ARTomatic Life

Today is not the best day to blog. But then somethings need to be done even when there is no time. A blog is a commitment. Just like the plants in your balcony garden. You need to water it as required. Perhaps for the garden you can always hire help but your blog has to endure you just as you are. Caught between two write up deadlines, a drive after that for today's still life art workshop… and some extra baking for my soon-to-visit sister… today is a bit hectic. But I have taken a break from studies and skipped the home chores because of lack of interest in them as today is so beautiful to be wasted in the mundane.

This week was awesome.

Met 5 resident Indian artists at the Art Hub. They will exhibit their works in December. Can't wait to see their finished works that will show for a month starting December 6. Will post pictures after the event opens. Last night's visit was a casual one. It was nice to catch up with compatriots who are artists… and learn first hand about what they do.

Among the firsts… it was my first time at the outlet mall earlier this week. Between two appointments sometimes a mall visit almost becomes a necessary pit stop… for a bite or coffee. That is how I happened to go to this one. Here I stumbled upon a machu pichcu-inspired amazing handcraft store run by a couple from Columbia.

Bought these handmade earrings for sister… who also loves artsy accessories

They were not keen on being clicked and allowed just one picture of the store… here is that one. This store reminds one of Global Village… time to go there too... soon!

Though the promotion was on for a while… it was for the first time that I realised twofour54 registered freelancers get a discount in all outlets at Park Rotana… That called for a quick celebration.

This dessert from Teatro in Park Rotana TwoFour54 is just as amazing as it looks. Called Baked Hawaiian this is a mix of coconut and mango ice-cream, covered with toasted meringue and served with the sauce of lilikoi coulis [That is passion fruit's not-so-passionate name!]

I have not been experimental with my winter wardrobe though I have plenty of artsy ideas. Also, I have no clue what fall fashion is like at the runways… but in Dubai, boots have been a staple each time the weather gets anywhere near winters. So I did my winter-cleaning cum space-finding exercise... and got some essentials out. And now that I have a personal stylist… the homegrown one… I mean my own baby sister who is soon-to-graduate in fashion from India's popular NIFT… she is having a ball telling me off sweetly… what to knockoff and what to keep. I keep her busy doing what she is best at… cos it is only making me look good ;).

Open toes go underground while boots are out… How I love the idea of winters any season :p… so many options to stay stylishly well-covered.

Eating ice-cream in winters is every Delhite's favourite indulgence… but try this to-die-for Häagen Dazs hot chocolate fondue with ice-cream scoops, fruits and other condiments. Please do not have a heavy meal before this huge dessert… I had to take a forced nap to get over the sweetness overloaded intoxication.

Nothing in the world can replace the satisfaction you get from home baked goodies. To mention the least… it simply fills every corner of your home with such sweet aroma… that you start feeling good and all positive. It was my first bake this season.

This is the latest from blukitchen… Devonshire Honeycake. Super easy to make. This is definitely going in to my first cookery book that is underway… more later on that.

These are also from blukitchen… called potato islands… they are baked potato slices topped with egg salad. A simple and easy winter time dinner with classic ingredients.

If the art in the galleries… malls… or the chef's art on the plate were not enough… just look outside. Mama nature is painting a breathtaking new canvas each day. The desert sky's amazing hues and shades are at its best this season.

Winter sky in uae offers amazing new canvas each day… you instantly feel better by looking up. 

Another day… when clouds became cotton-candy like… or almost like frosted glass behind which the sun was found hiding but alas… he cannot hide enough!

On that note… hoping you enjoy this beautiful weather and have a blissful weekend… signing off for now :)

ARTful noise in the region

If you are moved by current affairs and if you are one of the many who think why artist love to collect objects to represent their thoughts, you may be interested in knowing the scope of such art and its value. Did you know Da Vinci is coming to UAE next December? Have you ever wondered who an art curator is?

Record auction 

Bahraini artist Mahmud Obaidi's Farewell Kiss has gone under the hammer for $62,500 at a recent Sotheby's Doha auction. 

Obaidi's work features former US president George W. Bush in the centre of the artwork with shoes arranged like petals of a flower. 

Kochi-Muzrish Biennale 

Recent events in the region rounds up a versatile action… as art has come a long way from the 2 and 3D representations. Found objects have become and important medium to spill expression. It is also making big noise in the public art scene and was elaborated by Gigi Scaria of the Kochi-Muzrish Biennale team during his recent visit to Dubai. A complete insight to contemporary public art and its relevance will be available to read/learn in Gigi's interview that will be released shortly in one of my recent newspaper stories. The Biennale team has been visiting Dubai to accelerate awareness in the region on India's promising art fair and attract more patrons. 

Gigi Scaria's Settlement

Da Vinci in Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi will be first museum in Middle East to show a Leonardo Da Vinci painting. With just an year away for the official opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, a stellar cast has been assembled for the fourth and final series of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Talking Art Series, that began at Manarat Al Saadiyat recently. 

The portrait, La Belle Ferronniere, in which a serious-looking young woman dressed in red velvet stares out at the viewer, will form part of the first batch of about 300 works sent on loan from more than a dozen cultural institutions in France to supplement the new permanent collection of Louvre Abu Dhabi when it opens in December next year. 

The talk night was an in-depth analyses on Leonardo Da Vinci, as an artist - genius yet human with flaws - through his female portraits. The details of each work was revealed by Vincent Pomarede, the director of mediation and cultural programming for the Musee du Louvre in Paris. 

Who is a curator?

Following a radiology report and scientific research backed presentation of the acquired Da Vinci's authenticity, restoration journey etc, the floor was open to live questions through social media and to the press attending the event in person there. One of the remarkable questions were if curator can be called as art detectives. The answer to which was rather amusing.

"I read the Da Vinci code twice because I had to with all the commotion around the subject. It is not true even while the writer takes his creative liberty to paint a picture the way he wants. It is more amusing to see visitors and tourists walking with the book to connect the clues mentioned in the book. To keep facts as they are or are as 'probably they could have been' the art curators need to keep their detective's hat on. And yes, there is nothing wrong in calling them so," says Vincent Pomarede.

Vincent Pomarede

PS: Thanks to electronic translators at press conferences… they allow speakers elaborate in their comfortable languages… be it Arabic or French… and we can survive knowing just English. Phew! ;)

depART… move on

Based on the theme of Migration, Artry Dubai staged a unique art exhibition inviting 40 artists to submit their ideas that resonate with 'Out of [a] Box' idea. The result was this…

The exhibition is open to public until November 22, 2014

Cardboard boxes hanging from roof to floor… reminding one of the luggage room of a godown, or airport… but in a thought provoking manner.

The curator might have liked my submission for this event but mother being the toughest critic made her opinion clear as always… she did not think it was my best. With art, there is a unique spiritual learning that one adapts with time… that it does not matter if everyone approves of what you do… you just do it… and move on! I was quite glad with my favourite 'tree symbolism' working for me in this artwork titled 'Uprooted'.

Uprooted_2014_B'lu… Read more here.

Meeting Bose Krishnamachari, of the Kochi-Muzrish Biennale, was the high point of the eventful weekend.

B'lu with the Biennale man Bose Krishnamachari

While all 'Migration' was happening at Artry, the next door Al Serkal Avenue was in full swing with the Quoz Art festivities.

I have to be honest with my observations. It is my blog after all. I have one thing to ask Dubai art enthusiasts… why is it that you are always eating and drinking… even while the art right next to you can be really overwhelming if paid attention to ;). Anyway all this buzz is new to the UAE that is evolving from its long slumber… I mean mall culture/food courts etc… am just guessing aloud! Please forgive me if you don't agree! [or send me a note]

Here are somethings that caught the bluvianeye while taking a brisk walkatalk with close friends who risked their Saturday evening on my words. Honestly, we had a great time! And the weather in Dubai is just brilliant!

Cartel presents Dutch designer Iris Can Herpen's 3D printed Haute Couture 

Blue Eye_CDR Series [that is so close to my blog's name too!]

I must mention that I was so glad to have sat through the 'Hopper Stories' playing at A4 space's theatre. They were short movies made on Edward Hopper's paintings. Simply amazing and creative! Watched The Muse (that features Hopper's Night Hawks), The Conference at Night and The Breakup.

Conference at Night_Edward Hopper

Night Hawks_Edward Hopper

Talking of this classical American realist from the 19th century... am reminded of the great masters showing at Abu Dhabi Art that was on at Manarat Al Saadiyat until last night. Realy glad to have stumbled upon Francis Bacon, Mattisse, Picasso… flown down to the UAE... all the way from New York by Acquavella Gallery.

And then MFH was also there… Women from Yemen [the title rhymes… or is it just me?]

I also loved these…

The weekend was very artsy, busy and closed with an amazing flute recital at a friend's place.

Flutist Dr Anil Pillai… about whom I will be writing in one of my writing spots soon...

Among the new things stumbled upon this weekend are the lip smacking lamb spring rolls & crab-melon salad at the Tribe, Mall of the Emirates. [Oops! I should not have asked Dubaians why they are always eating and drinking! lol ;)]

As I say good bye for now… here are some wise words from one of the speakers I listened to last night:

"Artists give us a new pair of eyes to see the world. They are precious to our society. Let us all unite to support them."

- TP Seetharaman, Indian Ambassador to the UAE
[Quoting Lord Krishna from Gita, the ambassador drew a parallel between divine pair of eyes to see the 'real lord'... to an artist's honest/passionate/non-commercial/pure tributes of examining the world around him.]

PS: I can hear… Dr Anil's version of a popular lord Krishna number… Krishna nee begane baro… in a loop… is it some sign!? Paulo Coelho please help! ;)