Latest news with #AVC
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
NMK Electronics and SRS Group unite to expand power, lighting and rigging solutions in the GCC
Dubai, UAE — NMK Electronics, a leading distributor of professional AVC, lighting, and communication solutions, has partnered with SRS Group, a global manufacturer of power distribution, rigging and lighting technology, to deliver advanced solutions across GCC: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. 'We're excited to partner with NMK for the Middle Eastern market. Their dynamic team, expertise, and shared values make them an ideal fit for our brand. We look forward to a successful collaboration and to building strong connections across the region,' said Samuel Sloboda, CEO of SRS Group. The appointment follows SRS' search for the right regional partner, with NMK standing out for its professionalism, proactive approach, and deep understanding of the GCC belt. Initial conversations began at the SLS Show in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2024, followed by detailed evaluations of potential distributors. After further discussions during ISE 2025, both sides agreed on a shared vision for growth. This strategic partnership strengthens NMK's power, rigging, and lighting portfolio while expanding its reach across live events, rental, venue installations, and fixed applications positioning both companies for long-term regional success. 'This announcement marks a commitment from NMK to deliver class leading Power, Lighting and Rigging solutions to the Middle Eastern market. We are proud to represent SRS Group in this region and look forward to our future growth together.' said Curtis Seed, Brand Manager at NMK Electronics. The collaboration reflects a joint commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable growth across the regional AV industry. About NMK Electronics NMK Electronics, a Midwich Group company, is a leading distributor of professional audiovisual (AV) products in the Middle East, with offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, and Doha. Together with its portfolio of reputable brands and a dynamic team, the company has achieved a market leader position in its niche industry. Trusted by leading consultants, system integrators, and end-users, NMK has supported top-tier clients on some prominent local projects across the GCC. Head of Marketing at NMK Electronics Maleeha Riaz PR Contact: Marevak Consulting Virginia Arivu - , Info@
India Today
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Anirudh Varma Collective
Featuring a diverse array of 50 vocalists and guest artistes from across India, Sabr, the new 12-track record of the Anirudh Varma Collective (AVC) blends Indian classical with jazz, folk and global music as well as pieces inspired by the poet Kabir. Creating a genre-fluid, immersive experience, the album encapsulates themes of fate, celebration, love, longing and resilience.
CBC
11-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
P.E.I. vet college admits mistake for asking artist to remove painting based on U.S. politics
Social Sharing The Atlantic Veterinary College has apologized to its former artist-in-residence who quit after being asked to take down a painting he says was censored by the Charlottetown institution due to its political message. In a statement, the college acknowledged that asking Christopher Griffin to choose between removing his painting, The Crossing, or leaving his residency "was a mistake." "The decision did not reflect our institutional values, and we regret the hurt and frustration it caused. Art plays an essential role in education and public life — it challenges us, encourages dialogue, and fosters understanding," the statement reads. "We fell short of our responsibility to protect that role." Painting received 3 complaints Griffin, who moved to Prince Edward Island from Ottawa in 2023, became the regional college's first-ever artist-in-residence last November. The unpaid position gave him the opportunity to brighten up some of the UPEI-based college's community spaces. While animals are a recurring theme in his work, Griffin said his focus shifted starting in January when Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president for the second time and launched a trade war with many countries, including Canada. 'Expressions of concern' lead Charlottetown college officials to tell artist his painting must go 1 day ago Duration 2:58 Christopher Griffin had been enjoying his stint as artist-in-residence at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown. Then a painting he created in reaction to Donald Trump's recent statements and actions about Canada caused a stir. Administration officials asked him to remove 'The Crossing' (detail shown) from the walls of the college, where about a third of faculty and students are American, because of three 'expressions of concern.' CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports. One of his recent works, The Crossing, shows a boat full of lemmings carrying a crumpled and discoloured U.S. flag across an icy northern Canadian waterway. The college said it received three complaints about the painting, including two from American faculty members. The AVC's dean, Dominique Griffon, told CBC News on Wednesday that Griffin had recently started creating more "politically charged" art, which did not align with the original vision for the artist-in-residence program. So Griffin was asked to remove The Crossing immediately, according to a statement he posted on Facebook. He refused. Griffon said it was the artist's decision to instead leave the residency. Many students, faculty and Islanders turned to social media to express disappointment with the administration asking Griffin to remove the artwork. A thank-you card at the college signed by students and staff includes messages of support for the artist. Artist accepted apologies The college said it has offered a direct apology to Griffin and offered to reinstall the painting in a prominent campus location. The university has also invited Griffin to come and speak about his work. "We are also reviewing our internal processes to ensure future decisions uphold our commitments to free expression and inclusive discourse," the statement reads. "We remain committed to creating space for meaningful conversations — even, and especially, when they are uncomfortable." In an Instagram post, Griffin said he has accepted apologies from both AVC and UPEI, and agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion at the university where he will speak about his work. "A huge silver lining is that this event has revealed the deep passion Canadians feel for our country and the values we hold sacred, including the freedom of expression," Griffin wrote. "Canada finds herself in troubled times, but my faith in our people has never been greater. We are strong together."
CBC
09-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
P.E.I. artist quits post after vet college asks him to remove politically charged painting
The now former artist-in-residence at the Atlantic Veterinary College has quit his position, saying the Charlottetown institution was trying to censor one of his paintings. Christopher Griffin became the regional college's first-ever artist-in-residence last November. The unpaid position gave him the opportunity to brighten up some of the UPEI-based college's community spaces. He spruced up the students' Polar Bear Lounge with a new mural and created about three or four pieces a week for nearly six months, hanging many of them on the college's walls. Most featured animals, a recurring theme in his work. But Griffin said the focus of his work began to change after Jan. 20, when Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president for the second time. The Republican politician has since launched a trade war against numerous countries, including Canada, and has continually mused about annexing this country as the "51st state." "When my country was threatened by the government of the United States of America… I felt like I had to do something. I had to react," Griffin told CBC News on Wednesday. "My role as an artist is to communicate, so I came up with the concept of creating a body of work based on our national anthem." One of the paintings in Griffin's series, called O Canada and depicting an elephant standing under a tiny Canadian flag, hung at the AVC for two months without any concerns. The complaints came with the hanging of a painting called The Crossing, showing a boat full of lemmings carrying a crumpled and discoloured U.S. flag across an icy northern Canadian waterway. It's a take on the famous 1851 work Washington Crossing the Delaware by German-American artist Emanuel Leutze, depicting General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River with the Continental Army in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. "I realized, once I put the American flag in, that there would be some commentary, which I welcomed. For me, this was not an anti-American painting, and I took great pains to not make it so," Griffin said. "I chose lemmings because they have the mythology of producing mass suicide by jumping over a cliff or jumping into water. "It seemed to me that the government of the United States was self-inflicting wounds, so to me it seemed like a very straightforward metaphor." 'Not the best venue,' says dean College officials said they received three complaints about The Crossing, two of them from American faculty members. About a third of the vet college's faculty and staff are from the United States. The AVC's dean, Dominique Griffon, said the artist-in-residence program was envisioned as a way to offer students and staff a serene space, given the daily stresses of learning and practising veterinary medicine. She said Griffin's work initially fit that vision perfectly. "Unbeknownst to me... a few months ago, Chris changed the focus of his work toward more politically charged work," Griffon said. "We're not disputing the value in engaging in this difficult conversation; it's just that the veterinary school is not the best venue for that debate." The dean said the college wanted him to continue displaying most of his paintings, to which he retained ownership rights, but to keep the more controversial ones elsewhere. So Griffin was asked to remove The Crossing — immediately, according to a statement he posted on Facebook. He refused. Griffon said it was the artist's decision to instead leave the residency. 'Not a primary school' Some students and faculty turned to social media to express disappointment with the administration asking Griffin to remove the artwork. A thank-you card at the college signed by students and staff includes messages of support for the artist. For now, his paintings will stay in his downtown Charlottetown art gallery, from which he regularly runs online auctions of his work to benefit food banks and other charities. He said he is confident the work he did at the vet college will find a new home soon. As for the AVC, Griffin says he doesn't wish any ill will on either the university or its administration. But he doesn't believe his art contributed to an unsafe learning environment. "It's not a primary school, it's a university," he said. "If a painting of lemmings in a boat causes them to feel unsafe, they're going to have a tough time."
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Behind The Tapestry: Daniel Hanson Reveal Collaboration With Paul Smith
Daniel Hanson X Paul Smith BEHIND THE TAPESTRY - CALEB BY AVC BEHIND THE TAPESTRY - CALEB BY AVC Behind The Tapestry X Paul Smith at Daniel Hanson is a new chapter in British luxury borne out of a serendipitous encounter between young designer Nicholas Hanson and Sir Paul Smith in 2023, shortly after the acclaimed designer brand Daniel Hanson arrived on Savile Row. Both Hanson and Smith hail from Nottingham and despite being a generation apart, they also have in common a love of bespoke tailoring and passion for British craftsmanship and high-quality materials. The Sons of the eponymous bespoke dressing gown brand's founder–Julian and Nicholas –took on the mantle of their father when he sadly passed away in 2019. Julian and Nicholas were offered a coveted spot on London's iconic Savile Row in 2023. Daniel Hanson & Sons. Image Courtesy of Daniel Hanson. Image Courtesy of Daniel Hanson Daniel Hanson launched his eponymous business in 1987 and his coveted luxury designs were stocked in Harrods since 1988, with other stockists including Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman in the USA. Now on Savile Row the sons of Daniel Hanson have taken on the mantle of the Nottingham-founded heritage brand, creating designs that pay homage to their father's tailoring skills and traditional dressing gown styles, whilst making the brand appeal to a new generation through repurposing textiles and tapestries into high end dressing gowns, shirts and scarves. Daniel Hanson has an unparalleled reputation for creating one-off designs inspired by artists, writers and designers as varied from Basquiat to William Morris via Oscar Wilde. Musicians and movie stars have worn Daniel Hanson designs, attracted by the unique hand-crafted designs and luxurious materials. Sir Elton John was an early supporter of the brand and has worn Daniel Hanson robes for years, even wearing one in a John Lewis Christmas advert, and the gowns have been commissioned by costume designers for Hollywood films (Penny Rose commissioned the dressing gowns for films including Entrapment and Pirates of the Caribbean after first seeing them in Newman Marcus in Beverley Hills 15 year ago) and stylists for fashion shoots. So it's no surprise that the latest collaboration revealed by the ambitious and talented siblings– Daniel Hanson 'Behind The Tapestry'– is a capsule collection designed exclusively for Paul Smith. The collection demonstrates the love of fine craftsmanship shared by the Hanson brothers and Sir Paul Smith. Nicholas Hanson explains: 'Behind The Tapestry reflects a shared vision: finding beauty in the discarded, and recontextualizing the offcuts. The last time I met Paul, I was just a child. But meeting again as an adult, we talked about the artistry that continues to inspire us both.' Daniel Hanson X Paul Smith 'Behind the Tapestry Image Courtesy of Daniel Hanson Hanson studied at the Royal Academy of Antwerp where a passion for tapestry and repurposing textiles was ignited, which led to the conversation with Sir Paul Smith that started the capsule collection. Smith and Hanson both found joy and beauty in the 'wrong side' of a tapestry, with its wild mix of colours and yarns, and this led to a collection that reimagines tapestries as wearable pieces of art. Sir Paul Smith commissioned Daniel Hanson to create the collection of double-sided silk prints made in Nottingham–Hanson and Smith's home town–which blend heritage and modernity and includes co-labelled bespoke dressing gowns, lounge sets, scarves and sleep masks. The collection is available now at Paul Smith and Daniel Hanson boutiques & online. Daniel Hanson x Paul Smith 'Behind the Tapestry' © Daniel Hanson Daniel Hanson's Sons: The Next Generation of Savile Row Tailoring The legacy of Daniel Hanson–one of preserving tradition and craftsmanship whilst embracing innovation–lives on through his sons, who have taken the helm of the family business. The transition of leadership from Daniel to his sons marks an exciting new chapter for the business, as they blend their own vision with the rich heritage of Savile Row tailoring. I met Nicholas and Julian Hanson in their Savile Row store as they prepared to launch the collection with Sir Paul Smith, and they gave me some insight into their story and the inspiration behind their work There is a palpable energy and love between the brothers, and they interrupt each other in their enthusiasm when talking about the brand and their late father. Creative to the core–Nicholas is an accomplished musician who has performed on Jools Holland, and Nicholas was a professional Skateboarder–their skills as tailors were developed as young boys hanging out with the dressmakers in their Father's Nottingham factory. Julian and Nicholas Hanson at their Savile Row Shop © Lee Sharrock © Lee Sharrock Julian Hanson gave me a bit of insight into how the brand started: 'Daniel Hanson was established by Julian and Daniel Hanson in the late 80s. The first collection with Dad's name on it was in 1989 but it started happening before then. Essentially, he just loved collecting dressing gowns. Dad was commissioned to make a collection of dressing gowns and pyjamas for Derek Rose. With the money he made from that consultancy, and money my Mum had saved from working as a social worker, he went to the bank and asked if they would help finance an order of his designs for Harrods, and they laughed him out of the bank. Then he had an idea for a luxury dressing gown company under his own name, and by chance he met the nightwear designer for Harrods on a train. He told her about his idea for a fully silk-lined cashmere dressing gown made in Nottingham, and she said if he made her a sample she would place an order for Christmas. So the first account for the brand was with Harrods when he was 32, the age that I am this year.' The Savile Row Tradition Savile Row, located in the heart of London, is world-renowned for being the birthplace of bespoke tailoring. This prestigious street has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century, with skilled tailors and ateliers crafting garments that have been worn by royalty, celebrities, and the elite of society. The bespoke tailoring tradition of Savile Row is not just about creating clothing; it is about offering a personal, custom experience that reflects the individual's unique personality and style. Daniel Hanson Savile Row © Daniel Hanson The Daniel Hanson Approach Hanson's philosophy revolves around creating garments that not only fit perfectly but also make a statement of quiet luxury. He focuses on classic yet contemporary styles, embracing the elegant British aesthetic while pushing the boundaries of what modern tailoring can achieve. Every garment produced under the Daniel Hanson name is made with a meticulous attention to detail, using the finest fabrics and materials, sourced from the best mills in the world. What sets Daniel Hanson apart is his dedication to the craft of bespoke tailoring. From the initial consultation to the final fitting, Daniel takes the time to understand the client's vision, incorporating their preferences and lifestyle into the design process. His team of skilled artisans uses time-honored techniques—hand-cutting patterns, hand-stitching, and canvas construction—ensuring each suit is a work of art. The result is a collection of garments that combine comfort with style, sophistication with versatility. Daniel Hanson's creations are designed to stand the test of time, both in terms of their physical durability and their ability to transcend fleeting fashion trends. Nicholas Hanson photographed at Daniel Hanson on Savile Row © Lee Sharrock © Lee Sharrock An antidote to Fast Fashion In a world where fast fashion often dominates, Daniel Hanson remains steadfast in its commitment to the art of bespoke tailoring, luxury materials and a commitment to creating unique pieces that last forever. The brand is a testament to the enduring appeal of craftsmanship and quality. As part of the Savile Row legacy, Hanson has managed to carve out a niche that respects tradition while appealing to a new generation who love unique fashion that represents creativity, craftsmanship and innovation. Nicholas Hanson told me: 'I don't think I'm nostalgic. I'm optimistic for the future, but I look to the past. I love the original Coco Chanel, Salon style. Think William Morris meets Jimi Hendrix and you get the eclectic vibe of Daniel Hanson. Explore the Daniel Hanson collaboration with Sir Paul Smith here. Daniel Hanson x Paul Smith Behind The Tapestry - THE FIRST JACKET. Image Courtesy of Daniel Hanson Image Courtesy of Daniel Hanson
