ArtBus journeys to the exhibition ...

United Arab Emirates | 19/06/2011

ArtBus travels to ‘Artscape “Neo” Babylon’ to mark the end of ‘Splendours of Mesopotamia’ on 23 June 2011
Supported by TDIC, ArtintheCity will run a final ArtBus to the exhibition ‘Splendours of Mesopotamia’ on 23 June 2011 for the closing ceremony, ‘Artscape “Neo” Babylon’.

Following successful trips to the exhibition ‘Splendours of Mesopotamia’ at Manarat Al Saadiyat in April and May, the ArtBus will once again take passengers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for the accompanying event ‘Artscape “Neo” Babylon’ on the 23rd June 2011. This event will mark the end of the exhibition, which will officially close on the 27th June 2011, and it promises to revive the ancient civilization of Babylon in an evening featuring music, poetry and creative workshops.

‘Artscape “Neo” Babylon’ will offer passengers of the ArtBus a final chance to see ‘Splendours of Mesopotamia’ and to enjoy a range of entertainment drawing inspiration from the exhibition.
The ArtBus will arrive at Manarat Al Saadiyat by approximately 6.30pm, when passengers can join workshops suitable for both children and adults to make their own forms of art inspired by Mesopotamian artefacts.

There will be a special Maqam performance featuring the voice of prominent female singer Farida Mohammed Ali and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble. Described as ‘the mother of all Maqam’, Farida Mohammed Ali is one of only a handful of artists to have mastered the ancient musical discipline of Maqam which is traditionally performed by men. The ensemble honours the Maqam Iraqi music which is deeply rooted in Mesopotamian culture and their performance signifies the role of such traditional music in culture today.

International performer and Syrian poet Omar Al Farra will also recite Bedouin and contemporary poetry to take listeners across generations of Arabic poetry and stories. He will perform six diwans (long poems) in classical Arabic and Bedouin dialect, reflecting his roots in the Beni Sakher tribe.

Organised by Tourism Development & Investment Company, ‘Splendours of Mesopotamia’ tells the story of Mesopotamia through more than 200 ancient treasures, covering the period from 3000 BCE and the three great centres of Mesopotamian civilisation: Sumer, Assyria and Babylon. The exhibition introduces Mesopotamia as the great crossroads where art and literature flourished and where the first long-distance communication and trade took place. Ancient works from the British Museum’s iconic Middle East collection will be shown with objects loaned from the Al Ain National Museum.

The exhibition has been accompanied by a range of public and educational programmes for people of all ages, including panel discussions, workshops and tours of the exhibition.

The ArtBus has already travelled to two such events, visiting the panel discussion ‘National Museum: A Symbolic Identity?’ in April, and to the family-orientated day ‘Artful Afternoon Tea’ in May, with great feedback from passengers attending these events.
Following the below schedule, the ArtBus will have a guide for the journey to Manarat Al Saadiyat and back, and will provide refreshments and information packs to all passengers. Visitors to ‘Artscape “NEO” Babylon’ will also be able to take advantage of a discounted menu that evening at the venue’s popular and elegant Al Fanr restaurant.

Schedule
An evening of live music, poetry and workshops for kids, teens and adults along with one of the last opportunities to visit the Splendours of Mesopotamia exhibition.

ArtBus leaves thejamjar, Dubai at 5pm, arrives at Manarat Al Saadiyat by approximately 6.30pm. From 6.30-10pm participants explore Artscape and all of its activities. Return journey: ArtBus departure at 10pm; arrive back in Dubai by approximately 11.30pm.

Tickets for the ArtBus can be purchased online from www.timeouttickets.com or from thejamjar in Al Quoz. Please call 04- 3417303 or email info@artinthecity.com to reserve a place.
Tickets are priced at AED 50 per person. For more information about the ArtBus contact:
Rachael Brown
Head of Special Projects thejamjar T| 04 3417303 F | 04 3417304
E | rachael@thejamjardubai.com www.thejamjardubai.com

The ArtBus is organized by ArtintheCity and is brought to you by thejamjar. For more information go to
www.artinthecity.com
The ArtBus is supported by TDIC.

About TDIC
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is a master developer of key cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi. The principal goal of its cultural programme, including the creation of the Saadiyat Cultural District - the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions - is to establish an international platform in the UAE for arts and culture. Unprecedented in scale and scope, the Saadiyat Cultural District will include museums such as Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

One of TDIC’s missions is to engage the community in the capital’s urban, cultural and artistic development and help build professional skills and knowledge in the community through a dialogue with representatives from the world’s leading cultural organisations.
Alongside this, TDIC presents a diverse series of art exhibitions and public programmes to further engage audiences in the Saadiyat Cultural District institutions, vision and concept.

About Splendours of Mesopotamia
Splendours of Mesopotamia, which is being held at Manarat Al Saadiyat until 27th June 2011, introduces the history of the ancient civilisation of Mesopotamia, a crucial region in the development of human civilisation. The story of this exhibition will be told through the three great centres of Mesopotamian civilisation: Sumer, Assyria and Babylon and the exhibition showcases 200 priceless objects from these eras.
For more information visit www.artsabudhabi.ae