Mar/Aprnew

sle-

er elhambahrain.net

Contents!

 UpFront………………………………3 NightMadeofDreams………..4 ToAldar&BackAgain….………7 ArtontheBeach………….……..9 ElhamersBreakthrough……..11 ArtinFocus….…..……………….14 Upcoming…………………..…..…18 ElhamAnnouncements………19 FortheDiary…..…………………21 BookRave…………………………22 WriteOn……………………………23 Ourpartners/credits………….24

UP FRONT…

Time,itseems,moveswayfasterthanwewillitto;andsome<mes,slowerthannecessary.HereweareinMarch, with so much already done, so much more happening, and we’re in the swirl of spring‐ tornbetweenaseasontoocold,andaseasontoohot.Fromislandhoping,poetryrecitals,musicdrippingtears,a spot in the spotlight, solo exhibi<ons, proud ar<sts, a fes<val, a memory, a step up in the world ofElham...

Webringtoyouonthisnewsle-erarecallofourFebruaryevening,ateaserforourMarchnightonthe24th. Wealsoclueyouinonthefull‐day‐ac<vitywehaveorganizedwithAlDarislands,andinviteyoutostepintoahaloof light,toshineinfrontofanaudience,forjustbeingyou! Wehavealsoaddedtoournewsle-er for thefirst <me, a “book rave”‐ giving you the latest of our favorite readings andhopefullyintriguingyourinteresttopickupabook...

ReadontoseewhatElhamandAlDarIslandshavelinedupforyouthisseason. ReadontorememberaFebruaryevening,inspiringwhispersinthenight.Readontocelebrateourar<stswhohavetakenadaringsteptosharewithusasoloexhibi<onoftheirwork. Andfinally,findoutwhatelseishappeningonthiseternalisland!

Nowour17theveningisanighttoremember.Set(thefirst<meforElham)intheBahrainFortMuseum. Itwasanightofmusic,itwasanightofpoetry...Whatamagicalcombina<onthatis.ThoughKhalidAlRowaiecouldn’tjoinuson the evening, we enjoyed a visual recording as he spoke about hisinspira<ons and journey in wri<ng his poetry & photography book“Tranquility...nothing else”; we also listened to a reading of his poetryaccompanied by a slide show of the photography. Thank you Khalid forsharingyourtranquility...andnothingelse.WethenhadayoungandbuddingDeenaonthesoundsoftheviolin. Sweetlypitchedastheyoungshouldbe,andpromising,astheyoungo]enare!

A Night Made of Dreams!

Finally (not really finally) wewere graced with Ali AlSaeed’s poetry, from his “SadManDancing”...andforamanwho refuses to call himself apoet, his lyrical thoughtsinspired and set to mo<on amany emo<ons. Truly trulysensa<onal. We ended theevening with an acous<c fairto our ears, beseeching ourh e a r t s . A l a G h awa s i sBahrain’s very own personalheart‐brokenheartbreaker,heis a combina<on of tears andhope, and we couldn’t lovehimanymore(ohbutwewill)!Yes!! Truly truly a magicaln ight , and i t shan’t beforgo-en. Here’s to ourar<sts‐whodare to feel,whodaretoshare.

Thoughtheoceandoesn’tknowhowtostop, itsmemoryis ‘s<ll’ inourminds,inamillionsnapshots. WhatamItalkingabout?Elham’s18thevening,onMarch24th,inCasadellArte.Earlierintheyear,AlDar IslandsManagerMohammedSlaise approachedElhamwith anagenda,andwejustcouldn’tsayno!! SoonJanuary17th09ElhamPhotographers and Ar<sts went Island hopping, and inspira<onsurfing. Ar<sts include Ammar Al Aradi, Carla Saliba, Ahmed AlKhazal, Fardan Raffii, Anish Verghese, Nader Ameeruddin, NaylaFokeladeh, myself (Fa<ma Al Saad) and more!! And so, we havecollectedforthisspeciallythemedeveningthephotographsandartscreatedbetween islandhoppingand the fairly chillbreeze, inspiredbyoceanwaves, dolphins leaping, andaheart dipped sunset. Wepraythatyoujoinus,towitnessthebeautyintheislandsofparadise.

To Aldar… And Back Again!!

AliAlSaeed©

FollowingourAlDarcelebratedeveningonMarch24th,weareinvitedandareinvi<ngyouto joinus inAlDarontheweekend. AlDar IslandsandElhamJointogethertodisplaytheinspira<onalquali<esofnature.Withaveryspecialprogramfeaturingtheworksofar<stsbased inBahrain and themul<plemediums theyworkwith. FeaturingPremiere ar<sts inboth modern and tradi<onal disciplines, and a few workshops for the crea<ve at heart.Ac<vi<es include Extemporaneous Pain<ng workshop, sand castle compe<<on, Hennata-oos, caricatures, and plenty of opportuni<es to flex your photographic muscles. AlsobeingfeaturedwillbeagallerydisplayingphotosfromElham'sphotographyworkshops,theartofFawazOlaiwat,liveOudperformancebyFouadAlBhangi,andtheMusicalstylingsofFawazOandCap<anTplayingpast sunset.With the crea<vely chargedatmosphereonAlDarwe hope to ensure that everyone a-endingwalks awaywith an apprecia<on for themul<ple ar<sts to be found in Bahrain, and with a great apprecia<on for the artsthemselves.Comeexplore,interact,andaboveall,comeCREATE!EntrypricesareInclusiveofwatertaxiBD5AdultsBD3ChildrenBD2ForElhammembersandregisteredar<sts

Art on the Beach!!!!

Nowthere’snothingIcanthinkoftomakeusmoreproudthanseeourAr<sts,whohaveshowcasedthroughElham,moveon topublicand louderappearances. MariamHajiandFawazAlOlaiwathavepar<cipatedasElhamar<sts thisand last season,and this veryMarchof2009, theybothdisplayed in their veryownsoloexhibi<on.Here’sali-lewriteup...

ArmyofMariamInvadesBahrain!

Elhamers Breakthrough!

The research revolving the “Army ofMariam” has extendedfrom an explora<on of the Abject, the female body, theuterusand ideasofbirth.Birthcanbeseenasanalogous tocrea<on. This procrea<on is now ‘Army of Mariam’. It isessen<al thataPlacenta ispresentwithin thisprocrea<on–thisArmy.Mariam’s army is unrelated to our general ideas of aMaleArmy.Mariam’sArmyisaproductofMariam’sPsycheandisnotemployedforpowerorwar.Theyjustextendthemselvesfromdifferentrela<onshipsthatexistinMariam’shistoryandculturealsofromMariam’sspiritualandpsychedelicpointofview. As Middle Eastern Women who take control of theirwill, ina subtle, spiritual& feminineexpressions,where themost form of strength communicates from within throughLightandthroughtheireyes.

“TheplacentaistheLightandtheLifeofthearmy.Itfeedsthearmylifeandlight,withouttheplacenta,thearmy is nomore. The sword is the swordof choice. The armyhave a choice touseor not to use it,” sheexplainedtous, “There isnoone inthearmyhigheror lowerthatanyone.Mariam'I' is thecommandergeneralandinchargeofalla]erthePlacenta.TheplacentagiveslifetoMariamtoo.Soyoucantheplacentatheaboveall.”

TheuseofpaperandathinfilmofwaxisthebasisforthesesculpturesmainlytosymbolizethefragilityandinconsistencyofourhumanityintheformofSkin.Theplacentawithinthis‘ArmyofMariam’isnotonlythe‘Abject’ but it is a reminder that this unlovely Lump of flesh assists in crea<ng life. Significantly everyindividualwithinthe‘ArmyofMariam’iscalledbyName.TheyarenotjustaworkofsculpturebutalsoanalivememberofMariam’sarmy.

“IwishtoachieveasenseofstrengthamongstamassofMiddleEasternwomenthatisnotprotagonistands<llremainsanindispensablepartofawhole,”saidMariam.Mariam’snextPerformance/ShowwillbeheldatCasaDellArteonthe18thofAprilat7pm.IfyoumissedMariam’sfirstexhibi<onatAlbareh,thisisthechancetoseeoneofBahrain’smostdaringar<st.

“DigiDrop”isthecreaQvefreedomofFawazAlOlaiwat

Hisartexploresfreedom,love,suppression,aggression,andgraphicinspira<ons.Fawaziscurrentlyexhibi<ng‐star<ngMarch15th,andrunning for twoweeks in Casa dell Arte, Zinj. The gallery is nowdisplaying11yearsworthofFawaz’sar<s<cexperience.His expressions are raw and sincere, while the intelligence in histechniques are far and intriguing. The evolu<on of his style isevident, a journey of growth, realiza<ons, skipped hear‐beats,anger,andabreaking free.WhileFawaz is shapedand inspiredbyhis fascina<on in Comics, Horror, and the wonders of Nature;“DigiDrop” is a product of collec<ve fantasies and Real‐Life‐Aspira<ons.Selec<onsofFawaz’sbestdigitalartpiecesareprintedonhiqualitycanvas,anddisplayedforsale. Artenthusiastsandbuyershavetheop<onof adop<ng an art piecewith Full‐Royalty‐ having sole andauthen<c ownership of the pain<ng, never to be reproduced.Artwork will also be sold on Royalty‐Free basis, where pain<ngsmaybereprintedandsoldoutoffutureexhibi<ons.

FawazisanAr<stintrueshapeandform.Hehasexploredsinceyoungagethedigitalworld,andlivedthroughit,hisdigitalart.Hemoveshiscrea<vityontomanyplatorms,fromCanvas,toCorporateFacesandIden<<es,T‐shirts,fashionableprints,andmore. Notonlydoesheexpressincolor,FawazisaregionallyrenownedDJandProducer,nowtakinghistalentincolorandmusictoaninterna<onalarena.GetagoodlookatFawaz,beforehesoarsoutofhere!(Fawaz’sexhibiQonhasbeenextendedunQlMarch27th)

NaderAmeeruddin©

Art in Focus!

CarlaSailba©

FardanRaffii©

KhalidKhazzal©

Coming Up…!!

"MyFather'sHouse"will open inBahrainatBeitAlQur'anonMarch21stat8:00pmTheexhibi<onincludes large‐scale photography, audio‐visualpresenta<ons and film to look at how the builtenvironment reflects thepeople, thecommunity,societyandMiddleEastna<ons.

Join Dr. Samia Abdulrazzak at the Bahrain ArtsSocietyonMarch22nd forherexhibi<onen<tled“PrivateandConfiden<al”.Viewhertakeonartassheexpertlyblendspoetryoncanvasandcreatescollagesinmixedmedia.Forinfocall36622‐026.

Nabeela Al Khayer’s Nostalgic Terrace: In thisexhibi<on, forty mixed media works will beshowcased. Nabeela in this exhibi<on portrays,the woman and her feelings, emo<ons andmemories and all that goes around her. OpensMarch24. Treatyourself toa concert featuring thegreatestsongsofEgypt’sbelovedUmKalthoom,theArabworld’s most dis<nguished singer of the 20thcentury. Slated to be held onMarch 29th at theCultureHall,theeventisfreetoall.

“Transforma<on of Memory”: Alriwaq Art Galleryfinally returns with this stunning Photographyworkshop featuring theworks of around 16Bahrain‐based photographers, presen<ng Bahrain in a newlight, as it’s never been seen before. A fascina<ngexperimenta<on indocumentaryphotography,opensApril5thatthenewAlriwaqGallerybranchinAlA’aliShoppingComplex.

Indulge your senses in the musical genius ofteenagepianoprodigySidRamchandraashe takestothestageonMarch28thattheAllianceFrançaisein Isa Town. Listen on in awe as his expert fingersdelicatelystrokeebonyandivorytobringyousomeof the wor ld ’s most renowned c lass ica lcomposi<ons.Fordetails,call17683‐295.

Going with a Bang!!AoneofakindculturalextravaganzacomingyourwayinMay!!!

Elhamhaspledgedtoalwaysevolveandcon<nueexpanding,andthatiswhatwehavebeenworkinghardatonour third season.Andnow,aswenear theendof yet another fabolus season,wepromise youone lastbigsurprisethatwilltaketheculturalandartsceneinBahrainbystorm!

We are currently going into the next phase of organizing our secondmajor event, to be held in earlyMay,followingthesuccessof lastyearsLIVEART08. Thisfour‐dayeventwillbringanewart inanewwaytothepeopleofBahrainandturnitintoauniqueculturalexperienceunlikeanyotherseenbefore.Inthecomingfewweeks,lookoutforfurtherannouncementsaswefinaliseourplans.

But in themean<me,weare indesperateneedofvolunteers!Weare formingaorganizing teamthatwillbeinvolved from the planning, organizing to the excu<on phases. Somuch work to do. So li-le <me! So yourinvolvementisNEEDED!Wecan’tpromiseyouhugerewards,butonethingforsure,thiswillbeanunmissableandunforge-ableexperienceforeveryoneinvolved.Thisisyouchancetobepartofsomethingspecial!

Elham’s 1st Group Exhibition!!Elhamisalsoplanningit’sfirstevergroupartexhibi<ontocoincidewith this event. Ar<sts who wish to be considered for thisopportunity can submit their CV and samples of their work toelhambahrain@yahoo.com with the subject “elham group show”.DeadlineApril15.

Open Mic call for talent !Itsasatelliteevent,anannualcelebra<on.Theopenmicnightistheopportunityforallofus,thechanceforallofyou.Socomecom,takeamomentinthespotlight.Comeshowcaseyourvoice,yourhumour,yoursong,yourpoetry,yourone‐man/womanact.TheeventwillbeonApril21.

Create the Cover of a Music Album!!Areyouanar<st,photographerorgraphicdesignerlookingforanopportunity for exposure? Elham is currently accep<ngsubmissions of artwork to be considered as the cover for ourupcomingmusiccompila<onCDfeaturingoriginalmusicbyElhammembers and local musicians. The CD will be released in May.Send your pain<ngs, artwork, photos and graphic designs toelhambahrain@yahoo.comwiththesubject“elhamCDcoverart”.DeadlineApril15.

Dates to remember….!

Date Event Venue

March24th 18thmonthlygathering CasadellArte

March28th ArtontheBeach AldarIsland

March29th UmKalthoomtributeconcert CulturalHall

April5th Transforma<onofMemory AlriwaqArtGallery(AlA’aliMall)

April15th Elhamsubmissionsdeadline

April21st 2ndOpenMicnight Tobeannounced

Moreeventsandprojectswillbeannouncedshortly.Forregularupdates,visitourwebsite atwww.elhambahrain.net, and if you'renot yet onourmailinglist,sendyourfullname,telephonenumberandareaofar<s<cinteresttousatelhambahrain@yahoo.com.We'dalsoliketohearfromyouifyou'dliketopresentyourworkatafutureElhamevent.

FragileThingsbyNeilGaiman

Now I have to admit, its been too long since I’vepicked up a book; and as a writer, let me say, it isshameful toabandonwords. But!Lately,andnotsolong ago I was given a gi] (from no other than ourrising ar<st Fawaz AlOlaiwat). Neil Gaiman’s FragileThings is a collec<on of short stories, topics ranginglove,mystery, friendship, ghosts, and some<mes I’mnot too sure…Whatever you have a taste for, reallywhatever it is, Gaiman’s story‐telling is amust read.His touch to imagina<on is uncanny, his reality is aninvi<ng twist; truly I cannot have enough. Eachmoment lived in fragile things is a wonder, is aques<on,isrevela<on.

Book Rave!!

OurlatestfeatureintheENListhis“bookrave”broughttoyoubyFa<maAlSaadwhowilltalktousaboutherlatestfindingsinliterature.

Write On!Ineverynewsle-ergoingforward,we'dliketoincludeapoemorshortpieceofprosewri-enbyamember.Thismonth,webringyouaspecialpoem by none other than our own, Fa<ma Al Saad, who wrote thispieceonoutatsea,amidstdolphinsandislands.

”CulturePirates"byFaQmaAlSaad

PiratestradingCulturesrememberingIshallstretchthehorizonOfmyhomeAndholdthemoments<llAgi]togiveforawitnessingoceanThiseternallandKnowsmyname

PiratestradingCulturesremembering

Ishallstretchthehorizon

OfmyhomeAndholdthemoments<ll

Agi]togiveforawitnessingocean

ThiseternallandKnowsmyname

Credits

Wri^enbyFaQmaAlSaad

EditedbyRoshelleCharlo^eFernandez

Design/layoutbyAliAlSaeed

CoverPhotoAmmarAlAradi

Emailusatelhambahrain@yahoo.comWebsitewww.elhambahrain.netFindusonFacebook!

Allrightsreserved.Pleasedonotreproduceoruseanyofthecontentwithoutpermission.

AliAlSaeed©

About Elham…!

Elham provides a monthly forum forarQsQcally minded people, and givesboth expat and Bahraini arQststraversing the creaQve spectrum aplaaorm to showcase their work. InaddiQontomonthlysessionsatgalleriesandcafés,therearesatelliteeventssuchas jamming evenings, photographers’daysoutandvariousworkshops.

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