The Dubai art and culture digest: 12 happenings this May
Dubai welcomes another month of art-culture cool this May…
May is here (we know, freaky) and if you're an arts-and-culture-crawler, this list is for you. Find here, all of the coolest alternative art happenings throughout the month to keep you busy and your soul fed. Arte Museum x Musée d'Orsay
Immersive digital art space Art e Museum Dubai is collaborating with the famed Musée d'Orsay in Paris, to bring classic masterpieces in a new light. The exhibit invites visitors to experience the emotional and cultural depth of 19th-century French art with all the five senses engaged, as these pieces come to life. Expect to see ver 100 artworks from Monet's Water Lilies to Van Gogh's Starry Night.
ARTE MUSEUM DUBAI, opposite Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall, from Feb 19, Mon to Thurs, 10am to 11pm, Fri to Sun, 10am to 12am, dubai.artemuseum.com Arab Cinema Week
This iconic celebration of the very best of regional cinema started off as a small spark and has now become an annual staple on the city's cultural calendar. The festival kicked off on May 2 and will run till May 11, taking you through an incredible journey through the cinematic landscape of the Arab world. 10 days of the event will feature 10 feature films, 6 Gulf Premieres, 3 UAE Premieres, and stories from 10 Arab countries including Lebanon, Sudan, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and Syria. Read more here.
Find the full schedule here, tickets priced at Dhs56.70 Dreams of Spring at Al Habtoor Palace
The Dreams of Spring exhibition at Al Habtoor Palace was unveiled recently, and features a specially curated collection of pieces by internationally-acclaimed artists like Timur D'Vatz, Timur Akhmedov, and Alfiz Sabirov. The exhibition has been curated by Andakulova Gallery, renowned for championing the vibrant art scene of Central Asia, and Legends Art Club. The exhibit is open for public viewing from until May 31, 2025.
Dreams of Spring, Al Habtoor Palace, till May 31, @alhabtoorpalace Terra Dubai x Pinkum Collection
Terra Dubai has a new exhibition by celebrated Dubai based, Canadian-Lebanese multidisciplinary designer and digital artist, Chafic Mekawi, curated by renowned Dubai based collector Margo Castro, founder of Pinkum Collection. The exhibition features five thought-provoking works that blend traditional Gulf elements with a forward-looking perspective, shaped by his upbringing between Beirut and the UAE. Visitors are invited to explore themes of Arab identity, heritage, cultural symbolism and futurism expressed through striking compositions.
Terra Dubai, Sun to Thurs, all summer, 8am to 11pm, Fri to Sat, 8am to 12pm, Tel: (0) 4 388 8582, @terra.eatery Women in Contemporary Arab Art at Kutubna Cultural Centre
Kutubna Cultural Centre is hosting Women in Contemporary Arab Art , an exhibition of 35 works that offers a rare and powerful perspective on how Arab women have been depicted through decades of modern and contemporary art. The display features revealing stories of strength, beauty, resilience, and cultural transformation outlined by renowned regional artists.This including paintings on canvas and paper, highlighting both classic and experimental styles from the 20th and early 21st centuries.
Kutubna Cultural Centre, until May 18, daily, 10am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 447 4050, @kutubnadubai Comedy in the Sky at Aura Skypool
Comedy in the Sky is back at Aura Skypool for a second round. In partnership with The Laughter Factory, catch comedians like Justin Panks, Aaron Butler, Roxy Yekta, Viswajit Dilip and Valentina Danubio on Wednesday, May 21, starting 8pm. Stellar comedy paired with incredible panoramic views of the city -doesn't get better than that. Guests also receive a complimentary drink.
Aura Skypool, The Palm Tower, Wed, May 21, 8pm , Dhs250, Tel: (0) 4 566 2121, @auraskypool.dubai The ME by Meliá
ME by Meliá Dubai invites guests to immerse themselves in Harmony in Diversity, a captivating exhibit ion by Dubai-based artist Rada K., as part of the hotel's Cultural Connection series. Known for her bold exploration of styles and materials, Rada K. brings a dynamic and thought-provoking collection that celebrates contrast, connection, and creative freedom, transforming the entire hotel into a gallery.
The ME by Meliá, Business Bay, launching May 9, Tel: (0) 525 2500, @medubaihotel Expo City
In celebration of International Museum Day, Expo City Dubai invites visitors to relive the glory days of the Expo with free entry to the Expo 2020 Museum and Garden in the Sky from May 17 to 18. Expo 2020 Museum offers a unique experience on an inspiring journey through Dubai's triumphant bid to host the first World Expo in the Middle East, the challenges of delivering a global mega-event during a pandemic, and the unforgettable moments that made the Expo 2020.
Expo City, May 17 and 18, @expocitydubai Carmina Burana – The Ballet
Carmina Burana: The Ballet makes its Dubai debut at Dubai Opera on May 23 and 24, 2025, in a thrilling reimagining of Carl Orff's iconic cantata. Directed by acclaimed choreographer Edward Clug, the production fuses classical and contemporary ballet to capture the raw energy of fate, desire, and destiny. With dramatic choreography set to the thunderous O Fortuna and Orff's emotional score, this bold performance promises a visceral, unforgettable night of music and movement.
Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, May 23 and 24, @dubaiopera Tashkeel x Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel celebrate a decade of the Emergent Designer Prize with a striking exhibition at Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba, running until June 3. Centered on the theme 'Inspiring Winds,' the show features innovative works by Gulf-based designers. Highlights include Dhow Kite by Hajar Al Tenaiji, blending Emirati maritime heritage with sustainable design, and poetic pieces like No Beginning and Breezeborn . Expect sculpted wood, wind-shaped cork, and plenty of imagination.
Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba, until Jun 3, daily, 8am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 336 3313, @tashkeelstudio Fragments of Persian Modernity
This exhibit at Foundry, presented by Bavan Gallery, Hoor Gallery, Zafi Gallery, offers a powerful snapshot of Iran's artistic evolution through modern and contemporary works. Running across painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the exhibition highlights visionaries like Aydin Aghdashloo, Monir Farmanfarmaian, and Sirak Melkonian, exploring themes of identity, tradition, and transformation. Juxtaposing generations and genres, it reveals a vibrant artistic dialogue shaped by heritage and global influence — poetic, political, and deeply personal.
Foundry, Downtown Dubai, until May 13, daily, 10am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 367 3696, @foundrydowntown HOME: Heart Of My Existence at JD Malat Gallery
Afro-Surrealist artist Kojo Marfo makes his Dubai debut with HOME: Heart Of My Existence at JD Malat Gallery, running until May 31. Through 13 bold, large-scale works, Marfo explores home as a feeling rather than a location — shaped by memory, identity, and cultural drift. Blending Cubist flair, Ghanaian iconography, and classical technique, his vibrant compositions pulse with emotion and existential inquiry. It's a show that speaks directly to a rootless, global generation.
JD Malat Gallery, Downtown Dubai, May 31, daily, 10am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 257 0076, @jdmalatgallery
Images: Socials
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Acrobatic spinner dolphin found in Arabian Gulf waters inspires sculpture on show at Christie's Dubai
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Zahra Ebrahimi Behfar, who goes by Saghi, spent her days walking along the shores and swimming among the mangroves of Qeshm, an Iran-governed island in the northern Gulf. 'I would encounter aluminium cans scattered across the sand or floating in the sea,' she tells The National. This is what inspired her latest work, Spinning Dolphin Stool, a sculptural seat made from recycled cans, which will be on show from Wednesday at Christie's Dubai. 'The process began long before the physical work took shape,' says Behfar, who is an interior designer and creative partner at Element Curations, an art consultancy with services in Italy and the UAE, where she now lives. She started by collecting the cans herself while out on her walks and swims, but soon the community joined in. 'People began saving cans for me,' she says. 'I knew from the beginning I wanted to create a collection inspired by the anatomy, movement and spirit of marine creatures.' The act of collecting was her way of turning passive observation into active engagement. She saw each dive, each piece of trash removed from the ocean, as a 'small act of reciprocity in the greater cycle of the ecosystem'. A reminder that each of us has agency to protect the world around us. Spinning Dolphin Stool is inspired by the spinner dolphin, a species known for its acrobatic spins above the water. Behfar created it by 3D-printing the form using recycled plastic to design a prototype. She then made a mould from that model, which was used to cast the final version in recycled aluminium. 'Every step was intentionally chosen to reduce environmental impact while honouring the material's origin – waste transformed into a vessel of awareness,' says Behfar. It is one of six pieces in a collection inspired by the Gulf's native marine life, including the hammerhead and blacktip sharks, and the humpback whale. 'Each creature represents a part of our shared ecosystem and our forgotten connection to it,' she says. This desire to emphasise our link to our environment, as well as our collective human responsibility to preserve it, underpins the pieces. While the series is not yet fully realised, Behfar is hoping to bring the pieces in conversation with each other in a gallery or public space soon. 'The Gulf, in particular, has always been a platform for life. People would sail to trade goods like spices, dates and fabrics. They dived for pearls. They went fishing to feed their families. These waters connected distant cultures and economies – they were a lifeline. The spinner dolphins are part of that same ecosystem.' It's a step away from the artist's usual oeuvre, which has always been steeped in community research, but was less personal and transformative. Her work is informed by the layers of culture, nature and history, inspired by 'unheard voices and forgotten stories that have quietly shaped our present'. Yet this latest project emerged not only from research, but also her own lived experience. 'The connection I formed with the sea and the mangrove forests during the quiet of the pandemic was not just inspiring, it was transformative,' she says. 'Every morning I woke up thinking: 'How can I give something back?'' In-depth research into each species and the marine environment at large was still integral to her creative process. Now she hopes to take this further as she develops the collection by working with UAE organisations that focus on the country's environmental, cultural and ecological landscapes. 'What I feel most urgently is the need to slow down and go deeper,' she adds. 'To research more about our environmental and cultural heritage, to listen to the stories that live in the landscape, in the sea, and in the people who've been shaped by both.' Ultimately, Spinning Dolphin Stool is not about a dolphin or a stool, adds Behfar. 'It's about the sea that has always carried our stories, our food, our dreams and our futures. The Gulf has long been a living bridge between people, languages and histories, and I want viewers to feel how much we owe to it, and how fragile that connection has become.' Other pieces include Humpback Whale, which has been designed as bench. Behfar envisions it will sit along the UAE coastline, allowing people to take a seat as they look out at the Arabian Gulf, 'not only to offer a place of rest, but also to carry the weight of the story'. Blacktip Shark, meanwhile, is a public light sculpture that blends form and function. 'Inspired by the shores of the Gulf, it's designed to live in harmony with the land that shaped it, serving as a reminder of how deeply our urban lives are connected to nature, even in the most everyday things.' In this way, all artists should start to see their individual practices as part of a larger ecosystem, she believes. 'We are now at a critical threshold. If we don't act, if we don't tell these stories, protect these spaces or offer something back to the future, there may not be much left to pass on.'
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Dubai Eye
Frederick Forsyth, 'Day of the Jackal' author, dies at 86
British novelist Frederick Forsyth, who authored best-selling thrillers such as 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'The Dogs of War', has died aged 86, his publisher said. A former correspondent for Reuters and the BBC, and an informant for Britain's MI6 foreign spy agency, Forsyth made his name by using his experiences as a reporter in Paris to pen the story of a failed assassination plot on Charles de Gaulle. The Day of the Jackal, in which an English assassin, played in the film by Edward Fox, is hired by French paramilitaries angry at de Gaulle's withdrawal from Algeria, was published in 1971 after Forsyth found himself penniless in London. Written in just 35 days, the book was rejected by a host of publishers who worried that the story was flawed and would not sell as de Gaulle had not been assassinated. De Gaulle died in 1970 from a ruptured aorta while playing Solitaire. But Forsyth's hurricane-paced thriller complete with journalistic-style detail and brutal sub-plots of lust, betrayal and murder was an instant hit. The once poor journalist became a wealthy writer of fiction. "I never intended to be a writer at all," Forsyth later wrote in his memoir, The Outsider - My Life in Intrigue. "After all, writers are odd creatures, and if they try to make a living at it, even more so." So influential was the novel that Venezuelan militant revolutionary Illich Ramirez Sanchez, was dubbed 'Carlos the Jackal'. Forsyth presented himself as a cross between Ernest Hemingway and John le Carre - both action man and Cold War spy - but delighted in turning around the insult that he was a literary lightweight. "I am lightweight but popular. My books sell," he once said. His books, fantastical plots that almost rejoiced in the cynicism of an underworld of spies, criminals, hackers and killers, sold more than 75 million copies. Behind the swashbuckling bravado, though, there were hints of sadness. He later spoke of turning inwards to his imagination as a lonely only child during and after World War Two. The isolated Forsyth discovered a talent for languages: he claimed to be a native French speaker by the age of 12 and a native German speaker by the age of 16, largely due to exchanges. He went to Tonbridge School, one of England's ancient fee-paying schools, and learned Russian from two emigre Georgian princesses in Paris. He added Spanish by the age of 18. He also learned to fly and did his national service in the Royal Air Force where he flew fighters such as a single seater version of the de Havilland Vampire. Impressing Reuters' editors with his languages and knowledge that Bujumbura was a city in Burundi, he was offered a job at the news agency in 1961 and sent to Paris and then East Berlin where the Stasi secret police kept close tabs on him. He left Reuters for the BBC but soon became disillusioned by its bureaucracy and what he saw as the corporation's failure to cover Nigeria properly due to the government's incompetent post-colonial views on Africa. It was in 1968 that Forsyth was approached by the Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, and asked by an officer named "Ronnie" to inform on what was really going on in Biafra. By his own account, he would keep contacts with the MI6, which he called "the Firm", for many years. His novels showed extensive knowledge of the world of spies and he even edited out bits of The Fourth Protocol (1984), he said, so that militants would not know how to detonate an atomic bomb. His writing was sometimes cruel, such as when the Jackal kills his lover after she discovers he is an assassin. "He looked down at her, and for the first time she noticed that the grey flecks in his eyes had spread and clouded over the whole expression, which had become dead and lifeless like a machine staring down at her." After finally finding a publisher for The Day of the Jackal, he was offered a three-novel contract by Harold Harris of Hutchinson. Next came The Odessa File in 1972, the story of a young German freelance journalist who tries to track down SS man Eduard Roschmann, or The Butcher of Riga. After that, The Dogs of War in 1974 is about a group of white mercenaries hired by a British mining magnate to kill the mad dictator of an African republic - based on Equatorial Guinea's Francisco Macias Nguema - and replace him with a puppet. The New York Times said at the time that the novel was "pitched at the level of a suburban Saturday night movie audience" and that it was "informed with a kind of post‐imperial condescension toward the black man". Divorced from Carole Cunningham in 1988, he married Sandy Molloy in 1994. But he lost a fortune in an investment scam and had to write more novels to support himself. He had two sons - Stuart and Shane - with his first wife. His later novels variously cast hackers, Russians, Al Qaeda militants and cocaine smugglers against the forces of good - broadly Britain and the West. But the novels never quite reached the level of the Jackal. A supporter of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, Forsyth scolded Britain's elites for what he cast as their treachery and naivety. In columns for The Daily Express, he gave a host of withering assessments of the modern world from an intellectual right-wing perspective. The world, he said, worried too much about "the oriental pandemic" (known to most as COVID-19), Donald Trump was "deranged", Vladimir Putin "a tyrant" and "liberal luvvies of the West" were wrong on most things. He was, to the end, a reporter who wrote novels. "In a world that increasingly obsesses over the gods of power, money and fame, a journalist and a writer must remain detached," he wrote. "It is our job to hold power to account."
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
'The Day of The Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86
9 June 2025 22:31 LONDON (AFP)Prolific British thriller writer Frederick Forsyth, who instantly became a global bestselling author when his book 'The Day of the Jackal' was published in 1971, died on Monday aged 86, his literary agents Curtis Brown famously penned his most famous work, about a fictional assassination attempt on French president Charles de Gaulle by right-wing extremists, in just 35 days after falling on hard times."The Jackal" went on to be made into a hit film starring Edward Fox as the assassin.A Netflix remake last year with Eddie Redmayne in the lead role was released last year."We mourn the passing of one of the world's greatest thriller writers," his agent Jonathan Lloyd died at home surrounded by his family following a brief illness, according to Curtis former journalist and pilot wrote over 25 books including 'The Odessa File' (1972) and 'The Dogs of War' (1974), and sold over 75 million copies of his novels were also turned into films. Forsyth attributed much of his success to "luck", recalling how a bullet narrowly missed him while he was covering the Biafra civil war between 1967 and 1970.
