Dear friends,

Its that time of year again when Tashkeel seeks out the talented artists living and working in the UAE.

We have now launched a call for work where artists respond to a theme within their work. The title of the exhibition is “Portrait of a Generation.” To download application form and description please check the Tashkeel website:
http://www.tashkeel.org//callforwork.html

Theme:

PORTRAIT OF A GENERATION

The portrait is a device long-used by artists not always to capture a physical likeness of a person but, more significantly, to capture the indefinable essence of that person – character, manner, attitude and their unspoken history and possibly their consciousness – as perceived by the artist.

A well-considered portrait frequently reflects both the cultural and historical context in which the subject lives as well as providing evidence of their physical characteristics and, in doing so, contributes to the visual record of that place and time.

Artists of all nationalities who are resident in the United Arab Emirates are eligible to submit work in response to this call.

We are seeking artworks, in any scale and media, which serve both to encapsulate the personality of the subject and to portray the image of place and time, here and now. We are interested by the potential offered by the application of new technology to reinterpret the traditions of portraiture, whilst at the same time seeking artworks exploring new ways in which conventional portraiture can reflect the current social environment.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2010 – Submission of application
Artists resident in the United Arab Emirates who are interested in applying for this exhibition should submit high resolution images of their work, together with a completed application form, to tashkeel.studio@gmail.com no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 17 February 2010.

Artists may submit a maximum of two works; a series is considered as a single work. A separate application
form must be submitted for each artwork.

Submissions should include:
• A completed submission form
• A description of proposed work
• Technical information for installation, if required
• Maximum of two submissions per artist
• Images of the artwork or the work in progress and all the required information as stated above on CD
or preferably by email
• Files should be saved as: Name of artist-Title of work.JPEG
• Submissions are open to any media of the artists choice
• Only artists living in the UAE are eligible to submit work
• Email subject should be: Portrait of A Generation - Name of artist

For installations, please provide a technical sketch of the proposed idea(s).

On confirmation of acceptance, submissions should be delivered (ready to hang) to:
Tashkeel, Intersection of Street No 20/Street No 5
Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, UAE

MONDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2010
Successful artists will be notified of inclusion in the exhibition by 12 noon on Monday 21 February 2010.

THURSDAY 4 MARCH 2010
All selected artwork, mounted and framed ready for exhibition, must be submitted to Tashkeel by 6 pm on
Thursday 4 March 2010.

Tashkeel reserves the right not to exhibit any work that differs substantially from the initial application.

WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH 2010
Opening of PORTRAIT OF A GENERATION will take place at 7 pm on Wednesday 10 March 2010.

The exhibition will continue in the Tashkeel gallery until Thursday 29 April 2010.

If you have any further questions, please contact tashkeel.studio@gmail.com or call 04-336 3313

Good Luck Everyone.

Looking forward to your submissions.

Tashkeel Admin

upon returning to Dubai after euro romp ’09 I took a look at my school holidays and decided to head back to either Amsterdam or Berlin as soon as possible. I had such a great time in both places and felt there was still much to do and see I couldn’t wait to get back. it was a close call but I opted for Amsterdam to catch up with Noor Wentholt, leather bag designer and founder of Ignoor. you may remember that I threatened to beat down her studio door when I came across her window display in the red light district last August. view post

having contacted Noor about the write up I gave Redlight Fashion and her line I mentioned I may be back in town. lucky for me she was able to squeeze little ol’ me into her schedule during my next visit. really, I am just a woman with a burning desire to seek out interesting and inspired designs and art and a pension for sharing the goods about what I find with you all. Noor seemed to sense that about me and opened up the doors to her studio and office to show me around.

what first caught my eye was the Freyja, her interpretation of the hip bag. without question this bag was coming home with me because I am all about taking the stress off my back and shoulders with heavy handbags. what I didn’t expect was her ingenuity to create a bag that can be used at least three different ways and for any occasion. as expected it can be worn as a belted hip bag, as a satchel over the shoulder and across the body, or as a cute cocktail purse draped over one shoulder and tucked under arm. the flaps of three different size pockets can actually hold that extra garment in case it gets chilly later and for added storage there are two extra compartments hidden along the back panel. no matter how this bag is worn it inevitably molds to the body for added comfort and ease of use. I can even slide my camera case on the belt/strap for easy access!

now that I have found the answer to a midsize handbag I looked toward both ends of the size spectrum. I couldn’t resist the Carme, a small clutch with tiny belted bracelet for hands free enjoyment. it seems so obvious and yet so innovative and fresh. I guess for Noor, whose talents stem from a proud family history of leather craftsmanship, this is second nature or more likely a cathartic release of said talents and ideas.

lastly, I picked up a slightly over sized shoulder bag, Danae, whose side seam mimic those of a woman’s torso and has an asymmetrical base. these details are not just for visual effect but rather they enable the bag to full mold to the female torso when a woman pulls the straps over the shoulder and tucks the bag under her arm. the crescent shape cut from the base makes room for the woman’s hip thereby literally blending the two shapes together. this bag will undoubtedly last a lifetime with its classic shape, strong leather and exquisite craftsmanship. the bag logo and ethos, infinity, proves that Noor not only designs to join heritage quality values with contemporary leather design but that she cares about her customers and the future of the bags once they leave her studio. I can’t begin to relay how honored I was to meet Noor, hang out in her studio and walk away with, not one, but three of her pieces.

Dubai would be a better place for having her innovative designs on the shelves so

if you are interested in stocking Ignoor please contact emily@thestraythread.com

I couldn’t come home empty handed for my husband so I picked up this holster looking wallet too.

on my way to the Blue Mts. in NSW Australia with the Danae and Freayja.

I had the hardest time choosing between these two but in the end I went with the Carme.

Art Sawa has updated their workshop and talk schedules for the New Year so if feeding your brain and nurturing forgotten talents are on your resolution list click anywhere on this post to get more info.

have to hand it to Sheena Matheiken for her ingenuity and perseverance. the fashionista is on day 255 of 365 of wearing the same little black dress. she has seven copies for each day of the week made by her friend and stylist, Eliza Starbuck, which she designed specifically for the project. so far she has raised $52,061.00 USD plus tons of garment and accessory donations. the money raised will go toward the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is making big changes in education in India. proceed will buy children uniforms and other school supplies. in an effort to bring attention to sustainable fashion, as well as, children in need The Uniform Project has caught the eye of many and have them reaching deep into their pockets. way to go ladies! for more on this project check out www.theuniformproject.com and www.theuniformprojectblog.com

day 255 January 11, 2010

day 244 December 30, 2009

day 207 November 23, 2009

day 154 October, 01, 2009

day 151 September 28, 2009

day 109 August 17, 2009

day 65 July 4, 2009

day 38 June 07, 2009

day 1 May 1st, 2009

the following are three films documenting my final comprehensive project of my undergraduate degree in art history / visual art degree at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA in 2004.