Latest news with #ArabNewsJapan
Arab News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
teamLab Phenomena opens in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: teamLab Phenomena opened its doors in Saadiyat Cultural District on Thursday, promising visitors a unique immersive experience. The Japanese multi-sensory art experience features huge transformative exhibits that aim to engage the senses of sight, sound and touch while encouraging guests to interact with the world around them. Divided into dry and wet zones, teamLab Phenomena is set to be 'somewhere where you can feel that the world is continuous, and to feel that continuity itself,' according to founder Toshiyuki Inoko. Divided into dry and wet zones, teamLab Phenomena is set to be 'somewhere where you can feel that the world is continuous, and to feel that continuity itself,' according to founder Toshiyuki Inoko. (Supplied) While it first opened in Jeddah in June last year, Inoko said that although the two experiences overlapped visually, the Abu Dhabi experience would be unique. 'Phenomena depicts ambiguous boundaries, or this idea that even if people enter an artwork and break it apart, it repairs itself. Or also transcending the notion of mass and floating material,' he said. Speaking to Arab News Japan, teamLab's global director, Takashi Kudo, said the Abu Dhabi experience introduced a brand-new concept — 'environmental phenomena.' This is rooted in triggering perception through natural yet unexplained phenomena, he explained. 'In one of the installations, water flows around visitors' feet, responding in real-time to their movements, illustrating how the environment and the individual are in constant dialogue,' Kudo said. 'We're not showing things that can be described in words. Instead, we're sharing something we feel is beautiful and that we hope people will experience emotionally. In the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, teamLab is just one of the pieces that make up the UAE's growing arts and culture hub. (Supplied) 'When you're inside a teamLab space, you're not just seeing something, you're part of it. Your presence changes the art, and someone else's presence changes your experience. It's not about observing from the outside. It's about feeling with your body and connecting with others in that shared space.' Giving the examples of the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms or the shifting colors of a desert sunrise, he added: 'Life is full of small phenomena. We don't know if people will like it or not. But we want to awaken curiosity because curiosity makes life beautiful.' In the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, teamLab is just one of the pieces that make up the UAE's growing arts and culture hub. The chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Al-Mubarak, described the district as a 'puzzle or a beautiful painting.' 'Whatever way you look at it, it consists of these institutions, these cultural institutions, that all sort of continuously redefine themselves … It's all sort of based on you as an individual,' he said. Comprising seven museums and cultural institutes including the Louvre, Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum, Al-Mubarak said the architecture of the buildings was intentional and represented elements of the UAE. 'When you look at the architecture of the buildings of these museums, they are themed. They are a celebration of our culture and heritage. All of our buildings in the district have subtle metaphors to our heritage,' he said. Visitors can see 12 artworks at the Abu Dhabi space, including the 'Levitation Void' and 'Massless Suns and Dark Suns.' Each exhibit relies on real-time depictions and complex algorithms to ensure no two experiences are the same.
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Culture minister launches Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025
OSAKA: Saudi Arabian Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan opened the Kingdom's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka on Sunday. The pavilion, the second largest after Japan's own, highlights the kingdom's rich history, innovation and future. The Saudi minister expressed his appreciation for Japan's 'excellent organization of Expo 2025, its warm hospitality, and its unwavering cooperation in providing all facilities and support to ensure the success of the Kingdom's pavilion at this international event.' He highlighted the special relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan as the two countries celebrate 70 years of bilateral relations and invited guests to visit the pavilion to 'discover the authenticity of our heritage, our ambitious transformations, and our rich culture that is open to the world.' During the ceremony, the Saudi flag was raised in the presence of Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Japan. 'We are delighted to inaugurate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which operates under the slogan 'Discover Saudi Arabia.' Through the pavilion's ambitious design, we highlight the many shared qualities and harmony between the Kingdom and Japan,' he said. The opening ceremony was also attended by Hamed Fayez, vice minister of culture and chairman of the Executive Committee for the Kingdom's Participation in International Expos, as well as Rakan Al-Touq, assistant minister of culture. The pavilion offers an immersive experience that sets out the Kingdom's journey under Vision 2030 and highlights cities and villages that reflect its culture and heritage. • This article also appears on Arab News Japan
Arab News
11-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
From Dubai to Osaka to Riyadh: Expos mark decade of global dialogue, says UAE official
DUBAI: The move of expos from Dubai to Osaka and soon to Riyadh presents a 'unique opportunity to shape a decade of global engagement' in the Middle East and Asia, according to Shihab Al-Faheem, the UAE pavilion commissioner general. The sequence of the three locations 'offers continuity for themes such as innovation, sustainability, and cultural dialogue,' Al-Faheem said in an interview with Arab News Japan. 'It also strengthens connections between our countries. The UAE, Japan, and Saudi Arabia each bring distinct strengths and perspectives,' he added. 'By working together through these global platforms, we can create long-term partnerships that deliver meaningful outcomes for people and the planet.' Al-Faheem, who is also the UAE's ambassador to Japan, said the Osaka-Kansai Expo this year carries special meaning for the Gulf country. The UAE's first expo journey began in Osaka more than five decades ago, and the commissioner-general explained that returning to Japan was 'an opportunity to continue engaging with the world and to contribute to shaping a future grounded in cooperation and collective progress.' As the baton was passed from Dubai Expo 2020 to Osaka, Al-Faheem said the most important insight the UAE valued was that of creating experiences that are immersive, inclusive and people focused. 'We also learned that strong logistical planning and a flexible, responsive approach are essential to hosting a successful expo,' he told Arab News Japan. 'We believe these lessons will resonate with Japan as it welcomes the world in 2025.' When it comes to the UAE's participation in Osaka this year, the country's pavilion will continue its 'immersive and multi-sensory journey' giving visitors a chance to 'engage on an emotional and intellectual level.' The UAE Pavilion's theme is 'Earth to Ether,' which expresses the Gulf country's journey from a heritage rooted in the land to a future defined by innovation. With sustainability and technology in mind, Al-Faheem said the pavilion uses eco-conscious materials such as Datecrete and palm-based architectural elements to reflect environmental values. 'The content of the pavilion also showcases our leadership in clean energy, smart healthcare, and space technologies,' the ambassador said. The architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Emirati structures and uses materials from the date palm. Inside the pavilion, visitors will be able to experience stories that reflect the UAE's values and vision for the future. Given that the UAE and Japan have both hosted World Expos, Al-Faheem said that this has allowed the two countries to strengthen 'an already deep and multifaceted relationship. These global events provide a powerful platform to showcase shared values and to develop partnerships across sectors such as energy, education, culture, and technology.' The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 is expected to honor the relationship between the two countries and create new opportunities for joint initiatives. Al-Faheem said he hopes that through the upcoming expo, the UAE will be able to deepen people-to-people ties with Japan and to create cultural and educational exchanges. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will run from April 13 to Oct. 13, with an official opening ceremony on April 12. • This article also appears on Arab News Japan
Arab News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia completes pavilion preparations for Expo 2025
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has completed the construction and preparations of its pavilion for Expo 2025, which will open in Osaka on April 13. Featuring more than 700 events and activities, the pavilion will aim to provide an immersive experience for visitors. It will highlight Saudi Arabia's cultural and innovative landscape, while also unveiling new initiatives designed to encourage the Japanese public to explore and connect with the Kingdom. Over the past two months, the Saudi Pavilion launched a tour of seven Japanese cities that offered local communities and tourists a chance to enjoy Saudi hospitality and explore the Kingdom's culture. • This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan
Arab News
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Ambassador to Japan highlights the country's attractions ahead of Osaka Expo
TOKYO: Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr attended the Tokyo stop of the 'Meet Saudi Arabia Tour' to promote the Kingdom's pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo, which opens on April 13. The tour — held in various parts of Japan — aims to show how Saudi Arabia is not just a distant place, but a relevant and engaging destination for all. Ambassador Binzagr, emphasizing the unique aspects of Saudi Arabia's 'rich culture and a fascinating history,' believes these elements have a special appeal to the people of Japan. 'We have beautiful, exciting things to showcase, but this is just a small glimpse of what we have to show about the past, the present and the future of Saudi Arabia,' Ambassador Binzagr told Arab News Japan. 'There are lots of things that you can touch and feel about our culture, from our heritage, from the emotion of our cities today and our life in the midst of a very exciting transformation that we are undergoing in Saudi Arabia.' The Tour offers visitors a chance to experience various aspects of Saudi culture, including Saudi Arabian coffee and date pairing, a cooking demonstration of traditional sweets, and traditional Saudi music and costumes. 'We're counting down to the last days before our opening in Osaka,' Ambassador Binzagr said about the Expo. 'We're almost completed and ready. I had the privilege of touring the site two days ago, and the final touches are being made now. With glimpses of the future we're heading towards, I am very excited to welcome everyone to Osaka.' One of the main themes of the Saudi Arabian pavilion is the building itself. The pavilion has been described as a 'masterpiece' and is said to embody the flow of Saudi Vision 2030 and the transformation from past to future, sensitivity to the environment, and design elements that blend heritage with technology and vision. 'Looking at it, I see the transformation of Saudi Arabia and what's happening in our vibrant country,' Dr. Binzagr said. 'But our focus is not just on the present, but also on the promising future of Saudi Arabia. We want to inspire people with the potential and relevance of our future. We want people to see a sample of it so that they think not just about joining us in Osaka, but beyond that to visiting our country.' Thematically, it projects an invitation to the world to step inside Saudi Arabia and to experience it. The building itself aims to reflect harmony – melding the desert environment with architectural aspects that both shield people from nature's elements and celebrates those elements at the same time.
