CDA’s participation comes in line with its sustained support to people with disabilities specially those with autism. CDA, one of the main sponsors to the initiative, exchanged its expertise and experience in the care and development of people with Autism

More than 200 people attended the session in the presence of a famous artist with Autism Christophe Pillault whose paintings were featured in an exhibition. His mother, Dr Jacqueline Mansourian, gave a lecture surrounding her experience in dealing with autism and its challenges, and how her son discovered his innate talent as a figurative artist despite being with autism.

Sheikh Maktoum Butti Al Maktoum, CEO – Social Care, said: “Autism statistics in the region is of concern with one in every 91 children affected by it. It is extremely important to promote awareness on autism, which is reflected in our participation in Documentary Voices.”

“The discussions with the audience were fruitful and achieved our goal of shedding light on Autism and raising awareness on how to deal with them. CDA encourages all initiatives that comply with the programmes of its Disability Services,” said Dr Eman Gaad, Director of Disability Services, CDA.

Make Me Perfect, the documentary on the Dubai Autism Centre was screened at the event. CDA representatives were honoured for their efforts at the event as panalist

The Disability Services at CDA also hosted the distinguished artist Christophe Pillault and his family at its headquarters. The United Nations has honoured Christophe by marking his birthday as international day for Autism.
-ENDS-

A truck-load of food items worth a staggering AED625,000 has been delivered to the Red Crescent’s Abu Dhabi office and will go to needy communities across the UAE as soon as possible.

Carrefour carried out the collection drive in the UAE during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Foodstuffs were given free or at heavily discounted prices with the support of IFFCO and Agility.

Henri Changeux, Head of Carrefour for the GCC, said: “With so many deserving causes abroad occupying our attention, it is sometimes easy to forget that there are people in need here in the UAE, too. We feel it is very important to make this contribution to vulnerable communities at home, and are grateful that our suppliers joined in the effort.”

Carrefour’s donation initiative is now in its third year and this year’s donation has surpassed the amount raised in 2008.

The brand’s community work in the UAE and other Gulf markets also includes raising environmental awareness through its popular ‘Act Green’ campaign, which encourages shoppers to replace plastics bags with reusable ones.

-2-

Changeux said: “Last year we made a financial donation to the Red Crescent but this time we felt a contribution in kind would be more valuable. As a part of the local community, we are anxious to support humanitarian organisations wherever we can and are looking forward to an even more successful collection campaign next Ramadan.”

With 15,000 stores worldwide, Carrefour is the world’s second largest retailer and the biggest in Europe and the Gulf. It operates four main grocery store formats: hypermarkets, supermarkets, hard discounts stores and convenience stores.

Carrefour in the UAE is a joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim and Carrefour France.

-Ends-

Commenting on her win, Shouq said:

“I’m very pleased about winning this competition, which allowed me to bring my creative ideas to life and showcase my talent in fashion design, especially in designing abayas that distinguish Khaleeji women. My abaya was inspired by spring, designed as a butterfly full of the happy and vivid colors of this season.’

‘In the past, the Khaleeji abaya consisted of one piece that is worn from the head down to cover all the body, despite differences in some details that reflected the individuality of each country. This dress changed over the years and consisted of two separate pieces for the head and the body,’ said Mohammed Al Samhan, one of the competition judges and owner of Al Yashmac Fashion. ‘Even as designs of abayas became more creative and fashionable, this traditional dress maintained its black color across the region. The move by Persil Abaya Shampoo to launch this competition has proved the great talent that Arabian woman enjoys, as she translates her creativity into beautiful designs that contribute to highlight this dress as part of our proud heritage.’

UAE designer Amal Murad, jury member and owner of ‘Redaa’, said:

‘Abayas in the GCC have become more than just a traditional black dress, and now reflect a wide variety of models and designs that serve the needs of khaleeji women – students workers or housewives. These abayas are elegant, and at the same time preserve the decency and originality of this traditional dress.

‘Arwa’a Abaya’ was a great way to discover creative designing talents that will help launch new designs to further introduce the world to this special line of fashion, which now runs its own fashion shows,’ she added.

The competition, the first of its kind in the region, has captured huge attention in terms of participation and audience, who watched its updates on leading Arabic channel MBC1.

“START works regularly in Jordan to give children art-classes and we decided that the children’s summer should be filled with fun and adventures so we are going to donate a full series of art activities and outings to these precious children.” Said Laila Demashqieh, Jordan Co-ordinator for START.

START has been working for over two years in the Middle East creating cultural activities including taking children from Shatila Refugee camp  to the National Museum Beirut, giving regular art classes to children from the SOS  orphanages in Lebanon and working in Jordan’s National Gallery to teach orphaned children how to draw and collage. It is the programme’s second summer art school for children in need. For July 2009 5 UK artists, 1 Australian and a nurse from Trinidad will be travelling to Jordan to give their free time to reach out to children through art.

“I was delighted to be accepted as a volunteer for START’s summer art activities with the refugee children in Jordan. START has a unique concept to offer humanitarian aid through art classes.  I am an artist and art teacher in the UK and I heard about START’s inspiring work through friends in Dubai. I immediately wanted to give my time and skills to the organisation.” Said Alison Pugh British painter and art teacher.

START continues to struggle to attach a project sponsor to this effort but is hopeful that some gifts of art materials will be possible from people in Dubai who understand the need to help others less fortunate in the region. START is a non-profit programme. Many programmes exist to give families in the region basic items to survive but START looks to what all children crave the most, which is to be happy and free to play and create. Learning new skills through being creative this summer is just the start of what these children need.

“14.05.09 –Undercurrent” showcases the works of a group of 29 selected Egyptian artists, both well-established and at the cutting-edge of the Egyptian art scene. The exhibition takes its inspiration from the city of Cairo, with its exuberant energy, continuously stretching boundaries, and complex social and economic environment. The artworks reflect the impact of all these dynamics on the art and culture of contemporary Egypt.

 “14.05.09 – Undercurrent is a valuable contribution to the region’s artistic agenda, as it highlights a number of outstanding Egyptian artists,” said Amel B. Makkawi, Founder of Art Sawa in Dubai. “Hosting this exhibition in the UAE draws our two cultures together and closer. Both Dubai and Cairo’s growth demonstrate an impact and electric energy, although each originating in entirely different sources. One rooted in millennia of history and civilization, of human artistic expression dating back thousands of years, the other emanating from a small trading community that in a moment of great opportunity decided to stand up and be counted, to create a major 21st Century hub for commerce, finance, transportation, media, and arts.”

H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Owais commented ““This exhibition presents an excellent platform for Egyptian and Emirati artists to interact and share experiences and creative ideas, which further highlights the depth of the ever-growing relationship that has for centuries brought Egypt and the UAE together, especially in literary and artistic arenas.”

 Hosting an art exhibition of this size and value in the UAE serves as recognition of the emergence of the country as an important contributor to contemporary art. The creative art works of artists from the Emirates are becoming a regional language understood by broad segments of the UAE’s citizens and residents, and have become an extraordinary ambassador for the country’s values, cultural heritage and creativity.

More than abstract works signed by artists, these pieces of art convey the culture, heritage and reality of the Egyptian society, further instilling the mission of art as means to bring cultures closer together, express sincere human feelings and elevate our perception and understanding of fine arts.

Through these wonderful pieces, the Egyptian artists try to describe the small details of the Egyptian culture, which visitors will surely enjoy. This is undoubtedly a great opportunity to learn more about the Egyptian school of contemporary arts. This is where the creative talents of Egyptian and Emirates artists meet and blend in great harmony that creates deeper understanding and credibility of the realities and distinct qualities of life in these two countries.

“This exhibition is an important initiative, one where both established and up-and-coming Egyptian artists display their work, in a generous gesture destined to propel the Arab art movement to the prospects it so deserves. I commend Art Sawa and this collective of artists for this endeavour,” H.E. Farouk Hosny added.

True to its vision which values the role of art as a universal language, and reflecting the artistic scene in the UAE, which has become a highly sought-after international destination for the arts, Art Sawa celebrates the occasion with its first publication featuring the artists and their artworks.

“14.05.09 – Undercurrent” boasts a collective body of work that is sure to impress. Life in Cairo with all its versatility and uniqueness is expressed by 29 Egyptian artists, including Ahmed Askalany, Ahmed El Shaer, Ahmed Nawar, Armen Agop, Atef Ahmed Ibrahim, Attiat Sayed, Ehab Ellaban, Eslam Zein, Essam Marouf, Fathi Afifi, George Azmy, Hanafy Mahmoud, Hanan El-Sheikh, Haytham Nawar, Hazem El Mestikawy, Hend Adnan, Howaida El Sebaee, Ibrahim El Dessouki, Khaled Sorour,  Maha Maamoun, Marwa Adel, Mohamed Abla, Mohamed Al Fayoumi, Mohamed Zayan, Mohsen Shaalan, Nagla Samir, Randa Shaath, Sobhi Guergues and Wael Darwesh.

The exhibition, the first of its kind in Dubai, has benefited from the support of leading companies including Algebra Capital, Egypt Air the exhibition’s official carrier, as well as Emirates Airlines and Contemporary Practices magazine, media partner on this occasion. It also enjoys the support of individuals such as Mr Abd El Raouf Samy, Chairman of Heliopolis Electric Company and Chairman of the Egyptian Business Board.

Art Sawa welcomes visitors to 14.05.09 – Undercurrent, in Al Quoz, Dubai, from May 14th to June 14th, 10 am to 7 pm.