Painted by over 500 students from five GEMS Education Schools across Dubai the massive work of art took more than 3,000 hours to produce over recent weeks. The giant 36 x 7 metre educational work of art depicts eco-systems and endangered animals and will be exhibited in Mirdif City Centre Galleria for the next few weeks.

It was unveiled at a special ceremony in the Central Galleria of Mirdif City Centre with students involved in the art project enthralling guests with a dance performance based on the environmental themes of the mural. This was followed by displays from Team Extreme, a high tension bungee acrobatic team from Germany and a parade by the Italian Saltambico troupe of entertainers, all watched by thousands of visitors to the new mall.

Mr Yousif Al Ali, Vice President of Mirdif City Centre, described the art project as perfectly in line with the mall’s core ideals of engaging the community and making a commitment to the environment: “Sustainability and our community are two fundamentals of Mirdif City Centre, and this project embodies both these things.

“Involving and educating the next generation on key issues, such as the protection of the environment and endangered species is so important, and what better way to do this than through the medium of art? The expression created by the students will provide the perfect backdrop to celebrate Mirdif City Centre’s opening week and we are pleased to provide a platform to showcase their talent and learning,” added Al Ali.
The mural project involved primary to secondary school students from five GEMS Education Schools – GEMS Royal Dubai School, The Westminster School, Cambridge International School, The Millennium School, and Al Khaleej National School, in addition to participation by Mawaheb from Beautiful People, a charity that helps children with disabilities through art therapy.

The mural is endorsed by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Environment and Water, and the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF), and depicts six different ecosystems – Mountains, Oceans, Desert, Cold/Polar, Tropical Rainforest, Savannah/Grasslands.

Mirdif City Centre opened this week on 16th March with over 350 stores open for business from day one, making it one of the most impressive openings of a mall ever in this region.

Located on the corner of Tripoli Street and Emirates Road, the new AED 3 Billion, 196,000 square metre mall, was completed in just over two years and has been delivered on time, as promised.

Located on the corner of Tripoli Street and Emirates Road, the new AED 3 Billion, 196,000 square metre mall, was completed in just over two years and has been delivered on time, as promised.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a seven-day extravaganza of entertainment is scheduled to welcome the first week’s visitors to the mall, including daily shows with the world-renowned Bungee aerial acrobatic troupe – Team Extreme, the unveiling of a giant community eco-art project, and a host of festival parades and performances.

Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties – the owner and developer of Mirdif City Centre, said: “Mirdif City Centre shows Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ continuing commitment and confidence in Dubai as the leading retail and leisure destination in the Middle East. It has been delivered on schedule, constructed to the highest quality and environmental standards, and is another example of innovation in design and retail planning by Majid Al Futtaim Properties.”

“Our vision for Mirdif City Centre was to create a large mall offering a full range of shops and experiences but with the friendly feel of a community focused environment. It’s a different kind of mall.”

“Mirdif City Centre is in line with the company’s strategy to develop large destination malls in the three most important trade areas of Dubai – Deira City Centre in the heart of Dubai, Mall of the Emirates in the Southern New Dubai area and now Mirdif City Centre to service North Dubai and the Northern Emirates. All three malls can now provide UAE residents and visitors with the fullest range of retailing, leisure and lifestyle choices found in any great city in the world,” added Walichnowski.

The importance of Mirdif City Centre cannot be underestimated, having created over 16,000 jobs in the development and construction process and 5,500 permanent jobs within the mall complex going forward. It will serve a population of 450,000 within a 10km radius, as well as communities across the rest of Dubai and other emirates.

Mr Shahram Shamsaee, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, provided further insight on what makes Mirdif City Centre special: “In a competitive retail market like Dubai, Mirdif City Centre offers the best mix of retail, leisure and entertainment. It provides a distinct point of difference to what else is available, and a testament to this is that the best of both local and international retailers have opened their most successful and recognised brands in Mirdif City Centre.”
The retail mix has been carefully selected to bring customers both popular well-known brands, as well as never-seen-before stores in the region, across retail categories such as fashion, home, services, electronics, entertainment and leisure and as well as essential convenience shopping.

Making their first appearance in the UAE will be the eagerly awaited US brand Pottery Barn, legendary UK fashion label Miss Selfridge, celebrated Australian home-furnishing brand Freedom Furniture, Decathlon, and Office Depot to name a few.

Despite its size, the design of the new mall creates an intimate, warm and welcoming environment. Water features and palms give the impression of an indoor ‘oasis’ that is complemented with plentiful natural light and sophisticated interiors. The mall’s simple but clear layout also provides a logical and understandable flow for visitors that makes navigating Mirdif City Centre easy and convenient.

One of Mirdif City Centre’s distinct points of difference is its approach to sustainability and the environment. Mirdif City Centre will be the first shopping centre in the Middle East to achieve a Gold Rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the sustainability rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Jonathan Emery, Senior Vice President, Project Management, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, highlighted the new mall’s credentials: “We are extremely proud of our achievements in green building and sustainable design, and believe that Mirdif City Centre has set a new benchmark for all malls in the region. The ongoing support for Mirdif City Centre from local residents and government agencies in particular has been phenomenal and the whole team is extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”

Access to the mall is made easy with a sophisticated network of roads, complete with three dedicated bridges allowing convenient access from all directions. While the 7,000 free car parking spaces and twelve entry and exit points means parking is abundant, quick and easy.

Mirdif City Centre aims to become a hub for the greater community of Dubai and is designed to provide a place for people to relax and socialise, as well as enjoy the great shopping and leisure offer.

“The new mall is home to an impressive line-up of over 75 restaurants and cafes with famous names like Tiffinbites and P.F.Chang’s making their debut appearance in the country, as well as regional favourites such as Butcher Shop and Grill, Mango Tree Bistro and Pinkberry,” said Mr. Yousif Al Ali, Vice President of Mirdif City Centre.

“In addition to these, the new mall also provides a range of dedicated services such as community areas, medical clinics, spa services, prayer rooms, personal grooming facilities and a fitness centre that incorporate a perfect balance of public spaces and commercial areas.“

“The entire Mirdif City Centre team is looking forward to welcoming its first customers to this impressive new destination and we are sure they will feel completely at home from day one,” Al Ali adds.

Opening Week Entertainment March 16th- 22nd 2010:

Team Extreme – A unique group of high-tension bungee performers from Germany, who will thrill audiences as they fly around the Mirdif City Centre Galleria at speeds of up to 65km per hour. Team Extreme is the only aerial bungee act in the world and this will be the acrobatic athletes first ever time to Dubai.

Saltimbanco – The ever-popular parade troupe from Italy, who will enchant guests with its performance skills and dazzling costumes.

Community Art Project – Witness the unveiling of an extraordinary community mural project that over 500 students from across Dubai spent more than 3,000 hours painting in recent weeks. The giant 36 x 7 metre educational piece of art is based around eco-systems and endangered animals and will be exhibited in Mirdif City Centre Galleria for two weeks following the launch.

Community Dance Performance – A selection of students involved in the community art project will also enthral guests with a dance performance, based on the environmental themes of the mural.

Giant Video Projection Spheres – These six metre wide state-of-the-art video projection spheres, suspended in the galleria, will screen video footage on the evolution of the community mural project.

Mirdif City Centre Spend and Win March 24th until April 15th – In the weeks following the launch Mirdif City Centre customers could also be in for an additional temptation, with the chance to win any of three Audi cars simply by spending AED 300 or more and entering the draw.

Dubai Fashion Weekend – Hosted at Mirdif City Centre from the 16th-17th April, this event will showcase the stunning line-up of fashion available at the new mall.

Commenting on the announcement, Omer Z. Kaddouri, Senior Vice President UAE of Rotana said: “The essence of Rotana is the diversity in its products and for us to be managing this newest property, which is Rotana’s first property with a beach access in Dubai, makes this statement stronger. Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach’s team, headed by the General Manager Timur Ilgaz, has been working hand in hand with Rotana Corporate Office to ensure all areas of the opening are perfected for the operation of this attractive property”.

“Providing a great location to relax and unwind, this property is part of Jumeirah Beach Residence Complex and will be the ultimate comfort and convenience for great value accomodation” , revealed Timur Ilgaz, General Manager of Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach Dubai.

This world class property offers 301 superb rooms, suites and one presidential suite with their modern designs overlooking the Arabia Gulf Sea. Each of the rooms and suites will have a high-speed internet connection and a variety of amenities and facilities. Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach Dubai features exquisite dining venues including Rosso – Bar, Enoteca & Ristorante – an Italian restaurant with a convivial ambience offering al fresco dining, Benihana an American Japanese Restaurant and sushi bar with al fresco dining, Horizon, Sun Deck the pool bar and terrace, and Atrium the lobby lounge Café.

In addition, the hotel offers the most up to date technology in its 3 meeting rooms all offering daylight, one ballroom with private access, business facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, outdoor temperature controlled swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms.

Located on the Ground floor of Mirdif City Centre, Centrepoint offers a wide selection of product choices across multiple categories within a convenient shopping environment; from furnishings and beauty products, to clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. With a stylishly designed interior that delivers a stress-free shopping environment, Centrepoint also has a toddler play area with a variety of games and early learning play items.

Vinod Talreja, Director of Centrepoint & Chief Executive Officer of Babyshop, said: “We are delighted about this opportunity to extend our offering of exceptional value to shoppers at Mirdif City Centre. It reinforces our ambitious growth plans and supports our strategic objective of being more accessible to our valued customers.”

First launched in Kuwait in 2005, Centrepoint has grown to become one of the largest non-food retail destinations in the Middle East, with 63 stores and a retail space in excess of 3.3 million square feet. The brand has been very successful in the mid-market retail segment with a significant presence across the GCC, Jordan and Egypt.

The variety of products offered at Centrepoint draws from core concepts of Landmark Group including:

• Babyshop – a destination store that caters to all the needs of children in their formative years, from clothing to toys and baby furniture
• Splash – an award winning young, high street brand offering contemporary fashion apparel and accessories for men, women and teens
• Shoe Mart – the largest footwear and accessories retail chain in the Middle East, offering a wide range of affordable, world class brands for men, women and children
• Lifestyle – A well-defined retail concept that imbibes the essence of a woman, offering a wide range of exclusive home decor, furnishing, fragrance, fashion accessories, gifts and many more lifestyle products.
• Beautybay – A complete beauty retail store with a wide variety of international fragrance, cosmetics & skin care brands.

The Centrepoint concept is innovative and unique, mainly because it provides the trendy teenager, families, newlyweds, women of all ages, with one concept, one destination for a wide choice of home-grown and international retail brands. “It is a one-stop shop for the entire family,” added Mr. Talreja.

Mr Abdin Nasralla, Vice President Meydan Hotels and Hospitality Division said “The Meydan and its offering of unique experiences is a gift not only to the racing world, but for all who can appreciate superior service and hospitality excellence. We are especially pleased to open The Meydan in time for this year’s Dubai World Cup where a room at the The Meydan will naturally make this already special occasion a once in a lifetime experience.”

“We’re expecting a lot more visitors and to make sure we can give them the most convenient trip, it was essential to increase the number of spaces too. We have placed them around the three car park levels of the mall including ground,” said Fuad Sharaf, Vice President, Mall of the Emirates.

While the expansion work has been carried out, the traffic flow within the mall has been redesigned for easier access, with more signs and customer service personnel. Customers are urged to take note of the new exits from the mall which will be effective until April. All exits from the mall to Sheikh Zayed Road will be from the ground floor and to Al Barsha from Level 1 of the Carrefour side.

“By the end of April, we expect work on the parking to be near completion, with full access to Al Barsha and Sheikh Zayed Road from all levels. In June, we will also have a brand new taxi drop-off and pick-up area at the north east corner of the mall with a refurbished entrance and lobby,” added Sharaf.

Scheduled to open at the end of the third quarter of 2010, an additional 10,500 square metres of retail space is being added to one of the most popular malls in the UAE.

A project milestone not only for the Kleindienst Group but for the entire World archipelago, Chief Executive Josef Kleindienst was joined by Nakheel Executive Chairman H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem for the official ground breaking ceremony.

Construction has started just one week after FCG’s appointment, confirming earlier claims by Kleindienst that offshore logistical requirements of developing on The World will not hinder progress.

“Exactly two months ago we launched Germany Island with a clear promise to start construction in Q1 of 2010. I am very proud to say we are delivering on that promise. Today FCG started critical foundation stabilisation work. By the end of this year you will start to see the first villas on The World, one of which will be my own home,” said Kleindienst.

“While we are the first developer to begin construction, we are aware of several more that are not far behind us. The World project is very real, it is taking shape as we speak and I firmly believe that when complete it will become the most expensive property in the emirate of Dubai,” he added.

Commenting on the Kleindienst ground breaking, H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said, “On behalf of Nakheel and everyone involved in the creation of The World, I would like to congratulate Mr Kleindienst on this important milestone. We look forward to the successful development of Germany Island into another world class destination in Dubai.”

The soil improvement operation, called ‘vibro-compaction’, involves the use of electric depth vibrators that mechanically agitate and lock the sand particles together down to seabed level (a depth of 18 – 20 metres), to ensure that all construction on the island is stable and sound. The technique is recognised internationally and is a standard procedure in the densification of reclaimed land.

Since The Heart of Europe launched in December 2009 Kleindienst Group has sold 11 villas on Germany Island.

The new stations opening are: Emirates HQ, Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, GGICO (Al Garhoud), Al Karama, Trade Centre, Dubai Marina, and the Ibn Battuta Mall.

The Red Line opened with 10 stations on September 9 2009. The Burj Khalifa Metro Station opened in January 2010.

The remaining 11 stations will open in the ‘following months’.

The RTA also announced that the completion date for the Green Line has been pushed back to August 2011.

‘The initiative has come from the AILF – the International French Bookstore Association. They have requested the backing of all their members to support the French Bookstores in Haiti, which have been destroyed by the recent earthquake’ Renata Sader, Culture and Co owner declared.

‘The French speaking community worldwide has decided to help support the reconstruction of the French bookstores in Port-au-Prince, thus putting forward one of the basic principles of the French speaking cultural lifestyle: solidarity’ she added.

‘With the support of all the French speaking communities in the UAE, we have raised funds on this opening day of our new showroom that will help aid the rebuilding of the French Bookstores in Haiti.’

The opening ceremony was attended by the French Council General in the UAE, Mrs. Nada Yafi as well as representatives from French speaking diplomatic and cultural representations in the country.

With its new location in Oud Metha, in the vicinity of the French schools and French Alliances, Culture & Co aims to encourage book lovers and its supporters to visit regularly, with ease of access.

Within its 200 square meters, the bookstore offers a wide variety of educational, curriculum, historical and entertaining French books. This broad selection provides all levels of reading whether for learning purposes, leisure or lifestyle.

Parents will also be able to order specific books for their school children as well as educational material for people wanting to learn French. Orders may also be placed for any specific requirements that are not found in store.

‘We sent out special invitations to all our friends, partners and clients to celebrate the opening of our new bookstore and contribute to the support we are offering to the Haitian French bookstores’ Sader concluded.

Culture & Co – is the first French bookstore in the UAE, and the only French bookstore in the GCC. Opened in Dubai in April 2006, it caters for the cultural and educational needs of all the French speaking communities in the UAE, with 2 bookstores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It’s aim is to promote the French culture in the region and offers an array of various books and novels for all tastes and ages – including educational multimedia material – , as well as educational material for schools and cultural centres in the GCC.

Culture & Co, Al Nasr Plaza, Oud Metha, PO Box 502104, Dubai
Email: info@culturecodubai.com

Venue: Art Couture gallery. Blue Al Fattan Marine Tower II, JBR, (Between Ritz Carlton & Hilton) The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence.

This exhibition is an insight into three very different approaches to contemporary art by three international artists, who are expressing themselves in their own individualism. The art works include – Abstraction, Abstract Representational Art and Abstract Realism. A scintillating plethora of mixed media, colours and techniques make this exhibition a must see’.

The exhibiting artists are the well known Corine Pagny, Natasha Barnes one of South Africa’s most published abstract artists and Art Couture’s innovative Canadian artist Cynthia ‘Reta’ Richards.

Horses and the Living Model

French artist Pagny revisits Dubai with her new collection of ‘horses’ combining minimalist strokes with dynamic effects. She will also display pieces from her signature collection ‘calligraphies of the body’ where she paints ‘the living model’ The artist uses brushes and bamboo on canvas or paper with inks or acrylics. In the artist’s words “I study human beings with no complexes…The emotions are translated in black or white, the colour is nothing but a pretext, the drawing and the gesture is a need”.

Every Day is a Painting

The natural talent and pure passion for painting of this South African self taught artist is evident in her profound style, exhibiting expressionism, colour and movement. Every painting reflects the artist’s mind, the nuance of her mood, the exhilarating trip into her aesthetic world. Barnes finds inspiration from her travels, transferring her myriad feelings onto canvas. Each piece different, following the mood of the day…….

From Weaving to Woven

Art Couture’s resident Canadian artist exhibits new additions and existing art works from one of her favourite collections ‘From Weaving To Woven’ which is a continuous work of art. The title symbolises the axiom ‘as you sow, so shall you reap’. Strikingly decorative designs captured on paper and canvas jostle alongside woven designs in subtle hues. A depth of meaning unfolds in the woven lines.

Art and Coffee – March 3, 2010 at 10.30am
Horses and the Living Model by Corine Pagny

An amazing live demonstration by French artist Pagny as she paints in her signature style ’the living model’ This well known artist was the invited speaker for a morning and by popular demand an evening coffee morning last year at Art Couture. All those who missed it don’t miss out this time. Register at art@artcoutureuae.com as limited spots available.

Art and Coffee is a monthly event Art Couture organizes as part of its vision and mission of promoting contemporary art in Dubai. Artists, art professors, curators and other guests talk about their expertise areas, once a month. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of art, learn something new, and share your cultural interests over a nice cup of coffee.

For more information visit artcoutureuae.com