
Bassam Freiha Art Foundation unveils new exhibitions by The Prism
Presented by Stefano Simontacchi, these displays will take you on an out-of-this-world journey.
Abu Dhabi's thriving art scene has established the capital as a serious cultural hotspot. Art lovers have plenty of options to explore, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to the upcoming teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and now there is one more thing to get excited about. The newly launched Bassam Freiha Art Foundation brings two new exhibitions to Abu Dhabi by renowned Italian artist Stefano Simontacchi.
Open until 31 August at Saadiyat Island, Stefano Simontacchi, better known by his artistic name, The Prism is bringing two new works to the capital. Curated by Marco Senaldi, these exhibitions, titled Project Oneness and the other, Trust, Gratitude and Love Journey, will transform light, space, and perception into an immersive journey.
Project Oneness will be showcased in three interconnected rooms. The first will shed a spotlight on ideas of duality, perception and humanity's deep connection with the cosmos. You'll then be guided through a space with colour, light and movement and by the time you reach the final room – where elements like water, earth, air, and fire take centre stage – you'll feel that sense of oneness that the artist wants to convey.
Next door, you'll find the second part of the journey – the Trust, Gratitude and Love Journey exhibition. Here, the artist explores how embracing these powerful tools – trust, gratitude, and love – can help people align themselves with the energy of the universe. The exhibition uses modern materials and age-old symbols, inviting you to reflect and contemplate your place in the grand scheme of things.
For those unversed with Stefano Simontacchi, he is a renowned artist who has built a reputation for creating reflective, light-filled installations that blend art, mindfulness and self-reflection. 'I am immensely excited to bring my works to the beautiful Bassam Freiha Art Foundation,' he said, speaking of his new displays in the capital. 'Based on circular emblems and innovative use of light and space, I want the exhibitions to bring the community of Abu Dhabi closer to art, and help every individual find inner peace.'
If you haven't checked it out yet, the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation was founded by His Excellency Bassam Freiha. It's a non-profit cultural hub that aims to foster artistic exchange between communities, showcasing work from both established and emerging talents while offering a range of educational programs.
Entry to the venue is absolutely free.
GO: Visit https://bfaf.ae for more information.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Tourism Breaking News
a day ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Etihad expands its European network with flights to Prague and Warsaw
Post Views: 59 Etihad Airways celebrated the launch of flights to two new destinations in Central Europe – Prague and Warsaw. The UAE's national airline operated its inaugural flight to the enchanting Czech capital Prague, one of 16 new destinations the airline will add this year. Next the airline touched down in Warsaw for the first time, adding the vibrant Polish capital to its expanding European network. 'Our new Prague and Warsaw services open doors to countless possibilities,' said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways. 'These new routes create a bridge between two remarkable regions, connecting travellers from the Middle East to the heart of Central Europe, while offering seamless connections via Abu Dhabi to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Australia.' Often called the 'City of a Hundred Spires', Prague captivates visitors with its stunning Gothic architecture, centuries-old squares, and lively cultural scene. The Czech capital's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases architectural treasures spanning eight centuries, while its modern districts pulse with innovative cuisine, art, and design. Beyond the city, the surrounding region offers picturesque landscapes, from historic castles to renowned spa towns. In Poland, the modern city of Warsaw captivates with its distinctive contrasts – elegant architecture and contemporary skylines, traditional markets and inspired dining scenes, historic parks and cutting-edge cultural venues. This diversity is complemented by Poland's enticing array of experiences, from medieval cities to pristine forests and mountain ranges. Visitors to the UAE from Czechia and Poland, can enjoy Abu Dhabi's distinctive blend of tradition and modern luxury. The UAE capital offers everything from the serenity of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the artistic masterpieces of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The city serves as an ideal gateway to desert adventures, championship golf courses, and the entertainment district of Yas Island with its world-class theme parks and Yas Marina Circuit. Prague and Warsaw join Etihad's expanding European network at an exciting time. The airline is set to welcome 16 new destinations throughout 2025, including Atlanta (July), Taipei (September), and key Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Krabi in the fourth quarter. Operating on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the services feature 28 Business Studios and 262 Economy Smart seats. Each Business Studio transforms into a fully-flat bed and offers direct aisle access, while Economy Smart seats provide enhanced comfort for all guests. The aircraft offers the latest in-flight entertainment technology and thoughtfully crafted comfort in both cabins. To celebrate Etihad's expanding network, the airline has launched a competition, The Extraordinary Challenge, daring guests to compete in a race to visit 15 of the airline's new destinations, including Prague and Warsaw, to win five million Etihad Guest miles. Any new or existing Etihad Guest member can register to compete and has 12 months to complete the challenge, the first three members to visit all 15 destinations will be awarded. First place will win five million Etihad Guest miles, Second place will win three million miles, and Third place will win one million miles.


Dubai Eye
3 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Alcaraz bludgeons Paul to reach French Open semis
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz steamrolled past American 12th-seed Tommy Paul 6-0 6-1 6-4 at the French Open on Tuesday with a jaw-dropping display of attacking tennis in one of the most one-sided men's quarter-finals in Paris in recent memory. Four-time champion Iga Swiatek, who is looking to become the first woman in the professional era to win four consecutive titles in Paris, also punched her semi-final ticket with a straight sets win over Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to set up a mouth-watering semi-final with world number one Aryna Sabalenka. But it was four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz's merciless dismantling of Paul that grabbed the fans' attention, with the 22-year-old Spaniard terrorising the former French Open junior champion who looked like a fish out of water. Alcaraz charged through the first two sets in just 53 minutes and in near flawless fashion, hitting winners at will and chasing down every ball before the shell-shocked American had any time to react. Paul pulled himself together to hold serve and go 4-3 up in the third but as the sun gradually went down over Paris so did the curtain on his inspired run, with Alcaraz winning three games in a row to put him out of his misery in just 94 minutes. "I could close my eyes and everything went in," Alcaraz said. "My feeling was unbelievable. I tried to hit the shots 100% and not think about it." "Today it was one of those matches where everything went in," he said. He will next take on in-form Italian Lorenzo Musetti who battled past American Frances Tiafoe in four sets after surviving a second-set wobble, to reach the French Open semi-finals for the first time. Musetti Warning Musetti, the world number seven, who escaped with a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct when he kicked a ball at a line judge, eventually overran 15th seed Tiafoe. "Honestly it was really unlucky coincidence," said Musetti of the incident. "I was a little bit scared, because I really didn't want to harm nobody, of course. So I immediately went to the line umpire, and I of course said, 'sorry', I apologise to everyone." "It was right to have a warning, but I think the umpire saw that there was no intention about that and that's why probably just, you know, let me continue my game." That occurred in the second set when Musetti, the only man to reach at least the semi-finals of every main claycourt event this season, was given balls to serve. He kicked one to inadvertently hit the line judge, who barely flinched even though she was hit on her upper body. Grand Slam rules state that players are issued a warning at first instance for any ball abuse. Tiafoe, however, called it 'comical' that there was no serious punishment. "I mean, obviously he did that and nothing happened," said Tiafoe, who had looked surprised and pointed out the incident to the chair umpire. "I think that's comical, but it is what it is. Nothing happened, so there's nothing really to talk about. Obviously it's not consistent, so it is what it is." Earlier, and in front of a sparse crowd around lunchtime, Swiatek braved the windy conditions to beat Svitolina 6-1 7-5. Although Swiatek failed to win a title going into the tournament this season, she looks to have rediscovered her remarkable claycourt form in Paris, stretching her winning run at the French Open to 26 consecutive matches following her title three-peat between 2022-24 to add to her 2020 crown. Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka, hunting her first French Open crown, also needed just two sets to overcome Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and snap her opponent's 10-match winning streak at Roland Garros with a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory. "I think we're all here for one reason," Sabalenka said. "Everyone wants that beautiful trophy. I'm glad I have another opportunity, another semi-final to do better than last time."


What's On
3 days ago
- What's On
Cala Vista: Could this be one of the best Italian restaurants in Dubai?
When you think you've tried all the best Italian restaurants in Dubai… There are some restaurants you hear about, mentally bookmark, but never make it to – until one day, you finally do. For me, Cala Vista, Mina Al Salam was one of them. It opened last year while I was away. Now that I'm back, I've been slowly catching up on all the spots I missed – and let me tell you, Cala Vista officially landed on my 'can't wait to go back' list. I thought I was just checking out another Italian restaurant – turns out, I was late to one of Dubai's best. I know, I know, Dubai isn't exactly lacking when it comes to Italian restaurants – the creamy burratas and tiramisus – we've seen it all. But every now and then, one stands out – and Cala Vista is one of those places. Why? Let's start with the setting Because whether we mean to or not, most of us are wired to judge with our eyes first – and when the setting is on point, everything else gets an early win. At Cala Vista, you're seated right in front of Burj Al Arab – not in the distance, not peeking through buildings, but in full view. Sure, we've seen it from every angle, but this one still stands out – cinematic, a little surreal, always magical. And when the food lands, the same attention to detail carries through. It looks every bit as good as it tastes. The food While I've had more Italian dinners than I can count, this one had a certain spark. We started with the Burrata Pomodori (Dhs95) – creamy and exactly how you want your burrata to be. Then came the Fritto Misto (Dhs135), perfectly crisp and ideal for sharing. The Insalata di Agrumi (Dhs70) – a citrus salad – added a clean, bright contrast to the richness of the other dishes. For mains, the La Piccant e pizza (Dhs125) brought just the right amount of heat with spicy salami. The Agnolotti (Dhs140) – braised oxtail ravioli with aged balsamic – was a favourite. Rich, warming, and deeply satisfying. The Tagliolini al Limone (Dhs130) a signature dish, with homemade pasta tossed in Parmigiano Reggiano. And if you're going with friends, the La Milanese (Dhs310) is the one to share. We finished with two desserts: Il Limone (Dhs70), a lemon sorbet served inside a hollowed Amalfi lemon. And the Bomboloni (Dhs50), fluffy Italian doughnuts with a chocolate dip – easily a favourite. Vista Brunch If you're into the brunch scene in Dubai and love Italian food, Cala Vista should definitely be on your list. Every Sunday, from 12.30pm to 4pm, Head Chef Luca and restaurant manager Pasquale are hosting the Vista Brunch – an Italian-style lunch inspired by their family Sundays growing up. Expect sharing starters, pasta mains, classic sides, and indulgent desserts. There's live music from a roaming band, making it feel like a true celebration of la dolce vita. Cala Vista, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Jumeira St, Al Sufouh 1. Tel: 800 323 232. @calavistadubai Images: Supplied/Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in