human communication, as long as it’s with the right people. It could also be a therapist. Just spending time with someone who can understand, knows how to listen, and could give you helpful advice based on them knowing you.  

Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good?    

I think our brains sabotage us. We don’t allow ourselves to fully immerse ourselves in whatever is making us feel good. So I think you just have to try to relish it, and not think about other things. Just allow yourself to celebrate whatever it is that is making you feel good. Don’t take away from that. And make sure you share whatever is making you feel good with the right people. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Best holiday destination?    

My three favorite cities — which I will never, ever be bored of — are New York, Paris and Cairo. Those cities have personalities. If you walk on the street by yourself, you don’t feel alone. They have so much character.  

Worst holiday destination?    

You see some people that go to the same place every year and do the same thing, see the same people. They don’t explore or expand their horizon. I don’t think that’s ‘the worst’ — it’s just unwise. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Best subject at school?    

It makes me sound like a nerd, but I really enjoyed math. I really enjoyed equations and breaking them down and finding solutions.  

Worst subject at school?    

Physics is something that I just studied to pass my exams and get the grades. A lot of things did not add up for me. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rae Joseph (@theraejoseph)

Best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day?   

I feel like starting the day right — whatever that looks like for you … maybe working out, maybe meditation, maybe spending time with family — and starting relatively early, sets you up well. 

Worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day?    

Have a lot of distractions around. I think we became so addicted to checking our emails or messages, that it really can kill productivity. But we can try to control it as much as we can by limiting the distractions. 


Jude Law stars, but ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ lets kids take the lead 

Jude Law stars, but ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ lets kids take the lead 
Updated 05 December 2024
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Jude Law stars, but ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ lets kids take the lead 

Jude Law stars, but ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ lets kids take the lead 
  • Showrunners and stars discuss the latest Disney+ TV show 

DUBAI: “Skeleton Crew” — the latest TV series from the “Star Wars” universe to land on the Disney+ platform — ignores the lofty narrative goals of previous efforts like “Andor” and “The Mandalorian” to offer something altogether simpler — and more fun: a children’s adventure story. 

“I think there’s something beautiful in the eyes of the children being our eyes and seeing the world of ‘Star Wars’ in its complexity — the threat, the potential, the adventure, the potential for heroics, the potential for drama, the humor, the absurdity — through them. I just find that very refreshing, and I hope people embrace it,” series star Jude Law — who plays the mysterious cad Jod Na Nawood — said at a recent media roundtable at which Arab News was the sole regional representative. 

“Skeleton Crew” introduces four young troublemakers: Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), who secretly dreams of being a Jedi one day; Neel  (Robert Timothy Smith), Wim’s blue elephant-y best buddy and resident goody-two-shoes; Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), the rebellious, high-achieving daughter of a local official; and KB (Kyriana Kratter), Fern’s tech-whiz bestie. 

When Wim discovers a mysterious object buried in the woods close to their neighborhood, the four kids are whisked off on a galaxy-spanning adventure as they try to make their way back home, crossing paths with the likes of Law’s Jod. 

Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law) and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) in ‘Skeleton Crew.’ (Disney)

For 13-year-old Cabot-Conyers, Wim was easy to get a handle on; he said he has been fascinated by Jedis for as long as he can remember. 

“Wim really desperately wants an adventure, because he’s stuck in the suburbs, he’s not exactly happy with it. He wants to be a Jedi. The idea of that, to him, is so fascinating. And I thought the Jedi were so cool too. That’s what actually drew me to the ‘Star Wars’ universe, Luke Skywalker interested me so much, and playing that into my performances as Wim really, really helped,” he said. 

Series creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford have had the idea for “Skeleton Crew” for a while, they explained. 

“Ford and I both love ‘Star Wars,’” said Watts, “and felt like we had a story to tell that worked well in that universe should we ever be given the opportunity.” 

Ford added: “We had always talked about a Jude Law-like character named Jod — that’s probably why we thought of that name. And we couldn’t believe it, when we reached out to him, that no one has asked him to be in ‘Star Wars’ yet. We were the first ones to ask. And it turns out he’s a huge, huge ‘Star Wars’ fan. We gave him a little bit of a background of the project and his character, and he was all in.” 

Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) in ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.’ (Disney)

For Law, the original “Star Wars” movie, released in 1977, offered a new way of looking at entertainment. “I just have a recollection of the impact of this film on my life and on my family. No one had ever seen anything like it — the bravery of it, the vision and the realization of this incredibly imaginative universe.” 

Aside from George Lucas’ sci-fi franchise, “Skeleton Crew” also owes a debt to Steven Spielberg’s early Amblin Entertainment movies, with comparisons already being made to the classic 1985 coming-of-age movie “The Goonies.” 

“I don’t think we ever consciously thinking, ‘Oh, let’s make this like Amblin,” said Ford. “But what’s really amazing about the Amblin films — and a lot of the films from that time period — is that they weren’t afraid to let kids be the protagonists, and they didn’t talk down to the kids, and they weren’t afraid to put the kids in real danger. We grew up with those films and we knew we wanted to do something similar. I think it’s just always been in our DNA. When you’re trying to tell an authentic story about a group of kids, you know, you go back to the best films.” 

Kratter believes the show has something for everyone, age no bar.  

“‘Skeleton Crew’ is kind of like a perfect ‘on ramp’ for a new generation of ‘Star Wars’ fans,” she said. “And not only that, it’s also going to be great their parents, because of its Amblin style, and hopefully they can get a sense of nostalgia from watching the show and also get to see a bunch of Easter eggs in there.” 


Ed Sheeran to headline Abu Dhabi’s Offlimits Music Festival in 2025

Ed Sheeran to headline Abu Dhabi’s Offlimits Music Festival in 2025
Updated 04 December 2024
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Ed Sheeran to headline Abu Dhabi’s Offlimits Music Festival in 2025

Ed Sheeran to headline Abu Dhabi’s Offlimits Music Festival in 2025

DUBAI: British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is scheduled to headline Abu Dhabu’s Offlimits Music Festival on April 26, 2024.

The popular performer — known for his electrifying live performances and chart-topping tracks such as “Perfect,” “Shape of You,” and “Photograph” — will bring his biggest tracks and charisma to the Offlimits stage.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Etihad Park (@etihadpark)

Joining Sheeran will head a lineup of yet-to-be-announced international and regional talent. Whether you are a fan of pop, indie, hip-hop, or electronic, Offlimits aims to provide something for everyone.

The festival — brought to Abu Dhabi by Theory Eleven Entertainment, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and Miral — also promises to deliver “cutting-edge visuals and immersive art installations.”


 


Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark

Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark
Updated 04 December 2024
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Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark

Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark
  • Founded in 1948, Bundoo Khan Restaurant is a mainstay for politicians, celebrities, and residents of the port city
  • Eatery first gained prominence when its barbeque caught the eye of ex-president Ayub Khan at a local exhibition

KARACHI: For over seven decades, the Bundoo Khan Restaurant has been a culinary landmark in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, delighting generations of food lovers with its signature kebabs, sizzling chicken tikkas and crunchy parathas.
Founded in 1948 by Al Hajj Bundoo Khan, a migrant from Meerut in present day India, the restaurant began as a humble barbecue stall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, then known as Bandar Road, using family recipes passed down from a maternal uncle.
While the eatery was a hit from the beginning, it gained visibility when its innovative approach to grilling and marinating caught the eye of General Ayub Khan, who served as the president of Pakistan from 1958 until his resignation in 1969. Becoming a favorite of the president turned the small eatery into the talk of the town, and it began to draw large crowds from all walks of life.
“My father can be called the founder of barbecue [in Karachi],” Akber Bundoo Khan, the founder’s 62-year-old son, told Arab News. 
“No one knew how to make tikka [like him], how kebabs were made, how parathas were made or how halwa was made.”
Indeed, barbeque has become synonymous with the Bundoo Khan name in Karachi, cementing its reputation as a must-visit destination for the city’s residents and a gathering place for politicians, government officials, actors and singers.
“This brand has been around for 76 years,” said Waqar Mehmood, Bundoo Khan’s grandson who oversees a branch in the city’s Sindhi Muslim area.
“When we first set up an exhibition [during the first few decades], the first person to visit was [Pakistan’s former president] Ayub Khan who gave us the first prize and a gold medal for our barbecue.”
Mehmood spoke about visits to the restaurant by General Ayub Khan’s family, as well as Pakistan’s former first lady Ranaa Liaquat Ali Khan, ex-premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the now jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Legendary Pakistani actors like Muhammad Ali, Zeba and Waheed Murad were also loyal patrons and iconic singer Noor Jehan continued to request Bundoo Khan’s food until her last days before she passed away in 2000.
“Every day, I would personally take her double-spiced chicken tikka and six kebabs to the hospital,” he said.
The restaurant’s influence has also been immortalized in Pakistani music, with songs like Ahmed Rushdi’s 1954 hit “Bandar Road Se Keamari” and Mehdi Hassan’s 1977 track “Makhan Jesi Larki,” both mentioning the eatery.
Pakistani TV and film actor Behroze Sabzwari recalled childhood memories of visiting the original branch on MA Jinnah Road and meeting the restaurant’s founder, who passed away in 1987 at the age of 105.
“I lived and grew up in the area right behind the Bundoo Khan [Restaurant] in Jacob Line,” he told Arab News. “It wasn’t much, but you could get tikka for just 10 or 15 rupees [$0.05] and everything else as well. And believe me, the taste from those days of that halwa, that tikka, those kebabs, that paratha still lingers with me to this day.”
Asad Sohail, an engineer and regular customer, also recalled visiting Bundoo Khan as a child with his father and grandfather, saying dinner at the restaurant was a must after a night out at the movies.
“We used to come here with my grandfather, wearing shorts, when we were little. Then, as kids, we came with our father,” he said.
“Their barbecue, I haven’t tasted anything like it anywhere in Pakistan. It’s truly unique. Their kebabs are so tender, the marination is perfect, and the tikka, what can I say? It’s completely different from anything else.”
Today, while the restaurant keeps attracting new customers at all its branches in Karachi and across Pakistan as well as in Dubai and Madinah, the first branch on MA Jinnah Road has seen a decline in clients in recent years due to a rise in crime in the area. 
Still, Akber Bundoo Khan’s son insists the original location will never shut down.
“This is our asset,” he said. “The flavor that started here has spread all over the world. It’s because of this taste that we’re famous ... Our identity, our entire legacy, has been built from here.”


Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity

Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity
Updated 03 December 2024
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Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity

Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity
  • Masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture and creativity
  • Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric

RIYADH: Riyadh Art, one of the world’s largest public art programs, has unveiled four monumental public artworks with the launch of the Riyadh Metro, transforming stations into cultural landmarks.

At the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station, designed by the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, Alexander Calder’s “Janey Waney” takes center stage.

The lofty and colorful sculpture exemplifies Calder’s pioneering spirit in kinetic art, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors.

Nearby, Robert Indiana’s “LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside)” — one of the world’s most recognizable artworks — captivates visitors with its vibrant interplay of color and universal themes of connection and hope.

Together, these masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture and creativity.

At the Qasr Al-Hokm Downtown Metro Station, designed by the renowned architectural firm Snohetta, Ugo Rondinone’s “The Sun” makes a striking golden centerpiece, symbolizing energy and renewal.

Complementing this is Zaman Jassim’s “When the Moon is Full,” a reflective and poetic piece inspired by Riyadh’s cultural heritage.

“These permanent artworks embody our vision of transforming Riyadh into an open-air gallery that enriches the quality of life and fosters a deeper connection between people and art,” said architect Khalid Al-Hazani, executive director of Riyadh Art.

“By collaborating with some of the most creative minds of our time, we’re not just adding art to public spaces — we’re creating cultural landmarks that inspire and engage generations,” he added.

Al-Hazani told Arab News: “The beautiful thing is that there is a specialized program under Riyadh Art dedicated to installing artworks in all 85 stations that we’ve already selected, which will be produced and placed within the upcoming year.”

Led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Riyadh Art is championing cultural innovation and economic diversification, and positioning the Kingdom’s capital as a global center for contemporary art and culture.

Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric, displaying over 500 artworks by more than 500 local and international artists, hosting more than 6,000 community engagement activities, and engaging more than 6 million visitors.

As the program continues to expand, the number of artworks and initiatives is expected to grow significantly, fostering a sense of community, enriching the city’s identity, and elevating Riyadh’s standing as a global arts destination.