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      How I got my job as… Arts & Events Manager at Dubai’s ICD Brookfield Place

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      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      2 hours ago

      Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
      This week we chat with Malak Abu-Qaoud, Arts & Events Manager at ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC. Malak’s fresh and innovative perspective has allowed her to curate exhibitions featuring renowned artists, transforming ICD Brookfield Place into a platform that captivates audiences and pushes boundaries.
      By transcending into the innovation, ICD Brookfield worked with Prada, in collaboration with renowned English artist Damien Hirst. Malak presented Prada’s eighth iteration of Prada Mode, a travelling social club that provides members with a unique art experience, combined with music, dining, and conversation.
      Known for her keen eye and constant innovation in the space, Emirates Woman spoke to her to see her journey as an events curator and how it has evolved with time.
      What was your favourite subject at school?
      Art was my favorite followed by theater and English literature.
      What was your first job?
      When I was 9, I was hired by a tech-education platform that taught children school subjects in an interative manner using cartoon characters. I used to narrate some of these characters and at one point I had the opportunity to present the company to Bill Gates. In college, I took on part-time jobs in retail. This helped me build my communication skills and understand how to interact with people from different walks of life.

      What brought you to Dubai?
      My sister moved here a few years before I did, after visiting her I made the decision to move a few months later to be closer to my family. I was living in Montreal prior to Dubai, so I didn’t get to see them as often as I do now.
      What inspired you to enter the arts space and talk us through your role as Arts & Events Manager for ICD Brookfield Place?
      Growing up, I was always inspired by my sisters. They studied Fine Art, and I knew I wanted to end up in the creative field as well. I started my career as an intern at an art consulting and production agency in Montreal where I was eventually hired full-time; during my time there I learned how to work closely with artists, produce exhibitions and create a community. When I moved to Dubai and joined ICD Brookfield Place, I applied a lot of what I learned over the years to my role here. I now run the Arts & Events in the building where my team and I curated public exhibitions and program the cultural placemaking initiatives within ICD Brookfield Place.
      Talk us through some of the exhibitions that take place at ICD Brookfield Place?
      Over the past 3 years, we’ve hosted some fantastic shows at ICD Brookfield place. Each exhibition is different, but overall, we try to shift our focus on regional talent and exhibit shows that are accessible to the public and reflect culturally significant events. Some of our highlights include our partnership with Perrotin Gallery, which showcased the iconic Takashi Murakami for the first time in the UAE. Another is the visionary exhibition entitled: Do Arabs Dream of Electric Sheep? Curated by Adam Haj Yahia who explored alternative narratives of understanding the Arab world. Lastly, Tasmeem, it is our annual community-driven graphic design poster show that focuses on young and creative talent across the region.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      I find that key elements of my role are creating partnerships with galleries and working closely with artists and creatives. This helps foster our existing community while allowing it to grow further. With each show at ICD Brookfield Place, we hope to give artists a platform to showcase and express their work while cultivating a community of creatives across the region.
      Talk us through your daily routine.
      I start each morning with a workout session at 1Rebel, our wellness gym, or at Reform Athletica for Pilates. This is followed by a coffee catch-up with my colleague Yasmine. We run through our upcoming events and brainstorm new ideas. My days are usually packed with back-to-back meetings but sometimes I get some time away from the office to run around the city visiting artists, galleries and creatives.
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      Try different things to find what drives you, work hard, and keep learning. Every experience has always led me to new opportunities one way or another, you just have to keep an open mindset and be patient. Don’t ever take no for an answer!

      What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
      That you don’t need to be the best at everything. Hone in on your skills and excel in what you’re great at, the best work is always a tribute to good teamwork.
      And what is the worst?
      “Fake it till you make it” I think the intention suggests that by imitating confidence and an optimistic mindset you eventually become those things. However, in my opinion, you need to work hard, keep learning, make mistakes, and slowly you will figure things out. Through these experiences you will find confidence in yourself and in the work you do.
      What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
      With joining ICD Brookfield Place, my main objective was to create a cultural program for Public Art and Placemaking. The image of the building being a corporate space made it difficult to produce a program that artists felt comfortable being a part of. With time, the industry began to trust me. The success of the program helped build confidence in my abilities as a curator and within myself. Over time, as an Arts and Events team, we have created exciting work that has pushed the boundaries of a corporate setting by encouraging dialogue about real-world issues. Over the past 3 years, we’ve built an engaging and growing community that attends our shows, talks, and events. We’ve become known in the community as a host of an incredible lineup of unprecedented events that really shake the city.

      What’s planned for the future of the space?
      There’s a lot planned for the upcoming season. An artist residency and exhibition in partnership with Tabari Artspace showcasing three talented emerging artists, Talal and Ziad AlNajjar and Miramar Muhd which is on display until October 20th 2023. Followed by two large site-specific artworks in November by Kuwaiti visual artist Monira AlQaderi which focuses on sustainability and the environment.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied  More

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      5 things Zayn Malik opened up about in his first public interview after six years

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      Emirates Man

      by Ruman Baig
      4 hours ago

      Pakistani-British singer, Zayn Malik, is known for being notoriously private. His first public appearance in six years allowed his fans to get a glimpse of the man beneath the mystery.
      At all 17, Zayn Malik became an overnight sensation with four other British boys when One Direction was born. Thanks to Simon Cowell, The X Factor judge of the time who spotted these talented boys and clubbed them together in a band.

      After tasting the height of success and fame at an early age, Zayn was the first to venture out alone. His journey as a solo artist hasn’t been like that of a regular pop star — the Pillow Talk singer, despite the success he found in his solo stint, decided to step away from the limelight when it cost his mental health.

      In a modern world, where fame is fleeting and icons are always changing, it is refreshing to see an artist who is purely around for the love of the art. Recently, the 30-year-old singer appeared as a guest on Alex Cooper’s popular podcast, “Call Her Daddy” before the release of his summer single, “Love Like This” where he opened up about his life in the last few years and the reason behind reappearing in front of the world.

      In an hour-long conversation with Alex, the Dust Till Dawn singer covered a lot of grey areas and speculations around his life. Here are the top 5 things that stood out in this interview.
      Why he left the band
      It broke the hearts of millions of fans when Zayn Malik decided to leave the beloved British band, One Direction. Although everyone knows what happened next, nobody knew what led to it. Shedding the light on this turning point of his life, the singer said, “I had been thinking about it for a hot minute. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, there’s a lot of politics, pressure and I decided to come ahead of it by taking this decision. It might sound cheesy, but before I quit the band, I called up my mum and asked if she still got a bed for me back home and when said come back home son, I went ahead and did it. also, as an artist, I wanted to make music about more mature and deeper stuff which wasn’t necessarily the demographic of the band.”
      How becoming a parent changed him
      Zayn shares a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Khai, with his supermodel ex Gigi Hadid. The former couple welcomed this daughter in September 2020, after which they split in 2021 and have been co-parenting her ever since. “As an adult, your life tends to become grey and monotonous, she added the colour back into her life. I have my daughter with me for 50% of the time and when she is with me, all of my time is dedicated to her.”
      Dealing with anxiety in the present
      Even at the pinnacle of his fame, Zayn was one of the few artists who was vocal about his mental health struggles. Whether it was about cancelling his musical tours or stepping away from the overwhelming world of fame. Today, as he is about to share new music with his fans, he is also making an attempt to reconnect with the world. “I am doing this for my daughter, learning how to deal with my anxiety and speaking in public. I want her to know that her dad can overcome his fears and do things and set that example for her.”
      Importance of leading a quiet life
      Unlike other celebrities who live in LA or New York, the StoryOf My Life singer chose to raise his daughter in Pennsylvania. Away from the hustle-bustle and the shutterbugs, he prefers to protect the privacy of his child by giving her a normal life. “She didn’t choose this life, I did. I at least want her to have an option in the future. I am able to do normal things with my daughter here, which would be difficult to do with cameras flashing all the time. It’s a quiet life with a lot of farm animals. I have three cats, three dog, three turtles and six chickens.”
      Remaining unfazed by the media narrative
      After his breakup with ex-Gigi, the media was quick to build a narrative positioning him as the bad guy. According to many news outlets, the breakup was a result of an altercation between the singer and his partner’s mother, reality star, Yolanda Hadid. Although, neither of the parties confirmed the incident, the internet held him accountable. While sensitively bringing up the subject during the podcast, Alex asked him if there was any merit to the rumour and did it affect his share in custody. Respecting all the parties involved, he cleared the air. “I have 50% custody of my daughter and it wouldn’t have been the case if things said in the media were true. I don’t believe in giving explanations about myself, especially to people who don’t know me. The people who do, know what happened. It was a family matter and I wanted to address it privately. I didn’t want my daughter to grow up reading this as a subject that was discussed in public.”
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram @zayn_br and @onedirection More

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      Zendaya takes over Coachella as a surprise performer

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      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      3 hours ago

      Zendaya is not a jack of all trades, she is pretty much a master of everything she does. Case in point: The Euphoria star joined artist Labrinth on stage as they performed popoular tracks from the show at the Coachella music festival.
      The Emmy-winning actor, who is also a singer, hasn’t performed live for almost six years. This was until she broke the internet over the weekend, by singing not just one but two tracks (All For Us andI’m Tired) from the crowd-favourite HBO show.

      “Thank you all for welcoming me back on that stage with open arms. It’s been a very long time, so I appreciate it. I have never heard screaming like that in my entire life. As soon as I turned the corner, I couldn’t hear anything.” The Dune star acknowledged her fans and their heartfelt response to her performance in a series of Instagram stories. She also thanked Labrinth for making this iconic moment happen in the eleventh hour. “Thank you to Lab for inviting me and making all this happen so last minute.”
      Fun fact: Zendaya isn’t just the soul of Euphoria as Rue, but she also plays a poignant part in making the music for this infamous series. Apart from originally singing All For Us, she has also co-written Still Don’t Know My Name, alongside Labrinth and Muzhda Zemar-McKenzie.
      Taking a 360° pivot from her style on the show, Zendaya wore a flirty pink mini dress on a white tank top and clubbed it with a pair of thigh-high boots.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images:Instagram  More

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      Eco-artist Natalia Kapchuk on championing creativity and the causes close to her heart

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      What does the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      The first 30 minutes of my mornings are dedicated to self-care and setting a positive tone for the rest of my day. I usually start by drinking a glass of lemon water to hydrate my body and flush out any toxins from my system. Then I do a quick yoga routine to stretch my muscles and calm my mind. I find that starting the day with physical activity helps me feel energized and focused. After yoga, I have a healthy breakfast, usually consisting of oats and fresh fruits, or if I’m on the go, a quick smoothie will suffice. I make sure to fuel my body with nutritious food to keep me going throughout the day. And as an eco-artist, I’m also conscious of my impact on the environment, so I try to eat seasonaland locally sourced products, I avoid single-use plastic as much as possible.
      Tell us more about the concept behind The Lost Planet series.
      I’ve always been passionate about using my art to raise awareness about environmental issues and the impact that human activity has on our planet. The inspiration for my series The Lost Planet came from my growing concern about the degradation of our environment and the loss of biodiversity. I wanted to create a visual representation of the beauty of our planet and its collision with the impact that human activities are placing on it. I believe that art has the power to evoke emotions and stimulate change, and I wanted to use this power to raise awareness about the urgent need for us to protect our planet.
      What eco-friendly techniques or materials have you employed in the process of creating pieces for The Lost Planet series?
      I take great care in selecting my materials, blending natural elements like sand, volcanic stone, ash, crystals, fermented moss, dry flowers, tree bark, and more with industrial materials such as resin, resi-crete, paint, metal leaf, and fiberglass alternatives, expressing the interconnectedness of our world. The result in my opinion is a mesmerizing combination of textures, colours, and contrasts. In my piece Plastic Network (2019), for example, I invite observers to reexamine their actions and their impact on the world. This installation was created using single-use plastics, and The Lost Planet series as a whole, highlights the urgent need for change and is a love letter to my adoration of nature and discovery. For all who are able to attend, I welcome you to witness my latest exhibition, The Lost Planet at the architectural marvel that is the ME Dubai Hotel, designed by the late Zaha Hadid. This iconic structure will serve as a fitting backdrop to display my artworks and create a one-of-a-kind experience. The private view of the exhibition will take place on February 28, while public viewing will be open from March 1 to 28, 2023. I am confident that the combination of this stunning venue and the powerful messages instilled within my art will leave a lasting impression.
      What do your artworks represent and what are you hoping for it to achieve?
      My artworks represent my deep-rooted concern for the environment and my desire to raise awareness about environmental issues through my creative prowess. I know that I may often sound like a bit of a broken record, but I am a firm believer that art has the power to evoke emotions and stimulate thoughts, making it a powerful tool for creating change. My mixed media artworks highlight the pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, plastic pollution, and wildlife extinction – the list goes on sadly, that the world is facing today. I use a blend of materials, such as recycled objects, natural fibres, and re-claimed woods and elements to reflect the harm we are causing to the planet and the need to restore it to its natural state. Through my art, I hope to inspire individuals to act toward a more sustainable future. I believe that by raising awareness and encouraging people to question their daily habits and consumption patterns, we can create a ripple effect that leads to larger-scale change. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my artworks goes towards environmental organizations and initiativesdear to my heart working towards a greener future. I aim to use my art not just as a means of spreading awareness but also as a sourceof funding for environmental causes that I am passionate about.

      Where do you draw inspiration from?
      I draw inspiration from the world around us, as I am particularly drawn to the beauty and majesty of nature, and the delicate balance between all living things. Through my work, I aim to capture the essence of the natural world and convey the message that we must all work together to protect it. Whether by the vibrant colours of a sunset, the intricacies of Earth’s flora, or the vastness of the heavens, the world around us is full of inspiration for those who seek it.
      Where do you source your materials from and how challenging was it to refine this process?
      A vast majority of my designs utilize sustainable and eco-friendly materials that I source through a variety of channels. These items include recycled plastics, reclaimed wood, other discarded materials, and more. I find immense love for upcycling and repurposing these materials, giving them new life through my art. I can admit that the process of refining my materialscan be challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding. I say this because selecting materials that are safe for the environment and do not contribute to the ongoing problem of plastic pollution is important to me. This often requires me to spend time researching the materials and their sources, as well as experimenting with different techniques to create the desired effect. I also have to be mindful of the limitations of the materials and how they will hold up over time, especially since I want my art to last for generations. Despite the challenges, I believe that the work I am doing is important and has the potential to make a real impact on the world. It’s a journey that I am proud to be on and I am excited to see where it will take me next.
      What have you learnt in the brand-building process and what advice would you give to those wanting to carve out their own pioneering career path?
      Hmm. Great question. What I have learned throughout my career is that branding is crucial in building a successful career in the art world, or any realm for that matter. A strong and unique brand helps to differentiate you from others and establishes your credibility while setting you apart as an expert in your field. In my journey, I have learned that it’s vital to have a clear understanding of your artistic vision and to stay true to it. This will help you to develop a consistent and recognizable style that is easily identifiable with your brand. It’s also important to actively promote your work, through social media, exhibitions, and collaborations with other artists. This can help to build your network and increase exposure to your work. One of the most important things I have learned is to never stop learning and growing. This means constantly experimenting with new techniques and materials and staying up to date with the latest developments in the art world. It’s important to be open to new ideas and perspectives and to be willing to take risks and push the boundaries of your artistic practice. My advice is to be passionate and persistent. Building a successful career in the art world takes time and hard work. Focus on your art, and never be afraid to take chances or to make mistakes. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your vision and never stop striving to improve your craft.
      How have you found social media has supported your brand growth and your advocacy?
      I have found social media to be a valuable tool in supporting my brand growth and advocacy. It allows me to showcase my work, reach a wider audience, and most importantly raiseawareness about environmental issues. Social media has helped me establish a strong online presence and expand my reach through hashtags and tagging relevant individuals and organizations. Through consistent engagement and a commitment to my message, I have been able to make a real impact and reach new audiences. Throughout your career in the art space so far, are there any difficulties you’ve faced? As a female contemporary artist in the art space, I have faced several challenges throughout my career. One of the biggest difficulties has been navigating the competitive and often maledominated art world. As a woman, I have faced obstacles in terms of recognition and representation. Another challenge I have faced is balancing the business side of my art with the creative side. Running a successful art career involves a lot of administrative and financial work, and it can be difficult to find the time and energy to focus on both my art and the behind-the-scenes tasks required to run a business. That’s why I have surrounded myself with a strong team to make this process easier. I have also faced the challenge of staying true to my artistic vision while still appealing to a wider audience. It can be tempting to compromise my style or message to fit into what is currently popular or in demand, but it’s important to stay true to what I believe in and what sets my work apart.
      How did you develop your signature mixed-media assemblage technique?
      I developed my signature mixed-media style through a combination of experimentation, exploration, and intuition. My approach to art is rooted in a deep appreciation for the environment and a commitment to sustainable practices. This led me to experiment with using a range of materials and techniques to create unique and thought-provoking pieces that explore the relationship between humans and nature. I started incorporating different materials, such as recycled and found objects, into my work to create a more layered and textured visual experience. Over time, I honed my technique, becoming more confident in my ability to seamlessly integrate different materials and techniques into a cohesive whole. Through trial and error, I discovered the power of combining different textures and materials to create a multi-dimensional visual experience that engages the viewer on multiple levels. This led to the development of my signature mixed-media assemblage technique, which has become a defining characteristic of my work.
      This is The Style Issue – what does style mean to you?
      Personal style to me is about making informed and responsible decisions in how we present ourselves to the world. It is also about making conscious choices and taking a stand against the fast-paced and often unsustainable fashion industry, recognizing the impact our fashion choices place on the environment. Style transcends mere physical appearance and becomes a symbol of one’s individuality, showcasing who they are and what they stand for.
      March’s – The Style Issue – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More