Dalston-Dubai

The first ever pop-up mall happening in Shoreditch this summer. Recycled containers, fitted out off site and placed on a temporary site at the top of Bethnal Green Road. Fun and a great way to use land set aside for redevelopment.
I wonder if this would ever happen in Dubai? It certainly gives more freedom to smaller boutique sized set-ups who can take on the lease for a year and see how things go. Or collaborations. Although I'm sure they're not cheap to rent, its a interesting and in-vogue way of setting up shop. Maybe in Al Quoz this would be great! It would certainly look great as a contrast to all of our modern Arabic architecture if it were somewhere newer, we're definitely not short of land waiting for development.
Check the site out here http://www.boxpark.co.uk/

I'm snowed under at the moment so am neglecting the blog. A very quick one to remind everyone to go to Sketch at Jam Jar on 17th Feb. Check out more details on facebook

Starts on 20th january with many concerts and events. There'll be Jazz on JBR walk and Fireworks at Dubai creek as well as a massive launch party on 20th at Burj Khalifa Boulevard.
Check out the full schedule here

"I Don’t Need Your Money Honey All I Need is Love" is the title of the new selection of work from the Farook collection on display at Traffic. With a big Hirst heart on show, this show should get you in the mood for valentines day...in a month.
5 Jan, 2010 - 27 Jan, 2011Traffic, Gallery II

photo and details from http://www.viatraffic.org/

Get to JBR beach to watch the second round of the traditional Dhow boat race. Over 70 Dhows will look incredible along the Jumeirah coastline. One not to miss. 2.30pm at the Dubai International Marine Club.

If your in East London this New Year consider the 'Disappearing Dining Club'. For 75 of your English pounds you get a five course meal and entertainment from 7pm - 6am in intimate and super trendy warehouse loft space in East london. I think if there is a group of you this would be a brilliant way to celebrate together. A different type of glitz and glamour than that on offer in Dubai and totally unique. I love the fact that a heated roof terrace for smokers is a selling point (in dubai you can mostly smoke indoors and no need for a heated terrace...?) you'll get to watch the fireworks across the city and hangout in the coolest of cool- definitely an evening to remember. 

I'm going to the Cellar for New Year... this also goes from 7pm-6am and promises to be memorable but at twice the price, I'm pretty sure it wont compare to something like the loft party for the style and intimacy... again the total opposites of the East, Dalston (yeah Ok its Old street not Dalston but you know this blog often stretches the metaphor) and the Middle East, Dubai. Still, New Years is about the people your with so once you've had a few drinks and a bit of a dance with friends we'll all be merry wherever we are.

I was told yesterday that at the walk tonight at 8pm theres a screening of The Kings Speech. Rumor has it theres a Q&A with Colin Firth as well, I cant find this on the website but it's worth a visit just incase.
Theres loads of films on tonight check out the schedule here

Excellent exposure for the guys behind brownbook and their recent 'urban guide to the Middle East' in this Forbes blog article. Its great to see arts and culture in Dubai promoted on such a global level but being a frequent visitor to the no-so-current brownbook blog and knowing that the print version (although beautiful) is only published once every two months. I wonder if the 'boys' are more interested in promoting their own brand than helping artists and designers promote themselves and their initiatives here in Dubai. Beirut and Cairo are culture capitals sure, but Dubai needs work. Don't get me wrong, I admire the 'brownbook boys' as Forbes calls them, they are a great example of entrepreneurial creatives pushing the arts in this region. Creating places like Shelter brings international designers for talks and exhibitions to help our creative community develop. To get close to those other creative leaders in the Middle East though, we need  an uptodate, for-designers-by-designers guide to whats on and whats cool in the UAE, we need enthusiastic grass-roots artists to push things forward, not timeout, a government run or profit-making arrangement but something independent and young, thats where brownbook should run next....back to Dubai.

Opens today at the Courtyard Gallery, Al Quoz.
An exhibition of contemporary Persian & Arabic Calligraphy by Ali Shirazi. 

"Mastering classical calligraphy for over 35 years had given Ali Shirazi the skill to move forward and break boundaries by exploring new means to fulfill his creative desire. The preeminent brushes, which glide on his large canvases, are clearly come from his outstanding skill in traditional calligraphy.  Having exhibited in Total Arts Gallery for several occasions in the past, now he is back with his new collection of contemporary Persian and Arabic calligraphy.
Ali Shirazi is known as the best scripter of Nastaliq style of calligraphy in the world. His work has been extensively exhibited worldwide and been collected by major museums and private collections through Islamic world."

Read more about Ali Shirazi on his website

Go see Viktoria Modesta tonight at the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen and while you're there, check out Jon Burgerman's contribution to the Hoxton Window Project- a sneaky way for some free interior design and self promotion by unit9 - excellent work chaps!

In the meantime, or if your in Dubai, watch this vid, I know a few illustrators here, what an inspirational and down to earth bloke, the last 'Sketch' event at JamJar was on 11st november... right, I must work on my website instead!