8000,<> students participate in the "Science Project" program
Dubai instills sustainability in the new generation with an innovative artistic style
Jacob Dahlgren chose to work on flags with children in an abstract way to let their imagination run wild. Cinematographer: Mustafa Kassemi
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Under the title "Science Project". The third edition of the ARM Holdings' children's programme, organised in partnership with Art Dubai, continues under the direction of Swedish artist Jacob Dahlgren, who chose to work on flags in an abstract way, unleashing the ideas of school students in presenting divergent visions of their country's flags.
The program, which will conclude on June 15, aims to educate children in the arts, with the number of students expanding from 1800,2021 in 8000 to 90,<> students in <> schools across the country.
Dahlgren developed the concept of the program designed for children aged five to 17 as an extension of his ongoing project, Signs of Abstract Art, which aims to inspire participants to contemplate the environment and its themes from creative and abstract angles, while encouraging teamwork, and reinforcing the importance of sustainability.
Regarding the management of workshops with children, Dahlgren told Emirates Today: "We will work on using daily materials and fabric waste, and students will cooperate together, unleashing their imagination, in order to design collage works that will be brought together, and then turned into flags and colored fabric."
He explained that «the project revolves around abstraction, and therefore the way in which the different details are dealt with is related to this art school», pointing out that abstraction in the beginning may seem complex and unclear, especially for children, but with the explanation of the meaning becomes more easy to apply.
"By his nature as an artist, he blends abstract school with social culture, transforming objects used in everyday life, including coat hangers and coffee cups, into vibrant works of art," Dahlgren said, noting that over the past three decades, he has worked to collect more than 200,20 images that embody abstract details from his daily life, and one of his longest art projects includes his pledge to wear a striped shirt daily for more than <> years.
Specific fabrics
The Swedish artist continued: "Children will have to deal with specific sizes during workshops, as well as with specific fabrics to carry out the works, which also instills in them the concept of sustainability and the re-giving of things to life." He noted that what he seeks through the workshops is to find confidence in the work in the first place, as well as enjoy art.
He pointed out that moving between different places and multiple schools, amid the many cultures in the UAE, will allow working on flags from everywhere, and therefore the workshops will have a privacy similar to life in several countries, as each child will transfer the information he provides, and implement it in his own project.
He believed that abstract work, which may seem difficult, does not necessarily need to be understood, as much as one should enjoy and love it, as there are levels of dealing with artwork, considering that the importance of these workshops lies in the fact that they are not limited to those who have artistic abilities, as they promote serious thinking and innovation, so talented students do not necessarily participate in them only.
Scene Enhancement
Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, CEO of A.R.M. Holding Group, told Emarat Al Youm: "We are working to promote the growth of the art scene in the UAE through this program, as we provide the new generation with the tools that prepare them to think innovatively and solve problems, and we also provide them with life skills that will enable them to reach higher peaks and further horizons, thus contributing to the creation of stronger and more inclusive societies."
He pointed out that through partnership with Art Dubai, they are working to promote the concept of cultural exchange, and encourage innovation and positive change in education, culture and the arts, which in turn supports the creative economy strategy pursued by the UAE.
Two-stage
Benedetta Guillon, Executive Director of Art Dubai, said they are contributing to this ambitious cultural programme across the UAE by delivering cultural content through tailored workshops and bringing together artists and designers who collaborate closely with local schools.
She added that "since its inception, the program has become part of the educational program, which Art Dubai offers throughout the year, and is implemented in two phases: the first through workshops organized during the exhibition, and the second activities that are applied in the classrooms in schools across the UAE."
• June 15, the closing date of the program, which aims to educate children in the arts.
evolution
A.R.M. Holding launched the Children's Arts Education Programme, in partnership with Art Dubai, in 2021, to invest in partnerships aimed at strengthening Dubai's position as a global capital for culture and innovation. The initiative also aims to enable the next generation to develop their interest and understanding of the arts and their various practices. Each edition of the program has a different theme, such as designing an alternative environment to live on a fictional version of the moon or creating sustainable works of art.
Mohammed Al Shehhi:
"Through our partnership with Art Dubai, we are promoting the concept of cultural exchange, encouraging innovation and positive change in education, culture and the arts."
Jacob Dahlgren:
"We work to give used things a new life. One of my longest-running art projects is my pledge to wear a striped shirt every day for more than 20 years."
Benedetta Guillon:
"We contribute to the implementation of the ambitious cultural program across the UAE, by providing artistic content and workshops designed specifically for children."