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Frieze filling out<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Frieze Abu Dhabi<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(19-22 Nov at Manarat Al Saadiyat) will have two new curated sections \u2013\u00a0Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi<\/strong>, a local version of the historical-survey format from Frieze Masters in London that presents exceptional objects and artefacts from antiquity to the early 20th century; and\u00a0Global Futures<\/strong>, a showcase of early to mid-career artists from the region. There will also be an \u201cambitious\u201d commission for the inaugural\u00a0Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award<\/strong>; and a clever new flagship exhibition project curated by Munira Al Sayegh’s Dirwaza Curatorial Lab called\u00a0In Dialogue<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 brings together works by one established artist and one emerging artist from the UAE. We hear that a goodly number of galleries are signing up, with the\u00a0bursaries of up to 30%<\/strong>\u00a0for younger galleries working well …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Performers register here<\/mark><\/strong> DCT Abu Dhabi has added a\u00a0Performing Arts Registry<\/strong>\u00a0to the\u00a0musician<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0artist<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0listings already included in its\u00a0Registry of Cultural Organisations and Professionals<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 which seems to be rebranding as\u00a0CulturAll<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(see what they did there?) Anyone who regards themself as a performing artist in the UAE is welcome to\u00a0apply<\/strong><\/a>; it\u2019s free, easy, will be required for any funding application, and will likely be the first stop for any institution looking to commission work. Sign up\u00a0here<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(that option doesn\u2019t yet seem to be available on the main website)\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Secret’ Abu Dhabi<\/strong><\/mark> Abu Dhabi people seem pretty knowledgeable about the place they live \u2013 73% \u00a0recommend\u00a0hidden gems<\/strong>\u00a0to family and friends, and 50% could name\u00a0\u201ca secret spot\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0in response to a DCT Abu Dhabi survey (them again). Top recommendation: the\u00a0Art House Caf\u00e9<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0at Etihad Modern Art Gallery in Al Bateen. Also mentioned by more than half of respondents:\u00a0Hili Archaeological Park<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Jebel Hafit<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(for camping), and the genuinely remarkable\u00a0Emirates National Auto Museum<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worth the detour<\/mark><\/strong> None of those are listed in\u00a0Detourmap<\/strong><\/a>, sadly, but it\u2019s still worth patronising \u2013 it\u2019s free, public-domain, asks for no sign-ups, and shows places you might never find on Google Maps (because Google ranks by popularity: famous places get the pins, the pins keep them famous). Try narrowing the search to \u2018hidden gems\u2019 and the Dubai Fountain<\/strong> vanishes while the Iranian Mosque in Satwa<\/strong> stays\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now read on<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Back with DCT Abu Dhabi, its Books in the City<\/strong><\/a> initiative is a network of around 45 \u2018reading locations\u2019 across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain \u2013 caf\u00e9s, heritage sites, malls, parks, clinics. Lots of good (albeit borrowed) ideas here: Meead<\/strong> gives a visitor a wrapped book without knowing its title or contents beforehand; NovelBrew<\/strong> puts QR-enabled access to a digital library in coffee shops; ‘Take a Book, Leave a Book<\/strong>‘ does what it says: Offline Reading Club<\/strong> is a two-hour no-digital-devices session of shared reading (free coffee during the session). More info abut locations etc\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accommodating<\/mark><\/strong> Dubai’s residential market<\/strong> seems to be weathering the war pretty well, according to both betterhomes’ Q2 2026 Dubai Residential Market Report<\/strong><\/a> and Property Finder’s bi-monthly Market Pulse<\/strong><\/a>. Prices and tenant demand keep climbing despite a bit of a slowdown in Q2, and it looks as though prices are finding a floor; so bargains are going to be harder to find …<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand<\/mark><\/strong> Private-sector recruitment<\/strong><\/a> in the UAE dropped by 4% in the second quarter, says Cooper Fitch<\/strong><\/a>. It’s the first fall in more than four years …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heartache in Gaza<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>“Believe me, my heart aches for every innocent civilian on the Palestinian side, because this is not our aim or desire in any way.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog<\/strong> aches for the humanitarian toll in Gaza in this interview<\/strong><\/a> with Al Arabiya English. We didn’t find him entirely convincing\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Job opp 1<\/mark><\/strong> Rizq Art Initiative <\/strong><\/a>in Abu Dhabi is looking for a Partnerships & Development Lead<\/strong><\/a> to \u201cplay a key role in developing the partnerships, funding, and institutional relationships that will help the initiative grow\u201d. Must be a strong writer, skilled researcher, and passionate about community-led cultural initiatives; min 5 years\u2019 experience in grant writing, fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy, development, or project coordination preferred. This could be a really good one; details here<\/strong><\/a> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Job opp 2<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> Nika Project Space<\/strong><\/a> in Dubai needs a Gallery Intern “eager to gain practical experience in a dynamic gallery environment and contribute to exciting art projects.\u00a0CV and short cover letter to contact@nika-projects.com <\/strong><\/a>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not so social<\/mark><\/strong> More than half the respondents to a survey by research firm Incogni<\/strong><\/a> agreed that \u201cmaintaining an online presence feels like work\u201d and are posting less and more selectively<\/strong>. 44% agree political content and polarisation<\/strong> made them want to withdraw from social media. And 47% have deleted a social media or messaging app<\/strong> because of stress or anxiety \u2013 with delete rates higher among the young (61% of Millennials, 56% of Gen Z)\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Festive Abu Dhabi<\/mark><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong> The Abu Dhabi Festival<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 postponed from earlier this year \u2013 has confirmed new dates: 10 Oct to 19 Dec. A few of the original artists obviously couldn\u2019t reschedule (eg Jon Baptiste, Hauser, Elham Al Marzouqi) but several could (eg American Ballet Theatre<\/strong><\/a>, Algarab\u00eda<\/strong><\/a>, Minsoo Sohn<\/strong><\/a>, Dhafer Youssef<\/strong><\/a>) and they\u2019ve added a couple of dates \u2013 like the UAE National Orchestra <\/strong><\/a>with guest conductor Fran\u00e7ois L\u00f3pez-Ferrer and pianist David Khrikuli, and Hans Zimmer<\/strong><\/a> (again). Overall it\u2019s a gratifyingly busy programme, if a bit mainstream. Details here<\/strong><\/a> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bespoke sneakers<\/strong><\/mark> This weekend (25-26 July, 11am-8pm) sees a three-day Bespoke Sneaker Fair<\/strong> (aka retail opportunity) at Design Dome<\/strong><\/a>, City Walk \u2013 hand-painted sneakers by the store’s co-founder Diviya Tilani<\/strong> (\u201cwe all deserve to wear footwear with character\u201d). Prices start at a character-testing AED 650<\/strong> …<\/p>\n\n\n\n EU stops Venice’s \u20ac2m grant<\/mark><\/strong> The European Commission has confirmed that it is indeed stopping a multiyear grant worth \u20ac2m to the Venice Biennale<\/strong><\/a> over Russia\u2019s renewed participation at the event. ArtNet<\/strong><\/a> quoted a spokesperson as saying European taxpayers\u2019 money should be used to support cultural events that “safeguard democratic values [and] foster open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression”, values which “are not respected in today\u2019s Russia”. There again, the Biennale said the cancellation would have “no significant impact on the budget, the balance sheet, or the scheduled and ongoing activities”\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Design for Sharjah (and Milan)<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0We recently noted that Sharjah\u2019s BASE39<\/a><\/strong> has partnered with the Isola Design Awards<\/strong><\/a> to host the actual ceremony. We\u2019ve just seen the award details, and they include a BASE39 Special Category for UAE-based designers<\/strong>; the focus is on design solutions that address regional environmental challenges. Prize: three months\u2019 residency at BASE39 (complimentary creative licence, access to workspaces and prototyping and fabrication facilities, mentorship, matchmaking with manufacturers and investors, development support, exhibit at BASE39 and at Isola’s Milan Design Week show. We\u2019re clarifying some details before we add it to the Opportunities page, but here\u2019s some info to be going on with<\/strong><\/a>. Apply by 27 August …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sikka calls<\/mark><\/strong> The open call for Sikka 2027<\/strong><\/a> (Al Shindagha next Jan) has been extended to more categories of would-be participant \u2013 art<\/strong>, \u00a0workshops<\/strong>, performance<\/strong>, culinary<\/strong> and of\u00a0course retail<\/strong>. Deadline remains 17 Aug; info here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And Sikka also has a short-run open call for a four-month Creative Studio Residency<\/strong><\/a> in Al Shindagha \u2013 creative space, collaboration, knowledge exchange, professional development \u2013 for applicants active in visual arts, design, architecture, creative technology, \u201cand other cultural and creative industries\u201d. It went live on 20 July and the deadline is 27 July<\/strong>. Info here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who to believe?<\/mark><\/strong> Gallup<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has just updated its annual survey of Americans\u2019 feelings about more than a dozen institutions<\/strong><\/a>. Headlines: confidence in newspapers<\/strong> was near a record low at 17%, TV news<\/strong> inched up to 14%\u00a0from 11% (but was still second-worst \u2013 only Congress<\/strong> was lower, with 9% confidence), and confidence in Big Tech<\/strong> was at 20%, down from a 2020 high of 32%. Way out ahead: the military<\/strong>, at 61%\u00a0…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last chance<\/mark><\/strong> Three exhibitions we really liked are ending this week: Foundry’s Supermarket<\/strong><\/a> show of artists with no gallery representation, and the two Maraya shows \u2013\u00a0Salmah Al Mansoori<\/strong><\/a>‘s thoughtful\u00a0exploration of memory, material, and place;\u00a0Noor Al Suwaidi<\/strong><\/a>‘s reflections on colour and place. And we just noticed that the excellent Charlie Koolhaas<\/a><\/strong> show at XVA has been extended \u2013 but only until tomorrow (24 July) …<\/p>\n\n\n\n Useful app of the week<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Harper<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a free open-source grammar checker for macOS that runs entirely on your device. No accounts, no telemetry, no cloud; we’re checking it out, but it does look\u00a0a good alternative to the likes of\u00a0Grammarly. Find it here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Something for the weekend<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0Tiled Words<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is yet another daily word game \u2013 arrange the tiles to make words, with a bit of simple crosswordery to get started. Fiendishly hard.\u00a0Try it here<\/a>\u00a0…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Things we didn\u2019t know no.94<\/mark><\/strong>\u00a0No, the\u00a0Great Wall of China<\/strong> is *not* visible from space to the naked eye …<\/p>\n\n\n\n A brief farewell<\/mark><\/strong> This the last edition before\u00a0the newsletter takes a summer break.<\/strong> We’ll be working on (much-needed) redesigns for both magpie Weekly<\/strong> and the magpie website<\/strong><\/a>. And we’ll still be doing the journalism thing, with articles<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0updated opportunities<\/strong><\/a> and what’s-on listings<\/strong><\/a> being placed regularly on the site; and our active\u00a0social media posting dept will stay busy on all the usual channels. See you again in September!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Poll redux!<\/mark><\/strong> How much will you miss magpie Weekly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earworm of the week<\/mark> <\/a>Boards of Canada : Prophecy at 1420mhz<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\n\n\n\n![\"laugh\"](\"https:\/\/sendy.magpie.ae\/js\/ckeditor\/plugins\/smiley\/images\/teeth_smile.png\" "\\"laugh\\"")
It was excellent<\/a>![\"smiley\"](\"https:\/\/sendy.magpie.ae\/js\/ckeditor\/plugins\/smiley\/images\/regular_smile.png\" "\\"smiley\\"")
Pretty good<\/a>![\"indecision\"](\"https:\/\/sendy.magpie.ae\/js\/ckeditor\/plugins\/smiley\/images\/whatchutalkingabout_smile.png\" "\\"indecision\\"")
Not so good<\/a>![\"sad\"](\"https:\/\/sendy.magpie.ae\/js\/ckeditor\/plugins\/smiley\/images\/sad_smile.png\" "\\"sad\\"")
It was poor<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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