Almost 55 years after its first participation in the 1970 Expo Osaka, Abu Dhabi will be back in Japan at Expo 2025 Osaka but under the flag of the United Arab Emirates. Today, looking back at the progress of the Emirates over the past half-century, I am reminded of the theme of the 1970 Expo – Harmony and Progress for Mankind. It is as though this promise extended beyond that one event in which Sheikh Zayed offered a vision of progress and harmony for the people of the UAE. Read more »
Mosques of the UAE: Simplicity reigns supreme at architectural symbol of Sharjah
With clean lines and no decorative elements, the minimalistic King Faisal Mosque greatly influenced the country’s design landscape. Read more »
Collecting During Uncertain Times: An Introduction to the 2024 Edition of the ARTnews Top 200 Collectors List
It remains a question where the market will head through the fall, when global art fairs, prime gallery exhibition programs, and marquee auctions resume. But most dedicated collectors will carry on regardless of evolving conditions. What do our Top 200 Collectors make of the current market? Read more »
One Gulf City Preserves Streets After Others Bulldozed Old Buildings
Dubai, Kuwait and Riyadh turned away from the past to make way for modern skyscrapers, but UAE’s Sharjah takes a different tack. Bloomberg economist Ziad Daoud interviews Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi for his take on how Sharjah aims to “acknowledge our distant as well as our recent past” through art and architecture. Read more »
Al Sharekh: An Arab pioneer who came into our homes without us ever meeting him
Mohammed Al Sharekh, a visionary entrepreneur and cultural pioneer from Kuwait, played a pivotal role in advancing Arabic language and technology. His efforts in preserving and promoting the Arabic language and culture earned him widespread acclaim, including the King Faisal International Prize. From founding Sakhr Computers, the first Arabic-enabled software company, to championing Arabic culture and development through his work in economic institutions and art collection, Al Sharekh’s legacy continues to inspire. Read more »
The UAE-Saudi relationship isn’t about competition
Over the past few months, much has been said about the relationship between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, some of it strikingly shallow and misinformed. Is there competition and differences of opinion and approach on some issues between the two Gulf powers? There certainly is. Competition, in fact, is one of the secret recipes of the UAE’s very own success. Read more »