Rawdat al-Balabel
In collaboration with AMAR Foundation (Arab Music Archiving & Research), Sharjah Art Foundation presents Rawdat al-Balabel: a series of podcasts about classical Arabic music that consists of 104 episodes posted online over the course of 52 weeks. The series was launched on March 21st, and new episodes are available on our website every Thursday. The series is divided into four programmes: Audition, Our Musical System, History and The Paths of Melody. Each programme consists of 26 episodes. Founded by Kamal Kassar, AMAR Foundation holds the largest and most unique collection of classical Arabic music in the world, containing recordings from the Arab Renaissance period (1903-1930’s). The tenth podcast of Rawdat al-Balabel, "The Dawr part 1" is now available.
Muḥammad Sālim al-Kabīr, image courtesy of AMAR Foundation
Sharjah Art Foundation
The Sharjah Art Foundation brings a broad range of contemporary art and cultural programmes to the communities of Sharjah, the UAE and the region. Since 2009 SAF has built on the history of cultural collaboration and exchange that began with the first Sharjah Biennial in 1993. Working with local and international partners, we create opportunities for artists and artistic production through our core initiatives that include the Sharjah Biennial, the annual March Meeting, residencies, production grants, commissions, exhibitions, research, publications and a growing collection. Our education and public programmes focus on building recognition of the central role art can play in the life of a community by promoting public learning and a participatory approach to art. Sharjah Art Foundation is funded by the Department of Culture and Information, Government of Sharjah.
Sharjah Biennial 11 Highlight
Don’t Cross the Bridge Before You Get to the River, by Francis Alÿs
The Strait of Gibraltar is 7.7 nautical miles wide (13 km) and separates Africa from Europe. If a line of kids leaves Europe and heads towards Morocco, and a line of kids leaves Africa and heads towards Spain, will the two lines meet in the chimera of the horizon?
Francis Alÿs, Don’t Cross the Bridge Before You Get to the River, 2008, in collaboration with Rafael Ortega, installation view
Sharjah Biennial 11 Highlight
composition, by Shiro Takatani
Shiro Takatani, composition, 2013, Fog machine (water, nozzle, pump) and motorised mirror, Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation.
Sharjah Biennial 11 Highlight
Saudi Automobile, 2011, by Sara Abu Abdallah
Sarah Abu Abdallah is seen painting the shell of a wrecked car with light pink paint, a gesture of defiance against Saudi Arabia’s prohibition on women drivers, which makes mobility the exclusive privilege of men.
