Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states woke up on one Monday morning to what is the most severe crisis in the regional bloc’s 36-year history to date. In a closely coordinated series of statements, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, along with Egypt, announced the severing of ties with Qatar, demanding that the country sever ties with extremist groups. Judging by the Qatari reaction so far, it seems the Gulf states’ patience will be tested. Read more »
Articles
The Politics of Egyptian Fine Art
When the revolution broke out in 2011, Egyptian artists were thus well positioned to take on a much more direct, activist role, and many did. Art changed as well, becoming more accessible and purpose-driven. Now, as the tide again has turned to authoritarianism, the unbridled hope of the uprising has waned, negatively affecting art as much as any other part of the revolution. Yet there are glimmers of dissent in the art that lives on, and many reasons to think that Egyptian artists will be part of the vanguard of the next wave of social and political change, whatever it may be. Read more »
How the CIA Secretly Funded Arab Art to Fight Communism
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, details began to emerge about the CIA’s covert role in using art as a tool for political ends during the Cold War. But while much is known about CIA funding for American art during the Cold War, their support for Arab art during the same period has rarely been discussed. Read more »
UAE’s soft power brings nations together
The true wealth of this nine-million strong nation is not in its massive oil reserves or its giant sovereign wealth fund. The true wealth of the UAE is the people, both citizens and foreigners, who have come together to build a nation and turn it into an oasis of tolerance, respect and opportunity for all. Read more »
Lateefa bint Maktoum: No mere observer of change
Few individuals have had such a direct impact on the arts movement in the UAE as Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum. Lateefa transcends the world of art through charity, education and the contemporary identity of the United Arab Emirates. She represents both Emirati women and the country at large through her work, helping forge a 21st century character for the young nation though her distinct imagery. Her efforts have directly contributed into turning the UAE’s emergent art movement into a full-fledged industry. Read more »
13 Degrees East
More than thirty years after its opening the Institut du Monde Arabe continues to be a visionary and unique project that is still relevant to France but perhaps even more relevant to the Arab World itself. It was in Paris that I truly connected to the Arab world, says Sultan in this personal essay about Arab art, culture and identity. Read more »