ZUHAIR MURAD Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2013

Zuhair Murad is one of my favorite fashion designers, an he never disappoints when showing a new collection. 

This Lebanese couturier presented he's new collection spring/ summer 2013,  a tribute to Golden Age, in Paris at Westin Paris Vendôme. A ultra feminine collection, he just transformed women into goddesses, adorning the female form with sophistication and simplicity.

Photos: Zuhair Murad

The models looked like Greek goddesses in the runway, full of gold ornaments and divine motifs, painted by Lemarié workshops with rooster feathers, incredible embroideries (from Maison Lesage and Vermont House), silks and tules, transparencies, sequins and pearls...

Zuhair really knows the women body and it seems effortless the way he transform her into a goddess....classy, sexy but airy, sophisticated, glamorous, chic...OMG! See the fashion show...

El Seed In Doha

A very cool, energetic and unconventional project is going on in Qatar right now! 

Qatar Museums Authority's Public Art Department in partnership with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) commissioned the world renowned graffiti Artist el Seed to start a four-month “calligraphiti” murals project called ElSeedinDoha as part of the big Salwa Road project.

The objective of this project is to paint 52 calligraffiti large-scale panels in four tunnels of Salwa Road, and will feature selected themes inspired by anecdotes from Qatari culture and markers of Qatari life.

el Seed is a Tunisian artist that works with graffiti and street art in a non-traditional way , he grew up in the suburbs of Paris, and since young age showed interest in the graffiti art, Hip Hop and Break Dance. 

In the late 90's he started to graffiti is name on walls. When he moved to North America he started to infuse in is work elements of traditional Islamic calligraphy and graffiti, this way he developed his own distinctive brand signature in Calligraffiti. 

el Seed uses his style to build calligraphy writings on top of each over, with the ability to give beauty and a different identity and aesthetic view to his ideas and messages through the impression of a traveling calligraphy.

The murals in the first tunnel follows the "Liquid Alphabet"calligraffiti style and touch on the National Qatari Anthem, including (as translated) "Travel the high road; Travel by the guiding light of the Prophets" and "Doves they can be at times of peace, Warriors they are at times of sacrifice".

Two days ago, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, visited one of the new tunnels on Salwa Road where the where the first set of Graffittis where finished with the help of volunteers for the 'Calligraffiti"murals project.

The project can be followed in the episodes that are been posted in Youtube. See the first one...

This Doha of mine #2

Muhammad: A Story of God's Messenger and the Revelation That Changed the World - Deepak Chopra

I'm not a religious person, but all these amazing personalities from world religious history like Jesus Christ, Muhammad and many other prophets just fascinates me by their life challenges and incredible stories that changed the world.

Their uniqueness, braveness, commitment, faith, resilient spirit towards their profound believes is absolutely fascinating! 

The fact that I'm living in the middle east, helps to increase the curiosity about Muhammad, which although i knew a little bit about him, made me want to understand better is story and this culture. So, this fictionalized book about the Prophet Muhammad, many times misunderstood, gives truly an engaging approach and humanizes this simple man in a first person narrative, giving a better understanding how this religion was born in the middle of a cradle of tribal turmoil.

The stories the book talks about, shows the sweetness and the strength trough many dimensions of this interesting man: the orphaned child, the businessman, the husband and the father, the oppressed, the self-doubter,the Statesman, the believer and the Prophet.... God goes into Muhammad life, a man with a settled life, given a hard and even dangerous task to convince is people to give up their idols and multiple gods and surrender to this new faith.

From the moment the angel Gabriel enters Muhammad's life, demanding him to recite, its incredible the braveness and resilient spirit of this man that never consider himself as extraordinary but an ordinary simple man. Though life was no longer his own, he never felt abandoned by God, and with each revelation a new way of life and religion was borning.

Truly interesting book of this unknown story (at least for me), giving you a soft and interesting overview of the man itself but also the historical moment lived on that time.

Vista Alegre & Christian Lacroix

The renowned and centenary Portuguese company Vista Alegre Atlantis group has just announced its most recent partnership. This time Vista Alegre joint venture with the french luxury brand Christian Lacroix to create four stunning and exclusive tableware and accessories collections under the name “Butterfly Parade”, “Picassiete”, “Sol y Sombra” and “Fórum” .

The products will be displayed at the Maison&Objet show in Paris which is the most important international show of decoration, design and home tendencies.

The pieces of this new collections  are independent and versatile so they can be combined together or alone.

This partnership will have a duration of five years with the aim to continue to internationalize the Vista Alegre brand in markets like Dubai, USA, Europe, India, China, Russia, Angola and Mozambique.

These first images released  are from the collection: “Butterfly Parade” and “Sol y Sombra”.

I always loved Vista Alegre pieces, and all the partnerships chosen, I'm sure this one will be another great success! I just want them all..... Wish list now....

I AM A KEEPER OF SHEEP- IX - Alberto Caeiro (Fernando Pessoa)

Fernando Pessoa was one of the greatest Portuguese poets/writer (1888-1935) of the 20th century, and had many alter-egos, witch Alberto Caeiro was is first and one of the most famous heteronyms. He used heteronyms instead of pseudonyms, because he wanted to create an entire new identity to each one of them, with their own personality, education, philosophy, political views and writing style, instead of just creating a false name. 

For Alberto Caeiro, the so called "The Sheepkeeper", was a simple and bucolic man, an agnostic shepherd that lived outside of Lisbon, with limited education, where the world is not a place of mystery or meaning, it is what it is, and it is to be absorbed by all other senses.

Fernando Pessoa believes that Alberto Caeiro knows reality better then anyone and does not question anything. He appreciates nature like no other and accepts the world as it is, living in peace and serenity.

And this is one of my favorite poem....

I'm a keeper of sheep.
The sheep are my thoughts
And my thoughts are all sensations.
I think with my eyes and ears
And with my hands and feet
And with my nose and mouth.

To think is to see it and smell it
And to eat a fruit is to taste it's meaning.

That's why on a hot day
When I ache from enjoying it so much,
And stretch out on the grass,
Closing my warm eyes,
I feel my whole body lying full length in reality,
I know the truth and I'm happy.

Alberto Caeiro

KATARA

In Qatar there is a Cultural Village called KATARA, and it’s definitely a place to visit frequently. The name Katara, honours Qatar ancient name and upholds it’s connection to it’s ancient heritage, so “Catara” was the first and most ancient name given to designate Qatar Peninsula in geographic and historical maps, since the year 150 D.

This cultural Village is a project of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and it’s the most multidimensional cultural project of Qatar, you can find in Katara several Qatari organisations with theirs offices there, like Qatar Fine Arts Society, Visual Art Centre, Qatar Photographic Society, Theatre Society and Qatar Music Academy and many others.

Besides this, you have exhibition galleries, concert halls and the amazing Amphitheatre, witch reminds the Greek Theatres. This Amphitheatre is in the middle of Katara and definitely gives the soul to this place, not only by it's location but also by the beautiful architecture.  Many great music and theatre events take place there.

Katara is a place where you will not get bored, so many exhibitions…you can spend the day there just to see them all. If you feel just to chill out there are many restaurants and caffes where you can relax and enjoy the environment.

Right now there are great exhibitions going on, some of them really impressive.

YAN PEI-MING - Painting the History

QMA Gallery, Building10

Until 12 January

Yan Pei-Ming is a Chinese painter, born in 1960 in Shanghai. Since 1982 he has lived in France, Dijon. 

This exhibition aims to tell the story of the world we live in and profiles three types of history makers, the history of assassinated leaders from the 20th Century, 150 amazing portraits of influential Arab Figures and three perspectives on Jacques-Louise David's "Death of Marat" .

You should not miss the opportunity to see this exhibition!!!!

ENCOUNTER

The Royal Academy of Arts in the Middle East

From 06 Dec 2012 to 06 March 2013

Building 19 and 22 -  Gallery 1 and 2

This interesting exhibition, shows the best contemporary art work of 25 prominent artists across the Middle East (witch includes 10 artists from Qatar) and 25 Royal Academicians.

This exhibition was held first in Singapore and then brought to Doha in a revised format.

The idea is to have a direct Encounter between the Royal Academicians and the artist from Middle East, encouraging a cultural exchange.

Great quality, very interesting contemporary work, it's a must see!

QATAR LANDSCAPE with Ahmed Yousef Al-Khulaifi

Ongoing

Katara

Conducted by Qatar Photographic Society, it showcases breathtaking captures of Qatar’s natural beauty and colors.

This exhibition fascinated me...leaving in Qatar, I'm not used to see that much green, and the pictures were absolutely impressive! Great locations, where you can find a quite diverse landscape...amazing colors, incredible details, it made me feel like going to all this places and see it by my self and discover the other side of Qatar!

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra concert at MIA

At the MIA (Museum of Islamic Art) took place, today evening, a fantastic concert, performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and it was a nice way to end the day and also start the weekend....

The Orchestra founded by HH Sheikha Mozah in 2007, has a fantastic group of musicians chosen among the best through auditions held in Europe and Arab countries.  

This mini concert, was superb, but more interesting to see it in such cultural scene like the Museum Atrium, promoting music in such beautiful place, surrounded by art.

The concert was performed by:

Júlia Kórodi, violin

Edita Fabek, viola
Harald Georgi, cello
Claire Glago, boo

With the following program:

J.C. Bach: Quartet in B Flat Major for Oboe and Strings

Hennessy: Four Celtic Pieces for English Horn and String Trio, Op.59
Schubert: String Trio in B Flat Major, D. 581

Arnold: Quartet for Oboe and Strings. Op. 61

Here  you can check the Orchestra program .