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

The beachfront resort currently features 138 sea view guestrooms over seven floors. Spearheaded by Dubai-based architectural firm Rice Perry Ellis, there are plans to build an adjacent wing to house an additional 163 guestrooms, bringing the total number to 301. Of these, 18 are designated as suites including two Royal Suites, each providing more than 180 square meters (1,937 square feet) and offering a 180-degree panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf.

All guest rooms will be equipped with the finest bedding experience, state-of-the-art technology including wireless and wired internet access, iPod docking stations, flat screen televisions and DVD players as standard to enable guests to both work and relax in their rooms. Located on the third floor of the new wing is The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, offering six complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day and dedicated multi-lingual concierge service.

As the new wing is located away from the resort’s guestrooms and recreational facilities such as the Spa and swimming pools, General Manager Andrew Nasskau believes the impact will be minimal. “We are mindful of the effect that the expansion programme will have on our guests and we will make every effort to ensure that their comfort and enjoyment will not be compromised,” he says. “All our rooms and suites will still be occupied for the next two years, and the only areas that will be closed are La Baie, the spa pool and garden in front of the new wing.”

To capitalize on the requirements of corporate travellers, the resort will boast sizable meeting and function space to include an 800-square-meter (8,640-square-feet) grand ballroom that is divisible by six, a boardroom and three multi-purpose function rooms. In total, the resort will offer 1,160 square meters (12,528 square feet) of meeting space, all of which will be equipped with the most advanced technology. In addition to a world-class audio and visual set-up, the hotel’s Technology Butler, floral artist services and a dedicated catering and conference team ensures a seamless experience for all meetings and events.

Culinary offerings will be enhanced by the 10 new private dining rooms within an enclosed solarium in the Italian specialty restaurant Splendido, and the signature restaurant La Baie will be revitalized by a new concept and a larger dining space. During the day, sun-worshippers may enjoy the fresh look of the Pool Bar & Grill Pavilion which can accommodate up to 100 guests around the new swimming pools.

The new wing will feature the resort’s famed landscaped gardens including new outdoor swimming pools and a terrace. A 2,020 square meters (21,743 square feet) Spa and Fitness Center, with separate entries for men and women, will showcase a fully equipped gymnasium, beauty salon and 13 private treatment rooms.

The Emirate dominated the Best Resorts in the Middle East category, occupying the top 4 positions. The Burj Al Arab came first, followed by the Madinat Jumeirah, the One & Only Royal Mirage, and the Ritz Carlton. The Hyatt Regency was ranked 10th.

In the Best Hotels in the Middle East category the Jumeirah Beach Hotel was ranked number one. Other hotels receiving top marks were the Park Hyatt Dubai (3rd), Grand Hyatt Dubai (9th), Jumeirah Emirates Towers (10th), and the Fairmont Dubai (13th).

Over 25,000 readers participated in the survey. The results appear in the November issue of the prestigious magazine.

The Ritz-Carlton and Dar Al Masyaf at the Madinat Jumeirah ranked 35th and 56th in the Top 100 Best Luxury Hotels in the World.

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest online travel community. The Travellers’ Choice Awards were determined by a combination of TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index and traveller ratings.