my works in T Qatar Issue 26

8/11/2019 my works in T Qatar Issue 26

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14 T Qatar: The New York Times Style Magazine

SEMAPANTHER

Publisher & Editor-In-Chief

Yousuf Jassem Al Darwish

Chief Executive

Sandeep SehgalExecutive Vice President

Alpana Roy

Vice President

Ravi Raman

EDITORIAL

Editor

Sindhu Nair

Chief Fashion Correspondent

Debrina Aliyah

Senior Correspondents

Abigail MathiasAyswarya MurthyEzdihar Ibrahim Ali

ART

Senior Art Director

Venkat Reddy

Deputy Art Director

Hanan Abu Saiam

Assistant Art Director

Ayush Indrajith

Senior Graphic DesignerMaheshwar Reddy

Photography

Rob Altamirano

MARKETING AND SALES

Senior Manager Marketing

Frederick Alphonso

Manager Marketing

Sakala A. Debrass

Assistant Manager Marketing

Thomas Jose

Media Consultants

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AccountantPratap Chandran

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T, THE STYLE MAGAZINE

OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

Editor in ChiefDeborah Needleman

Creative Director

Patrick Li

Deputy Editor

Whitney Vargas

Fashion Director at Large

Joe McKenna

Managing Editor

George Gustines

Photography Director

Nadia Vellam

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Gary CaesarKaren Hanley

Tucked away bang inthe middle of Corniche,with stunning views ofthe glittering towers ofWest Bay as well as theiconic Museum ofIslamic Art, is thisquaint tea shop.

Page 68

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T, The New York Times Style Magazine, and the T logo are trademarks of The New York Times Co., NY, NY, USA, and are used under license by Oryx Media, Qatar.Content reproduced from T, The New York Times Style Magazine, copyright The New York Times Co. and/or its contributors 2013 all rights reserved. The views andopinions expressed within T-Qatar are not necessarily those of The New York Times Company or those of its contributors.

Lookout Qatar32 This and That Amouage and its latest fragrance;

multimedia artist Marianne Petersen

and her Pop Art depiction of the Arab

world; local artists in Turkey; Omega

salutes the history of science.

34 Market Watch

The Middle East has its fair share of

eco-experiences.

36 The Event

Chanel was the first European label tochoose Dubai for such a crucial event

on the international fashion calendar.

38 Art Debate

The discussion that has been unleashed

by Richard Serras installation

continues.

40 In Time

An unlikely partnership brings about a

change that takes on the challenge of

protecting important birds such asDarwins finch, the mockingbird and

the Vermilion Flycatcher.

44 Legacy

Herms hosted a celebration in honor

of its theme of the year: metamorphosis.

Arena Qatar68 Food Matters Taking you through the culinary

treats that await you once night falls

during Ramadan in Doha.

By Ayswarya Murthy

Photographs by Sema Panther

73 Art Matters

Singapore pushes designers to

create a value-added contribution

to the national economy.

By Sindhu Nair


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30 T Qatar: The New York Times Style Magazine

This and ThatLookout Qatar

The Art of Self-DiscoveryOman has had an early tryst with fragrances.That it continues to be part of the beautiful

Sultanates history is not a coincidence.

FROMT

OP:COURTESYAMOUAGE;SUFIART.

NEXTPAGE

:COURTESYMARPLONDON,OMEGA.

There has been conscious work;

work to cultivate a brand that is

rooted in history while it

transcends beyond its shores to

explore ingredients and market

conditions abroad. The result was

Amouage, a brand that cannot be

contained within geographical

constrains or regional confines.

That the brand took on board acreative director from the East,

Christopher Chong, with no

formal training or experience, is

indicative of how unconventional

the brand aspires to be.

Meanwhile, Chong has proven his

talent by the creative

transformation of the brand and

is now a respected craftsman

who defies convention and

pushes artistic boundaries. Basedin Amouages London office,

Chong travels the world to meet

clientele from all walks of life,

which he believes is one of the

most rewarding aspects of his

role; the sharing of personal

stories and journeys through

perfumery. The darling of local

and international media, Chong is

close to obsessive when it comes

to presenting the concept of theperfumes within Amouage. The

latest from the house of Amouage

is Journeyfor man and woman,

where Chong pieces together

remnants of his personal odyssey

as he metamorphoses through

life. Our lives play out in

fragments, says Chong. I am

making sense of mine by drawing

elements from my experiences

and morphing them with otherart forms to define, articulate and

transcribe my world within the

compositions of these

fragrances. Inspired by a love of

Shanghai deco and a passion for

Chinese cinema, (particularly

Film Noir) Chong pays homage

to his heritage through his latest

creations.

Chong believes that there is a

fallacy that Arab perfumes aremostly oudhor their derivatives,

and he feels that those who share

these perceptions have not

experienced his creations yet.

Amouage Journeyis a strong

fragrance, which could be one

reason the uninitiated compare it

to the oudh, but on further

exploration, the fragrances have

a distinct spiciness that is

nowhere near anythingexperienced before. SINDHU NAIR

Charming little ceramics depicting whirling dervishes dot the display window of a small

rustic shop completely unassuming with staff whose soft murmurs contrast the lively

ambience of the market. The little appointment, called Sufi Art, offers an insightful look into

the work of artists and craftsmen from all over Turkey many skilled in traditional Turkish

handwork of ceramics and fine jewelry. Founded by Yusuf Kaya six years ago, the shop is an

extension of his business in authentic Turkish carpets, all in the promotion of local talents to

a wider audience. Turkish ceramic masters Nuray Ada and Ismail Yigit are among the artists

whose work can be found in Sufi Art, along with the abstract representations of painter

Cemal Toy and Hidayet Sen. Meticulously handmade decor in Turkish patterns make for

great gifts while the fine jewelry collections from emerging designers are truly one-of-a-kind pieces that embody the spirit of the historical city of Istanbul. The store is a relection

of my love for my homeland,Yusuf says. Where else would you see all major religions

coming together?DEBRINA ALIYAH Sui Art is located at 45, Misir Carsisi. www.suiart.net

Turkish DelightsWhen wading through throngs of visitors at Istanbuls Spice Market, all

clamoring for the stickiest Turkish delights and inest tea leaves, you will

eventually come to a discreet corner devoid of crowds.

SPICED ASIAClockwise:Amouage's Journeyis inluenced by themysteries of China;the packaging is

distinctly Arabian;Christopher Chongtakes us through hispersonal journey.

ALL PRICES ARE INDICATIVE


4/831July - August 2014

Women draped in layers of black fabric, mon-

ey so abundant that it sometimes is hard to

comprehend and a mysterious shroud over the

ever-changing political landscape. But it

almost makes for visually stimulating material

in contrasting the old with the new, as in the

case of the works of Marianne Petersen. A

multi-media artist with a particular interest in

the culture of the Gulf, MarpLondon as she

prefers to be known, has cleverly condensed

her social observations on Arabs in frame-sizepop art and photographs. Images of veiled

women hidden in the latest designer shoes

form the series The Great Harrods Exodus

Petersens layered response to the debate

of the banning of full-face veils in England.

The assumptions from both Muslims and

non-Muslims are as ignorant as the other and I

wanted to highlight the paradoxes,she says.

InA Taste of Dubai, Petersen highlights the

ordinary man on the street by taking away the

usual glitz and skyscrapers associated with the

Emirate reframing the individuals in plainbackgrounds of traditional Arab environment.

These quirky and highly circumspect works

caught the eye of Khurram Rafique, owner of

UAE-based shoe and handbag brand Nicoli,

and Petersen was asked to collaborate in de-

signing the labels 2014 campaign. With a mix

of old Hollywood icons and new icons of the

East, the campaign is a play on the mind to

create your own inner style,she explains.

Selected MarpLondon pieces are available

through Saatchi Art online but the artist

prefers to be in touch with clients personallyon www.marplondon.comDEBRINA ALIYAH

July 21, 1969, two NASA astronauts became

the first human beings to set foot on the

surface of a celestial body.

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set

foot on the Moon, they met the chal lenge set

only a few years earlier by President John F.

Kennedy. This feat one of mankinds

crowning technological achievements had abrand literally on hand, on this historic

occasion. Strapped around his spacesuit,

Buzz Aldrin wore an Omega Speedmaster

Professional Chronograph.

Neil Armstrong left his own Speedmaster

aboard the Lunar Landing Module as a

reliable backup to the electronic

timekeeping system.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional

Apollo 11 45th Anniversary Limited Edition

wrist-watches commemorates thefirst lunar landing and celebrates its link to

the iconic chronograph that was part of this

great lunar adventure. SINDHU NAIR

A Time LeapWhile some of us shrug away the importance of brands and theirhistory there is no ignoring the signiicance of this scientiic event.

Layers of FlairIn an inquisitive context, the Arab world provides an almost ideal

environment, one that is abound in mystery to be revealed.

LIFE IN ARABIAMarpLondon's takeon Arab culturethrough Pop Art.

LUNAR LINKABOVE: This exclusive packaging has a

black polyamide NATO strap and a blackVelcro strap inspired by the one astronautswear in space, a tool to change thebracelet, a loupe with a tachymetric scalearound its edges and a book highlightingthe adventures of the Speedmaster; right,the Omega Speedmaster ProfessionalApollo 11 45th Anniversary Limited Edition.


5/832 T Qatar: The New York Times Style Magazine

Lookout Qatar

Hearth and Soul

BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

The Middle East is envied for the indulgence andexuberance of the hospitality it extends. Here are some

destinations that set themselves apart from the rest.

Market Watch

Alila Jabal Akhdar

Jabal Akhdar is one of the Arab worlds best

kept secrets a rugged plateau some

2,000 meters above sea level that at first

glance seems an empty parched landscape.

But the rocky geography holds a treasure

trove of adventures. Designated in 2011 by

the Sultan of Oman as a nature reserve,

selected eco-friendly institutions have made

in-roads to offer off-the-beaten-track hotels

and cultural experiences. The latest

addition, Alila Jabal Akhdar is sculpted into

the natural rocky landscape, staying true to

its commitment to provide guests with an

immersion experience with nature. The

locale, famed for its Omani roses and juicy

pomegranates, has yards of orchards and

gardens to be explored through Alilas

specially crafted journeys that emphasizes

cultural learning and conscious living. Rates

start from QR1,200

at www.alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar

Feynan Ecolodge

With almost zero carbon footprints, Feynan

Ecolodge, an off-the-grid adventure escape, is

located in Jordans Dana Biosphere Reserve.

Designed by renowned eco-architect AmmarKhammash, the lodge generates all its energy

needs from the sun, and is lit by candles and stars

at dusk. In symmetry with its local environment,

the lodge is not only completely solar-powered

but is run entirely by local communities from

service staff to adventure guides. Explore nature,

historic copper mines, archaeological treasures

and lush canyons and be one with the Bedouin

culture through interactions with the friendly

locals. Food served at the lodge is exclusively

vegetarian and plastic bottles have been replacedwith clay jars made by local community

cooperatives. Rates start from

QR450 for beds at www.feynan.com


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33July - August 2014

Al Jasra Hotel

Step into the heart of old-world Doha from the

doorstep of Al Jasra, one of the culturally-inspired

boutique hotels that pioneered a change in the

hospitality landscape in Qatar. Part of Souq Waqif

Boutique Hotels, this hotel was among the first that

offered an alternative to the big name chains that

dominate the city. Designed to relect old Qatari

dwellings, Al Jasra's rooftop is the best gazing point to

view the hustle and bustle of the busy souq, from its

traditional traders to the lively restaurants. Rates start

from QR720 at www.swbh.com

XVA Art Hotel

A complete escape from the glitzy hotels of Dubai, the XVA Art Hotel is a rare gem

refurbished from the former home of the Seddiqi family (Dubais Rolex dealers)

into a soulful boutique retreat. Hidden in the heart of the Al Fahidi neighborhood,

Dubais historical traders' settlement, the hotel combines all the characteristics of

an art-furnished space with the architectural splendor of a 100 year-old house that

includes two traditional courtyards and three wind towers. The space is also home

to the XVA Art Gallery, an outfit dedicated to contemporary art from the Arab

world and the subcontinent. Dubais creative crowd fills the restaurant and cafe on

cool evenings led by the estabishments owner Mona Hauser the citys art doyen.

Rates start from QR650 at www.xvagallery.com

PICTURESCOURTESYALLTHEBRANDS


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37July - August 2014

reactions and dialogue, Al-Ajail says. Contemporary art takes

time to be understood and what Serra has done really is to

highlight the Brouq Nature Reserve and put our country on the

world map, he says. Al-Ajails own contribution to the project

uses Serras pieces as a focal backdrop to highlight the culturalaspects of the Qatari community in living life with dignity and

hope through difficult times.

Yousef, no stranger to the creative crowd, experiments with

colors and anchors animated sculptures with his signature cartoon

mascot. Evoking the spirit of Serras concept of space, his

explosion of energy and rainbow shades fit into the idea of what he

would put into his own space. Serras work has positive and

negative feedback and me, being a Gemini, have two personalities

so I channeled the polar opposite concepts into the work, he

explains. Al-Thani captures the emptiness of space in Passage of

Time which reminded her of Noahs Ark, believing that Serraswork is more of an internal experience than a physical one. Fareed

plays with photography techniques to blur the lines between the

I.M. Pei - designed structure of Museum of Islamic Arts with 7,

the latter work chosen for its proximity to the museum, while Al-

Dossari finds the abstract in desert sand. An avid desert

adventurer, Al-Dossari photographs dune lines in striking

resemblance to Serras work, seeing that movement is truly

universal regardless of material, he says.

The acme piece at the exhibition perhaps comes in the form of

the sword installation by Al-Kuwari, an artist who is dedicated to

perfecting the age-old craft of sword making. If it is Serrasintention to challenge the our perspective of space, then it is Al-

Kuwaris aim to present the sword in all its dimensions. Serra

combines culture, nature and architecture in

one work, and here I present all the different

angles of a sword that comes together

harmoniously in the end as one vision, he

explains.

The conversation continues on the

museums crowd-sourcing micro site, www.

richardserra.qa, inviting you to reflect and

share your thoughts. The Creation Generation

exhibition was also displayed a second time at

the W Hotel & Residences from July 3 to 17.

Contemporary art takes time to be

understood and what Serra had donereally is to highlight the Brouq NatureReserve.

ART COLLECTIVE Clockwise from left: Al Dosari, Yousef, Al-Kuwari andAl-Ajail at the opening of the exhibition; the first installment that tookplace at The Pearl-Qatar; Al-Kuwari has been championing thetraditional art of swordmaking throughout the last two decades.

my works in T Qatar Issue 26

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