After a period of rest that the Corona pandemic imposed on various vital sectors, including the cultural sector and all its activities, especially plastic exhibitions, music shows, workshops, etc., cultural life returns to the forefront in Dubai, the emirate that has drawn a special place in the cultural field to be the artistic hub In the area.
Museums and art centers will resume their work in a manner that takes into account all the precautionary measures stipulated by the state, taking advantage at the same time of modern technologies that have left this sector vibrant even during the period of quarantine.
Shaima Al-Suwaidi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai, confirmed to “Emirates Today” that the Emirate’s culture sector has the flexibility and forward-looking plans necessary for recovery, and gradually re-starting the cultural movement in the next stage.
Charts for recovery
Al Suwaidi added: “We were able, in the past period, guided by the inspiring vision of our leadership, to prove our readiness and our ability to work under the exceptional circumstances the world is going through, in a way that supports the cultural and creative sector in Dubai, and that period formed a basis for us to build on the lessons learned from it and move forward In our plans to recover and gradually restore the cultural movement in the coming stage. ”
She pointed out that "Dubai Culture" has clear plans to ensure the recovery of the sector, and it will be implemented according to studied mechanisms that suit the circumstances of the stage, and put health and safety of employees and members of society at the top of the priorities, pointing out that the authority has already started implementing these plans, as museums were opened gradually The first phase included the museums of the Union, the Shundagh and the coinage, as of the first of June, taking care to ensure adherence to all the preventive measures that were put in place to protect the employees of the mentioned museums and their visitors.
Alternative platforms
For her part, Antonia Carver, executive director of the Art Jameel Foundation said: “Since the beginning of the crisis related to the Corona virus, and since the closure of the Jameel Center for the Arts on March 16, the center has relied on the Internet as a platform for it to act as an effective tool for learning, community support and the support of artists, creators and craftsmen in UAE and the world ».
She added, “Despite the remarkable demand in the number of visits and participation on the Internet every day, from the Emirates and around the world, there is nothing that surpasses the experience of art and interacting with it (close-up), and we are currently presenting an exhibition group, including Michael Rakovitz Gallery, in addition to Lubna's works Chaudhry (Metropolis), which consists of 1000 art pieces, and since June 10, visitors can experience three new exhibitions for each of: Tayseer Al-Batniji, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, and Larissa Sansour. Carver considered that among all forms of culture, visual art and museums represent the best cultural and artistic activity with which new standards relating to physical spacing and other safety conditions can be applied, in addition to the long-standing "non-touch" rule.
She pointed out that visits to the center today are free of charge, but with prior reservation, provided that the visit does not exceed two hours, which allows controlling the number and dates in compliance with the accepted health and safety rules. Visitors and staff must wear a muzzle, undergo a temperature check for everyone before entering the center, and a new capacity for the center has been placed with a limited number of visitors in each room, under the supervision of the security staff.
The psychological aspect
For his part, the director of marketing and communication at the Tashkeel Center in Dubai, Karam Hour, said: “During the stone period, our work shifted to electronic and digital platforms, and there was a kind of simple arrest to monitor the situation, there are many consequences that go beyond the economic situation, including the psychological state of many artists The usual ones go to the studios, and that is why (Tashkeel) issued a booklet entitled (Electronic Resources for Artists) in cooperation with the Emirati psychological advisor, Rima Bani Abbasi, who talks about the psychological aspect of the artists. He pointed to the existence of a group of dialogues that were managed, and dealt with topics concerned with the issues of the current stage, pointing out that after the gradual return, a formation center was opened for members who work in studios and those who have work that is accomplished through some of the devices in the center.
Hoor stated that the Tashkeel Center launched the summer program that takes into account the current stage, including lectures that will be available "online", and those wishing to attend can register for a very simple fee, and the lectures deal with unique and non-current topics in the artistic world. On the 22nd of the center, the first lectures of the center will be launched, and a website called “Art Closely” has been launched, providing several topics that occur every two weeks, and links to videos that increase the strength of the information available about the arts such as the art of printing, drawing and photography.
On the workshops, Hoor said that there is a workshop entitled "Artists working in crises" presented by the trainer Kevin Jones, which extends for 12 weeks through the application of "Zoom" and aims to enhance the position of formation as a destination for cultural exchange between artists, and motivates participants to dive into the basic questions that come to their minds . He noted that modern technology has strengthened the interaction between people in a new way, expected in the coming period to increase interest in digital art, and this content will become part of the artistic system in all parts of the world, and the presence of exhibitions will not be limited to the actual display but will be accompanied by virtual presentations that supply real content, praising all activities The measures taken in the Emirates have positively affected cultural life.
Activities for children from home
The director of marketing and communication at the Tashkeel Center in Dubai, Karam Hour, said that they are working in the center on "cultural activities funds", which will be dedicated to children, explaining that the center offers a new fund every week, and its contents are discussed in a specific artistic topic. He pointed out that each box contains materials that enable young people to carry out these activities and artistic works, including what should be under the supervision of parents, in addition to the presence of instructions, instructions and pictures on how to do and install works to ensure a distinct experience.