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Art Dubai 2014: Another Year, Another Resounding Success!

Over the last seven years, Art Dubai, the leading international art fair in the MENASA (Middle East/North Africa/South Asia), has become a cornerstone of the region’s booming contemporary art community. Recognized as one of the most globalized meeting points in the art world today, Art Dubai places an emphasis on maintaining its intimate, human scale while foregrounding quality and diversity.
In 2013, Art Dubai welcomed 25,000 visitors–including 75 international museums groups–and hosted 75 galleries from 30 countries.

The eighth edition of Art Dubai takes place March 19-22, 2014, at Madinat Jumeirah. Besides the gallery halls, the fair’s extensive program includes commissioned projects and performances, artists’ and curators’ residencies, radio and film, an exhibition of new works by winners of the annual The Abraaj Group Art Prize and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.

In 2014, the fair features more than 85 gallery spaces from 34 countries–from the world’s most established to dynamic young art spaces. In addition to the Contemporary halls, Art Dubai launches a new program devoted to modern art from the Middle East and South Asia. Art Dubai Modern includes eleven galleries, each presenting a solo or two-person show by modern masters.

Shirin Gallery in Tehran, Iran was selected for the Modern hall. Shirin Gallery is committed to establishing an international context for the broad range of contemporary art practices within Iran and its surrounding regions. The gallery’s current programming is focused on the historical link between Iran’s modernist movements and contemporary art practices today. With branches in New York and Tehran, Shirin Gallery exists as a transnational platform for curatorial and pedagogical projects that foster artistic activity and exchange among emerging and established artists. In Tehran, the gallery exhibits its permanent collection showcasing respected Iranian artists as well as presenting bi-weekly exhibitions by upcoming talents and established artists. Shirin NY, located in the Chelsea Gallery District, furthers Shirin Gallery’s commitment to cultural exchange by exhibiting the Middle East’s rich artistic history within the US.

The exhibiting artist at Art Dubai representing Shirin Gallery is Ardeshir Mohassess, an Iranian illustrator and cartoonist, who lived in New York until 2008, when he passed away.

Mohassess pushed the art of the cartoon to almost surrealist satire and stylistic references to ancient art forms. Throughout his career, he remained a resolute social critic, focusing on the cruelty, humor, and vulnerability of human nature.

(website for images: http://sites.asiasociety.org/arts/mohassess/)

Gallery Etemad of Tehran, Iran was selected for the Contemporary hall. Established in 2002, Etemad Gallery seeks to showcase regional and international artists and is committed to promoting a wide range of emerging and established artists practicing in varied techniques and forms, from figurative to abstract minimalism. Etemad Gallery’s program has a highly curatorial approach, reflected in the gallery’s exhibitions which highlight the diversity and depth of many selected artists.

Six artists from Gallery Etemad will be exhibiting at Art Dubai: Shahriar Ahmadi, Mohsen Ahmadvand, Morteza Ahmadvand, Abbas Kiarostami, Mehrdad Mohebali, and Ramtin Zad.

(Please find images for Shahriar and Ramtin in their websites, which I’ve linked to their names).

Leila Pazooki is also represented by Gallery Etemad. The concept of “borders” is a recurring backdrop and common thread through all her projects. Her visual explorations include the strategies of multi-layering and partial elimination of “illicit” images, mingling the “borders” of “tolerable” and “forbidden” figurative representations. In her recent works Pazooki continues the research in the realm of media, questioning the validity or reliability of the messages that cross the “borders.”

(her website, which I’ve linked to her name, has images)

Art Dubai is held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.
Art Dubai Ladies’ Day is held under the patronage and guidance of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women’s Establishment, Wife of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAE
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Senses CEO Tata Monfared visits Sharjah Art Exhibition

Senses CEO Tata Monfared visits Sharjah Art Exhibition and meets Foundation’s President, Her Royal Highness Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi.

In the course of her month-long visit to the Middle East, Tata has had the opportunity to connect with many influential artists, patrons of the arts and art foundation officials from the region.  One such important visit has been to the Sharjah Art Foundation’s March Meeting 2014 in the United Arab Emirates, and meeting with the Foundation President, Her Royal Highness Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi. 

Her Royal Highness Sheikha, president of the Sharjah Arts Foundation since 2009, attended the WOIBEX Conference in Dubai where Tata had the opportunity to meet her. Sheikha Hoor’s mission is to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between Sharjah and the international art community. She herself has had much experience in this arena being an artist herself and the curator of international exhibits in Germany, Switzerland, and Sharjah. She is also on the Board of the MOMA and lives and works in both London and Sharjah.    

At the exhibition, Sheikha Hoor highlighted the vital importance of Sharjah’s arts and culture sector and spoke about the growing success of the Sharjah Biennial. She also discussed some of the foundation’s initiatives to enhance international partnerships, such as residencies, production grants, commissions, and exhibitions.  The core mission of the Foundation and Senses are similar: both believe in the central role art can play in the life of a community by promoting public learning and both promote a participatory approach to art.

The March Meeting 2014 that Tata is currently attending examines several pertinent issues in contemporary culture, addressing institutional formation, exhibitions, and artistic production as well as consideration of how to develop education and research initiatives. The meeting is also an exciting point of departure for Sharjah Biennial 12, incorporating commissioned artists to shape a context for their as yet unimagined projects. In addition to presentations, MM 2014 will feature case studies, collective research and evaluation sessions, and moderated, informal discussions at the end of each day, to promote the active participation of all in attendance.

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Senses Cultural is proud to promote the International Museum of Women’s Muslima Exhibition

Senses Cultural is proud to be a supporter of the International Museum of Women (IMOW). The mission of the International Museum of Women is to inspire creativity, awareness and action on vital global issues for women. Because of the commonalities of purpose between Senses Cultural and IMOW, we are excited to promote this innovative online museum that showcases art, stories and ideas to celebrate, inspire and advance the lives of women around the world. We are especially honored to bring to you IMOW’s new exhibition, Muslima: Muslim Women’s Art & Voices.

Muslim Women’s Art & Voices is a global online exhibition that presents a groundbreaking collection of thought pieces and artwork from contemporary Muslim women who are defining their own identities and, in the process shattering pervasive stereotypes. Muslima includes exclusive interviews with global leaders of the movement for a more equitable world and original content from established and emerging artists and thinkers. Curator of this remarkable exhibit is Samina Ali, visionary, writer, activist, published author.   Watch Samina Ali’s remarks at the recent Muslima public program in San Francisco, “From Sharjah to San Francisco: Muslim Women Discuss Peace, Identity, and Art.”  http://muslima.imow.org/

 

 

 

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SENSES CULTURAL ART GALLERY “Mud and shadow” by Bahram Khamjani

In honor of humanity and peace, and in support of the panel discussion in review of impacts of sanctions on Iranian Health & Education, Senses Cultural have dedicated an exhibition of Mud & Shadow for this propose. All profits from the sale of these fantastic  artworks will be devoted to the important work of lifting the sanctions against medications for cancer patients in Iran.

Please make out your tax-deductible contributions here.

Or in Senses Cultural facebook page.

 

Maranjab Caravanserai Kashan, Acrylic on canvas, 30”x36”, $ 2000event_mud & shadow_10

 

Kurdistan Village,  Acrylic on canvas, 18”x24”, $1500event_mud & shadow_7

 

Aghazadeh House Abarghoo,  Acrylic on canvas, 24”x30”, $ 1500event_mud & shadow_6

 

Bam Citadel (Arg e Bam),  Acrylic on canvas, 30”x48”, $ 2500event_mud & shadow_1

 

Twin ice pits   Sirjan,  Acrylic on canvas, 30”x40”, $ 2000

event_mud & shadow_4

 

Tabatabai House Kashan, Acrylic on canvas, 24”x36”,$ 2000, soldevent_mud & shadow_11

 

Pigeon Tower Esfehan,  Acrylic on canvas, 18”x24”, $1500event_mud & shadow_2

 

Sirjan-Bazzar,  Acrylic on canvas, 18”x24”, $1500

event_mud & shadow_8

 

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Art Healing May 26

On May 26 people joined us for experiencing another relaxing Senses Cultural/Art Healing program. We believe; Art is invention, fun, play, message communication, inspiration, intuition, and simple contemplation of loveliness.
This works shop presented an Art of Impressionism.

Experience and Paint like Henri Matisse

participants created their original artwork with the subject of Impressionism combined with the playfulness like Henri Matisse did.

In this workshop one of the most famous of artist painting (Goldfish) was the main theme.
This work completed in 1911. Matisse painted the goldfish motif more than a dozen times between 1911and 1915.

Tata Monfared
Founder & Executive Director

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Art Healing at Fusion Internatinal Art

Senses School of Art expanded Art Healing workshop to Sacramento.

This was another great opportunity for sharing the fantastic impact of Art Healing with our community, at Fusion International Arts Center in 2030 Del Paso Blvd in Sacramento, CA.

 

See related brochure. 1

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Art Healing Family Program

We invite those with all levels of ability to participate, including children, adults, seniors and students.  This will be a terrific experience with two accomplished Art Healing practitioners from the Bay Area, Bahram and Jaleh.  They will be sharing the success, impact, and benefits of the program with us.
The previous workshop focused on Pop Art, and works of Miklosh Nemeth. Our next class will be around the works of Pablo Picasso.
The motivations, practice, and satisfactions of Art Healing have inspired Senses Cultural to expand this program, so that many more can benefit.

We will supply cardboard and painting materials for free.

The stretched canvasses and portrait orders will be priced based on the size and the quality of the materials. All sales will be tax-deductible.

Art Healing has been used to treat a variety of traumas, including disaster relief and crisis intervention, through a variety of delivery forms. We look forward to seeing you at this exciting Art Healing Event.