This week’s editorial musings
from magpie’s nest<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quote:<\/mark><\/strong> Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn\u2019t mean politics won\u2019t take an interest in you | Pericles<\/em> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s going on<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0We\u2019re only five days into a war that Trump has said will last four to five weeks, maybe longer. Equally, the UAE air defences<\/strong> seem to be performing brilliantly (there have been more than 1,000 attacks on the UAE since the US-Israel war against Iran began \u2013 that\u2019s more than on all other attacked countries combined) and currently there\u2019s no talk of escalation. So how are things in magpie\u2019s world?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In accordance with government guidelines, several commercial galleries<\/strong> closed for a next few days and a number of shows that were due to open this week have been postponed; in the Agenda<\/strong><\/a> we\u2019ve noted those that we heard of (for instance, Sara Naim<\/strong><\/a> at The Third Line and Mouteea Murad<\/strong><\/a> at Ayyam Gallery).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few institutions remain closed, like Sharjah Art Foundation<\/strong> and the Jameel<\/strong> (some Jameel events have moved online but IRLs like the weekly Farmers’ Market have been cancelled).<\/p>\n\n\n\n But otherwise we seem to be getting back to normal. Tonight’s UAE National Orchestra performance at Dubai Opera<\/strong> is off, but tickets are available for the weekend. Tashkeel<\/strong> shut for a couple of days but is now open again. Alserkal Avenue<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s galleries, shops and eateries have mostly reopened. Comedy<\/strong> gigs seem to be running, though this week\u2019s improv nights at the Courtyard<\/strong> have been postponed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NYUAD<\/strong> is playing it safe, with students being allowed distance learning and the Art Gallery<\/strong><\/a> closed. The Arts Center<\/strong><\/a> has postponed this week\u2019s scheduled events, Ramadaniyyat: Na\u00efssam Jalal & Hazem Shaheen<\/a><\/strong> and the film The Voice of Hind Rajab<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elsewhere on Saadiyat it\u2019s business as usual: the Natural History Museum<\/strong><\/a>, Zayed National Museum<\/a><\/strong>, team:Lab Phenomena<\/strong><\/a> and Louvre Abu Dhabi<\/strong><\/a> are all\u00a0selling tickets (there\u2019s some muttering in France about the safety of loaned artworks, including many for the current Picasso show \u2013 the Louvre has a special gallery that\u2019s fireproof but not bombproof) …<\/p>\n\n\n\n A word about perception<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> There\u2019s been plenty of overseas social media and press blowback aimed at expats living the luxe life in Dubai<\/strong>, with many relishing the\u00a0schadenfreude of\u00a0drone debris falling into their espresso martinis. Meanwhile, you\u2019ve got indignant voices from the UAE pointing out the virtues of safety and security<\/strong> with that unmistakable vibe of opportunity and possibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The glamorous lifestyle flaunted by influencers on social media obviously has little to do with real life here as lived by the rest of us. But these are the voices that get heard <\/strong>by people (and media organisations) outside the UAE \u2013 the self-absorbed \u2018content creators\u2019 and the disgruntled expats (some of whom have been appearing on British TV demanding the UK government rescue them from the hell of the war zone as a matter of priority). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Long story short: blame the influencers (Infludata<\/strong><\/a> reckons there are 51,635 of them in Dubai on Instagram alone). And maybe blame Dubai\u2019s authorities a bit, too, because it\u2019s a matter of policy<\/strong><\/a> to attract them …<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand …<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> “It\u2019s the right time to buy property<\/strong>, prices will massively go down after the attacks”: Politico<\/strong><\/a> reports the measured views of a young real estate consultant a couple of days ago. And we\u2019ve received numerous press releases with lines like \u201cIn times of uncertainty, prioritising emotional wellbeing <\/strong>is essential, says Almond Blossoms Fertility And Wellbeing Center\u201d. As Einstein put it, \u201cIn the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity\u201d …<\/p>\n\n\n\n And finally …<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0A WIRED<\/strong><\/a> report found that the bulk of the misinformation<\/strong> about the conflict with Iran last weekend came from monetised Verified accounts<\/strong>. X has said users trying to pass such content off as real \u201ccould\u201d face suspension from the platform … Job ops 1<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> Back in the real world, 421 Arts Campus<\/strong><\/a> is looking to fill three juicy roles in Abu Dhabi \u2013 Exhibitions Coordinator<\/strong><\/a> (\u201can early-career role suited to someone with 1\u20132 years of relevant experience\u201d); Capability Building Programs Coordinator<\/strong><\/a> (\u201censures that programs are delivered on time, administratively sound, and aligned with 421\u2019s mission\u201d); and Learning Initiatives Coordinator\u2060<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Job ops 2<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0University of the Arts Sharjah<\/strong><\/a> (est Dec 2025, combines University of Sharjah\u2019s College of Fine Arts & Design with Sharjah Performing Arts Academy) is currently recruiting for its music dept \u2013 a Tutor in Arabic Music<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Tutor in Music Theory and Composition<\/strong><\/a>, Programme Leader in Arabic Music<\/strong><\/a>. Apply by 29 Mar<\/strong>, start Aug 2026\u00a0…\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hammer time<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> The inaugural BAM Auctions<\/strong><\/a> auction takes place on 4 April (4pm at Bayt AlMamzar, the Northern Dubai art space which contributes the \u2018BAM\u2019) with \u201ca tightly curated test edition\u201d of 30 to 40 lots<\/strong> of mid-range contemporary works from the UAE and the wider region. “This is a modest and intentional first edition<\/strong>, designed to establish a secondary market structure that can mature steadily over time, built at a scale that allows us to remain attentive, responsive, and closely connected to the community it was shaped for”. BAM is looking for consignments: send details here<\/strong><\/a> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Useful app of the week<\/mark><\/strong> Shottr<\/a><\/strong> is a\u00a0tiny, fast and free Mac screenshot tool with annotations, gradient backgrounds, shadows, scrolling, pixelating to hide or remove objects, and more. Captures any app, any window\u00a0…\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something for the weekend<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Royal Family<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a daily game where you have to position six chess pieces on a board so that none of the pieces attack each other and there’s only a single piece in each marked zone \u2013 so\u00a0that each zone is occupied without any pieces threatening each other. Look, it’s easier to play than to explain. Try it here<\/a>\u00a0…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Things we didn\u2019t know no.94<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Pablo Picasso<\/strong>‘s life overlapped those of both Charles Darwin<\/strong> and Eminem<\/strong> \u2013 Darwin d.1882, Eminem b.1972, Picasso b.1881 d.1973 …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earworm of the week<\/mark> <\/strong>Yakkie : Kill the cop inside your head<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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