The
Emaar International Art Symposium 2005 is poised to become a popular
highlight on the annual calendar of the global artists’ community.
These sentiments were echoed by A.J. Jaganathan, CEO, Emaar Properties, at the glittering award ceremony.
“I
am honoured to be here because you have created amazing wonders in
stone and on canvas. The Emaar International Art Symposium has become
part of our commitment to promote the growth of art and culture,”
Jaganathan said.
“The
grand buildings we construct are living testimonials to the power of
art in all its manifestations. This is especially true of Burj Dubai.
In creating the tallest skyscraper in the world, Emaar has endeavored
to not only create a new image by developing an architectural landmark,
but also provided it with a distinct identity.”
Artists,
organisers and promoters of Dubai’s premier creative art forum attended
the exclusive event at the Burj Dubai site, which saw twelve of the 70
international artists walk away with grand prizes worth USD 90,000.
Featuring
a painting and sculpting contest, the Emaar International Art Symposium
2005 formed part of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which is
celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Emirates, the award-winning
airline, were the official carrier for the Symposium.
A
three-member committee of prominent artists including Dr. Najat Makki,
Obai Hattoum and Ayoob Al-Balooshi organised and managed the event
including the selection of the artists.
Two winners each bagged
the first three places in both the contests. For the painting, these
included: Ibrahim Bu Saad (Bahrain) and Nazar Yahya (Iraq), (Ist prize
winners), Carlos Barao (Portugal) and Hassan Bourkia (Morocco) (2nd
prize winners), Bachar Al Essa (France), and Mohammed Eunus
(Bangladesh) (3rd prize winners).
In the sculpting category,
the first prize was won by Ali Jabbar from Iraq and Caroline
Ramersdorfer from Austria whereas Kemal Tufan (Turkey) and Akhtam Abdul
Hamid (Syria) received the second prize. Antonios Myrodias (Greece) and
Jo Kley (Germany) stood third.
The Symposium started on
January 12 with the sculptors taking positions at a specially created
site next to the Dubai World Trade Centre. The painting competition
commenced on January 25 and was held at the Dubai Marina Promenade.
Both contests concluded on February 6.
Ibrahim Al Hashemi,
Executive Director, Emaar Properties and Chairman of the Symposium
Organising Committee said: “Judging by the tremendous response we have
received from the global and regional artist community in the last two
years, we are confident that the Emaar International Art Symposium is
here to stay and is destined for even greater heights.”
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