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www.flightradar24.com A few days ago, I came across the website Flightradar24, which tracks air traffic in real time across the globe. Historical perspective It is strangely scary, comforting and at the same time fascinating. The site illustrates just how many flights are in The UAE pavilion at next Clockwise from the air at any given moment, including year’s will left, Window; those from the Emirates. If you click on Photos With one of the yellow planes, the website feature a solo show by an Flags. Courtesy established Emirati artist. site offers live information on where the Mohammed flight originated, current altitude and Christopher Lord reports Kazem Mohammed the destination it is heading to. You can also keep track of its flight path as well Kazem has as other details such as the model of the craft in question. Check it out at www. , who was part helped pioneer flightradar24.com. of the “second generation” of Emi- experimental rati contemporary artists and a art in the UAE. Maey El Shoush protégé of Hassan Sharif, has been Courtesy Sofia * tasked with representing the UAE Dadourian at the 55th edition of the Venice Biennale next June. This won’t be the first time the 43-year-old artist has participated in the Venice Biennale, having exhibited with the Abu Dhabi Au- thority for Culture and Heritage’s (Adach) platform in 2009. “I want to show that contempo- rary art has been established in the UAE since the end of the 1970s,” says Kazem. “There was a gap be- tween the audience and the society between at that time. But Hassan Sharif was teach- ing for 10 years in order to create a new generation of artists, which I’m part of.” Together with Sharif, Kazem has been a pioneer of more experimen- tal forms in art in the UAE, in addi- I’ve visited a dozen hair stylists over the past tion to maintaining his practice as four years in the UAE and no matter my instruc- a painter. Kazem has also helped tions, they all gave me a variation of Jennifer curate shows in and Aniston’s “The Rachel” – a hairstyle I did not Not only that featured young Emirati talent. My like in the 1990s. My quest to shed the Friends- is she an Reem Fadda, the curator of the era look even led to a stylist in Dubai, who was forthcoming UAE pavilion, says that great at first but eventually lapsed into giving amazing returning to an older generation of me a slightly less Rachel-esque version of The ping. If I suddenly realise I’ve forgot- stylist Waitrose Reem Island Emirati artist was important for $ Rachel. That brings me to Sandrine Bertrand, ten a crucial ingredient for the night’s next year’s event. “There was very There French who is not only an amazing French stylist but but she It may sound extreme to say a super- dinner, it only takes me a few minutes interesting critical thinking and a was a also one who comes right to your home in also market can be life-changing, but the to pop down and pick it up. futuristic approach in the other two Dubai or Abu Dhabi. She carries a portable sink comes recently opened Waitrose on Reem The shop is well stocked with plenty UAE pavilions, but we want to go futuristic for colour and even sweeps up after. Prices Island really has improved my life. As a of good-quality, fresh ingredients. back in history,” she says. “It offers approach vary due to length and volume of hair, but as a right resident of Sun Tower, one of the two It employs helpful staff and is never grounding but also an individualist hair guideline I paid Dh265 for my perfect below- to your towers connected by the Boutik mall very busy. Yet. Yes, it’s a bit pricier narrative to focus on one artist as a in the the-chin bob. Not a wispy layer in sight. For in which Waitrose is housed, grocery than the other UAE supermarkets, but way to talk about the urbanity and other more information call 050 590 5259 or visit home shopping is now a pleasure rather than when I consider I am saving around modernity of the country.” pavilions www.myfrenchhairstylist.com something I dread. Dh50 in cab fares, it all balances out. Fadda is the associate curator of The obvious advantage is that I don’t Middle Eastern art for the Solo- but we stylist Ann Marie McQueen need to leave my building to go shop- Sarah Ferguson mon R Guggenheim Foundation want to * * in New York. She has previously worked on an exhibition of Pales- go back tinian artists at the Venice Bien- in history nale in 2009. “There’s very much Reem Fadda a need to historicise the art move- curator bought it, love it, can’t live without it ment in the UAE, which has roots “You see Mohammed Kazem where we will go forward in time time it has presented a solo show # over 40 years ago, and ground the with his back to us, standing and be a witness to that kind of in its pavilion. art historical discourse,” she says. near a coloured flag in an empty development.” The pavilion is supported by the Every so often we stumble across an younger. Those peachy cheeks come Cheap and cheerful it may be (Dh36), “What better place than the na- space in Dubai. As we know, a The Venice Biennale is an ex- Ministry of Culture, Youth and item that was so worth it, we want to Miracle tinted moisturiser at a price, though, and I was surprised but it’s wonderful. With an SPF of 15, tional pavilion to provide that nu- lot of these empty spaces later hibition that allows countries to Community Development and, for tell everyone about it. My best friend works in the beauty in- on my latest scavenge through her it covers skin lightly and flawlessly as anced history?” became highly developed with present national pavilions dedi- the first time this year, the Sheikha dustry and I benefit greatly from her. I handbag to come across a lowly tube well as providing anti-ageing moisture Kazem’s work has often dealt buildings... We understand cated to artists often from that Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan take all skin and make-up advice from of Pond’s Age Miracle tinted mois- throughout the day. Lovely. with this modernity directly, and that work as a critical reminder country. Next year’s participation Foundation. this cosmetic genius, who has the turiser. Upon trying it, I knew how it Fadda refers to his 1997 work that the intellectual and the art- will mark the third time the UAE peachy cheeks of someone 20 years came to be in the revered handbag. Felicity Campbell Photos with Flags to illustrate. ist was present to interrogate has been represented and the first ! [email protected] *

06 Sunday, September 30, 2012 www.thenational.ae The N "tion"l arts&life The N "tion"l arts&life Sunday, September 30, 2012 www.thenational.ae 07