Mohammed launches Opera House District

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today announced the launch of the ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District,’ a stylish cultural destination to be located in Emaar’s flagship development, Downtown Dubai, and billed to be the UAE’s newest arts and cultural nerve-centre.

The ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District’ aims to further strengthen UAE’s emerging role as the cultural hub of the region, and builds on Dubai’s current repertoire of over 50 art galleries and globally acclaimed art showcases including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai and SIKKA, all of which also contribute to attracting high-end cultural tourists.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said: “The cultural accomplishments of a nation define its character and individuality. Having demonstrated our credentials in hosting world-class cultural events, UAE has established itself as a thriving destination for culture and the arts. We will continue to strengthen the infrastructure framework for promoting cultural initiatives, through projects such as the ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District.’ This will not only encourage our talented local artists but also facilitate global cultural exchange.”

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “We are thankful to the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who continuously inspires us to implement initiatives that contribute to the city’s long-term growth. With ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District,’ we are further building on the support that Emaar extends to arts and culture.

“It will be Dubai’s definitive entertainment destination that stimulates creativity, supports the arts sector, and also offers visitors their choice of hospitality and leisure. The focus of ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District’ is to stimulate the city’s cultural and artistic milieu through an Opera House, modern art museum, galleries and design studios – in short, the entire infrastructure for arts and culture to thrive.”

In addition to Dubai’s first dedicated Opera House, a modern art museum and several new galleries that will be built within the precinct, the ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District’ will host two new ‘art hotels,’ an array of leisure components and several residential apartments and design studios. 

A committed partner in driving the arts sector of Dubai, Emaar is complementing the vibrant cultural scene of Dubai with The Pavilion, a dedicated art gallery located in Downtown Dubai, and recently hosted ‘Design Days Dubai,’ a contemporary fair for high-end design collectibles at a customised venue overlooking Burj Khalifa.

Several exclusive art pieces adorn Downtown Dubai including renowned Spanish sculptor Xavier Corbero’s Gathering, a collection of ten figurine sculptures made of basalt; Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero’s Horse 2007; Kuwaiti sculptor Sami Mohamed Al Saleh’s Al Sidra and Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein’s Together.

To be clearly differentiated from the existing architectural icons in Downtown Dubai, the ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District,’ will be a design masterpiece, integrating various components that assure a contemporary lifestyle choice for visitors. With plazas, high streets, shaded colonnades, courtyards, sikkas, alleyways, waterfront promenades and parks in close proximity, it will be distinguished by its unique mix of components that focus on the cultural and creative side of Dubai, a realm that is fast growing.

The ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District’ will not only serve the lifestyle demands of the thousands of residents in Downtown Dubai, now a flourishing community, but will also be a magnet for tourists and art enthusiasts. A suave urban development, it will incorporate the modern tenets of sustainable buildings with an emphasis on environmental modeling.

The design and architectural elements of the ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District,’ are now being finalised, and work will commence shortly. Emaar Boulevard, which will anchor the ‘Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District,’ is one of the world’s finest boulevards featuring retail and F&B outlets. Extending more than 3.5 km, it winds through the Downtown Dubai community, and offers spectacular views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The waterfront promenade gives uninterrupted views of The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.

Mohammed visits Art Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited the Art Dubai 2012 exhibition at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai last evening.

Sheikh Mohammed toured various halls and display areas, where he viewed paintings, sculptures and creations by prominent Emirati, Arab and international artists in addition to unique and rare collections of most famous art collectors in the world.

Stopping at Al Jawharah Hall and Arena Hall at the Art Dubai 2012 exhibition, which has become a cornerstone of the region's booming contemporary art community, Sheikh Mohammed viewed some of the world's most precious artifacts on display in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his pleasure with the exquisite taste of participating artists and applauded Art Dubai as an important platform to enrich culture and art.

Concluding his visit, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the organisers on the outstanding success of the sixth edition of the event and wished them further success in promoting Dubai as a preferred global destination for artists.

Mohammed attends poetry soiree  

 
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended a poetry soiree for the prominent Emirati poet Ibrahim Mohammed Boumelha at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association at Al Mamzar.

During the "Tribute to the beloved homeland" poetry soiree, Boumelha recited three poems in love of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai. The poet concluded with a masterpiece in praise of Sheikh Mohammed extolling his virtues as a leader, knight, poet and human.

Sheikh Mohammed applauded Boumelha's contribution to Emirati and Arab culture and expressed his pleasure with such poems that instill patriotism and love for the homeland.

At the conclusion of the event, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the architectural designs for the new Cultural and Scientific Association building and gave his blessings to the project that aims to nurture Emirati talent in numerous fields such as Information Technology, electrical engineering and photography among others.

The project will open its doors by 2015 as per the directives of Sheikh Mohammed.

The soiree was attended by FNC Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Education Humaid Mohammed Obeid Al Qattami, Minister of Youth, Culture and Community Development Abdul Rahman Mohammed Nassir Al Owais, Commander General of Dubai Police Lt. General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Attorney General Essam Al Humaidan, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office Ahmed Abdullah Al Sheikh, Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, a number of officials and a host of cultural and media figures.

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