This week’s editorial musings from magpie’s nest
The quote Self employment is a never-ending contest between the world’s worst manager and the world’s laziest employee Daniel Akst
Phenomenal teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will officially open its elegantly styled doors to the public in Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi on 18 April. The 17,000m2 “multi-sensory art experience” will include “massive transformative exhibits that take guests on a sensory-rich journey that transcends the ordinary”. The ticket price is also a bit transcendental, at AED 150 per adult for a half-hour timeslot …
Coffee mates Hotel Indigo Downtown has a good deal if you’re looking for a working or meeting space in Business Bay – its casual Open Sesame eatery has high-speed internet, access to power plugs, and even stationery available on request, all included in a day pass with unlimited coffee for AED 40 (or with lunch too for AED 120). Only obvious drawback is a late start – you can’t get in before 11.30am. To book, call or WhatsApp +971 56 422 7120.
Do good We don’t really do Ramadan recommendations, but it’s worth flagging up Rove Hotels’ Pay What You Can iftar – all profits go to Al Jalila Foundation, a medical research non-profit with a special focus on providing healthcare for children in the UAE. There’s a recommended price of AED 109, which seems reasonable anyway. Slots are limited: book here.
Simplified creativity Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority has moved 40+ business services into a dedicated web portal called, somewhat portentously, The Circle. You will need a live Creative Zone password to get at it (log in here) but it has definitely simplified things …
Soft Top Ten The UAE has retained its 10th place in Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index. Other regional players are slipping – Saudi Arabia has dropped two positions to 20th, Qatar Is down one at 22nd – but the UAE is perceived to be strong in “Influence”, International Relations and Business & Trade. The usual suspects make up the top ten – US, UK, Japan, Germany, France etc …
Top Dubai vibes “Designed as more than just a gallery, MAVON seamlessly integrates fine art with high-end real estate, luxury automobiles, fashion, and hospitality”. Could it be more Dubai? And no, we weren’t invited to the opening. If you want to go (see the likes of Brendan Murphy, KAWS, Mr Brainwash, and of course Basquiat) the new gallery (“Dubai’s largest private art gallery”) is in the Al Hashemi showrooms building on Sheikh Zayed Road, not too far from Alserkal Avenue …
Make movies Abu Dhabi’s Arab Film Studio is partnering with NYUAD to offer UAE nationals aged 16-18 a place on a Young Filmmakers Workshop. It runs for three weeks in July; the deadline for applications is 30 April. More info here …
eL Seeding A calligraphic sculpture by eL Seed has been installed outside Tashkeel’s Nad al Sheeba place as part of Dubai Culture’s Dubai Public Art initiative. The work, called Takhayyal (imagine), “reflects the power of art in cultivating connections, sparking curiosity, and inviting audiences to explore deeper meanings.. It’s rather good, though it could have had a more dramatic frame – the location is commendable and accessible, but doesn’t do the piece justice …
Something for the weekend Nerd heaven: guess the hex code of the colour here …
Things we didn’t know no.94 The toughest tongue twister in the English language is reputed to be “the sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick” …
Earworm of the week The Moonlandingz : The Sign Of A Man
Be the first to comment