Latest news with #TheArtStation
Gulf Weekly
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
All play & no work!
In a time when most children are glued to their screens, it is refreshing to revisit yesteryear games that kept young minds busy for hours. The play not only had entertainment value but also offered scope to think creatively, thus providing endless opportunities to stretch the imagination. GulfWeekly explores some of the games, talking to Bahrain-based artists whose striking creations are immortalising these golden memories. Teela ('marbles') Growing up, these small spheres were a prized possession for many, and safeguarding them was serious business. While many variations of the game exist, a popular style entailed striking a set of marbles in a circle drawn on the ground with a bigger marble. Those with the most displaced marbles won – bagged the loot! 'I remember playing teela and was very good at it,' Saudi graphic designer and resident artist at The Art Station Karim Al Janobi, who has been living in Bahrain for the last 15 years, told GulfWeekly. The 46-year-old Adliya resident's sculptures depicting 'lost' childhood games are currently being exhibited at the venue in Muharraq. The interactive Nostalgia Project employs digital design and 3D printing, where each exhibit has an NFC tag, which, when scanned, displays contextual information and plays authentic audio recordings of children playing at that moment. Dawama ('spinning top') The humble spinning tops provided scope to improve motor skills, hand strength and concentration. Children would wrap a string around the nib-like bottom and then spin it with a force, keeping the top in momentum. 'Dawama is my favourite as it holds so much energy even in stillness. I sculpted it mid-spin, with the fabric of a traditional outfit caught in motion to give it life and momentum,' Karim said. Bahraini artist Mahdi Albannai also has fond memories of the game, which he has brought alive in his bronze sculpture series, which was on display at InterContinental Bahrain during Ramadan. 'Ï had professional friends who were good at the game, we even had our own rules in which the loser would have his spinner broken by the winner, and he would break it with his own spinner,' the 62-year-old noted, adding that the sculptures represent his years growing up in Ras Rumman. Fallatiya ('slingshot') The mechanism of this game was simple, with a rubber band tied to a twig, stretched far back to launch a stone that was aimed at one's target. 'My friends would aim at birds, but I personally did not like to do that because it was too violent and would ask them, 'how about we shoot at geckos instead',' Mahdi revealed. Both artists believe that screen time has encroached upon childhood and, through their sculptures, hope to revive play as a form of entertainment among young minds. 'I was inspired to bring alive my own memories as well as introduce it to the younger generations that did not grow up with these games that we played,' Mahdi said. For his part, Karim realised how many traditional childhood games have quietly disappeared. 'I wanted to not just document them, but bring them back to life in a form that could be touched, heard, and experienced.' Dharoj ('roller') Hoop rolling or trundling encompasses rolling a large hoop along the ground using an object wielded by the player. 'I have fond memories of playing Dharoi (Dharoj in a different dialect) using an old bicycle wheel. We used to make toys out of whatever we could find, fabric scraps, buttons, sticks. There was so much creativity and joy in that simplicity,' Karim reminisced. To give his pieces a realistic look, the self-taught artist spent time with a local tailor where he learned how fabrics behave and he recreated the patterns digitally. Karim widened his research by speaking to his parents and other community elders to shortlist the games for his sculptures. 'Nowadays the kids are mostly glued to their phones, and would be making friends with people from all over the world, while all we had was our neighbours to play with and we relied more on items around us that we were able to turn into games,' Mahdi said. To learn about more traditional games and their sculptures, follow @karimaljanobi and @mahdialbannai on Instagram.
Bahrain News Gazette
05-05-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
UNIDO Launches Creative Orange Economy Year in Collaboration with RAK Art Foundation
Manama: The UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain has announced the launch of the Orange Economy Year, a national initiative celebrating the power of creativity as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development, in collaboration with the RAK Art Foundation. The initiative was announced during a press conference at the RAK Art Foundation, reinforcing the Kingdom's commitment to fostering innovation, cultural leadership, and creative entrepreneurship globally. According to Bahrain News Agency, the Orange Economy, also known as the creative economy, encompasses art, culture, media, design, technology, and heritage industries. This sector is a catalyst for inclusive growth and economic diversification, contributing over $2 trillion to global GDP and supporting 50 million jobs worldwide. A central pillar of the initiative is the UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain Global Call 2025: Creative Orange Economy, a competition inviting entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators to submit creative and sustainable business ideas. This competition is open to participants worldwide, encouraging diverse and inclusive participation across three main categories: Eco-friendly Production, Digital Innovation, Cultural Heritage, and a special category for school and university students to foster young talent. Applications are open until September 1, and selected participants will be recognised at an awarding ceremony in December. The initiative offers access to mentorship, exposure, and potential global partnerships. The Orange Economy Year will also feature conferences, exhibitions, community engagement activities, and workshops focused on fostering innovation, preserving cultural heritage, and connecting Bahrain's creative talent with international markets. In collaboration with UNIDO, the RAK Art Foundation will play a central role by activating its educational arm, The Art Station, as a dynamic platform for creation, learning, and cross-cultural exchange. Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Founder of the RAK Art Foundation, expressed support for the UNIDO in launching the Orange Economy Year. He emphasized the Foundation's mission to support local talent, promote cultural dialogue, and position creativity at the core of sustainable economic development. Through The Art Station, they aim to empower Bahrain's creative community by providing access to mentorship, international networks, and professional opportunities. Dr. Hashim Hussein, Head of UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain, commented on the collaboration with Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, highlighting the transformative power of art. This collaboration underscores the significant role of creativity in fostering economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. By promoting cultural leadership and nurturing creative entrepreneurship, they aspire to position Bahrain as a global epicenter for the Orange Economy.
