The Regal Elegance and aura of Maxim Artsinovich

December 3, 20121 Comment

My favourite piece from MaximiliaN

Maxim’s jewellery designs are creatively intense just like him

Moments with Founder and President of The Jewellery House of MaximiliaN

I often meet inspiring individuals who lead incredibly hectic lifestyles but finally I have met the ideal man whose self-confessed vices are outweighed by all his good points and how amazing he is in all aspects of his life. He not only creates masterpieces, but can also be referred to as one with his unique persona, business acumen, creativity, heart breaking looks and out of this world charming disposition.

Seeing Maxim again now, I can’t help but highlight that the above mentioned amazing few qualities are just a tip on the iceberg when it comes to trying to do justice to the incredible skill and talent of this International Jeweller.

Russian born Maxim, who is also a Caribbean national embodies the best of all qualities a man can possess and more. One of the youngest jewelers in the world at 41 years, Maxim wears many hats as an entrepreneur but there is no doubt that when it comes to the high-end luxury market for cars, jewellery and the finer things in life, there is no better authority to consult than Maxim.

Coming from a family with five generations of military background meant that Maxim was disciplined and very focused on whatever he set his heart on. He started sketching at the age of six with a passion that gave him an edge well ahead in life – he started creating jewellery with materials he came across and treated, hence being able to give unique pieces to his first love.

After leaving the navy, Maxim was able to quench his creativity thirst with delving deeper into the world of jewellery before being recognized within the jewellery industry globally for his innovative ideas, in particular for his ‘I love you’ rings that serve as a unique calling card to women who touch his or the buyer’s heart…sigh!

Maxim’s romantic nature may have given him an edge to win and charm discerning clients hearts worldwide, but it is his astute financial decisions, founded by his knowledge of ‘on the mark’ marketing strategies that work, that have also helped him become a leading jeweller who is seen also as an authority on gemstones. As a designer, a trendsetter who trots the globe for inspiration and unique resources, every piece of MaximiliaN jewellery reflects the ethos of being a rare, priceless gem.

The presence of MaximiliaN in Dubai is no accident. Maxim recognizes the value and potential of Dubai and its location as the number one tourism destination that has the backing of a forward thinking Government. He points out how safe Dubai is and the joy in being able to do business with ease because of the structures set up for investors and the commercial sector that makes Dubai a leader in the world of commodities.

No matter what we talk about when we meet, Maxim always brings in his main passion, The Jewellery House of MaximiliaN that was founded in London as an international family of like-minded artists, designers and jewelers living in different countries. The brand has now positioned itself as an exclusive and prestigious Jewellery Retailer and is best known for its expertise, handmade craftsmanship, high quality gems and innovative precious stone settings.

Maxim firmly believes that he is not just designing jewellery, watches, accessories or clothes but creating the personal luxury lifestyle of his clients. This belief has placed MaximiliaN as one of the Top 10 Jewellery Houses of the World according to Robb report since 2007. His international designers around the world constantly create unique masterpieces to fit the standard of the Brand. Production teams are based in the world-famous jewelers regions such as New York, Lausanne, Pforzheim, Vicenza and Tokyo.

Although MaximiliaN operates in the Top 7 Cities for Fine Jewellery Sales, Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore with plans in the next 5 years to expand to Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo, the brand also aims to have 40-60 point of sales in places where jet set clientele go to such as Miami, Aspen, Monte Carlo, San Tropez, Cannes, Biarritz etc.

The MaximiliaN Flagship Boutique on The Palm Jumeirah in Zabeel Saray Hotel attracts clients with unique taste who love the fact that 90% of MaximiliaN jewellery pieces are transformers. For instance, a tennis necklace can be adjusted to a bracelet or earrings etc. I tried one an amazing piece a few nights ago for the Arab Woman Awards and it was awesome.

Maxim is adamant about using exceptional Gemstones such as Burma Rubies, Colombian Emeralds, Kashmir and Burma Sapphires and Fancy Colored Diamonds are specialization and a Brand signature of MaximiliaN Jewellery House. All MaximiliaN Gem stones are certified by the Top 5 gemological laboratories.

MaximiliaN provides the most refined qualities of Western “Art de Vivre” to customers all around the World. The brand believes in establishing long-term relationships with customers in the way of forming Family Collection of rare gemstones and providing investment prices.

I have also come to know that Maxim is an ardent art collector. Not long ago, he showcased the most significant gemstone artworks collection of Saint-Petersburg’s current school masters at the Museum. In fact, Maxim also collaborates with one designer a year to create a limited edition collection where every sign art piece is unique.

Maxim, with his warm nature naturally does a lot of CSR work. He is known to have donated one of his unique art pieces to the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburgh so that funds from its sale could be used for the reconstruction of a museum. I certainly appreciate people like him who have time for the science centre and museum industry. He also teaches students in Saint Petersburgh about modern jewellery design and regularly gets invited to give lectures on the sales and marketing of luxury goods and would also like to see his brand expand into other premium products like perfumes, clothes, watches and leather accessories. I’ve learnt a lot from Maxim in terms of strategic marketing and the importance of creating look and feel of media that portrays the high-end ethos of a brand.

Like me, Maxim is passionate about cars and I loved checking out his top of the range Audi that was designed by him and hence, customized to meet his discerning taste. He took me for a short spin and it was very much…Maxim :). The interior reflected his trendy but practical persona with luxury detailing that set my pulses racing. As a car lover, Maxim naturally goes for uniqueness and has a fond attachment to his 2007 Bugatti Veyron and his Bentley but I would say the Audi was just perfect for him.

The best bit that I love about Maxim – he runs about 4 marathons a year and does not smoke or drink any alcohol. Instead he focuses all his energy towards martial arts with disciplines like Kando, Sanse, karate and boxing. He inspired me to get up at 6am to get to the gym and getting me to do that is a mean feat for any man… I reckon Eric and Tash are still reeling from shock at seeing me tumble down the stairs in the mornings and wondering what has possessed me this time. Its must be hard living with someone like me who is so hard to figure out even after 17 years.

Another good example Maxim set for me is indulging in green tea. He made me get used to drinking this awesome tea he gets from abroad and now I am trying all the different green tea brands to see what I like most. It is so refreshing to meet someone like Maxim who can stand tall and do business at the highest levels internationally without feeling the need to drink or smoke socially. That shows pure confidence of a man who does what is best for him and his body and not what is expected of people in his line of work during social events.

Maxim likes to continue his healthy and holistic lifestyle while he travels around the world to take the MaximiliaN name to new locations around the globe and we certainly want him more in Dubai. A few nights ago, Maxim sponsored the Arab Woman’s Awards at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. I love the fact that he respects women this way and elevates them much more than just designing beautiful jewellery for them and I am glad I was there to support him.

It is such a pleasure to spend time in the company of such an inspiring individual who lives life to its maximum potential and makes no apologies for it. We can all learn a thing or two from him and for starters, I am making Maxim my new role model in terms of work ethics, healthy lifestyle, getting active in sports and making the most of life while I still am on planet earth….

Inspired by the energy and creativity of KALA

December 3, 2012Leave a comment

Funky 🙂

“Fashion is art, where the needle is the brush and the fabric is the canvas.”

Young people these days inspire me. Last year, I met an incredible young designer, Sasi Kala at a Women to Women event who looked slightly older than Tash but in fact she is an established designer in Dubai who decided to take her passion for fashion a step further by studying fashion design.

Sasi is from Kerala and she ventured to Singapore to attend Raffles Design Institute. It meant 3 years of sleepless nights with projects and sewing but learning the art and history of designing was what she was born to do and use the knowledge for her designs.

I met Sasi once again after that for coffee and she told me how her first Spring Summer 2012 collection was accepted at the Dubai Fashion Week, as a New Generation Designer. I was delighted for her as she deserved it more than anyone I know.

The first store that started stocking her first collection was United Designers, which is amazing. They help give platform and recognition to young emerging designers. Sasi also stocks at O Concept.

Her label KALA (meaning art in Sanskrit) has a unique identity that uses structure, draping and appliqué amongst other techniques. Every garment has a story behind them, in form of inspiration, process and fabrics.

My favourite has to be the Hidden Hippie collection. Anyone who knows me has come to accept the fact that I have no specific style or identity when it comes to my clothes. I wake up, drag myself to the wardrobe and come back looking like a bohemian, demure, desi, once in a blue moon corporate, slutty or totally contemporary where there is no rhyme or reason for the combinations that result in the end.

And I make no apologies for it….so KALA’s collections of clothes that showed a bit of rebel appealed heaps to me. Modern hippies may be in the corporate world blending in for the sake of propriety but as Sasi says, even if they are hidden they still believe in love, peace and freedom.

KALA went towards a minimal and a formal look for this collection. The main details for the collection are the chiffon ruffle, the circular dart and also peace symbols designed by KALA’

For her Spring Summer 2013 collection, the theme is ‘Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory’. The factory was a hip hangout for the artsy types and super stars. They all inspired Warhol in many ways. So this collection is inspired by those who inspired him. This is going to be a very fun and colorful collection so I look forward to it.

Sasi is definitely a designer to look out for… I have asked her to give us a sneak peek into her next collection…fingers crossed; you will see some cool stuff soon. One option is to get great deals on the exquisite designs from KALA on 8^th December, 2-8pm at Villa 16, Hattan Street 2, Arabian Ranches. Enjoy!

Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) line-up for 2012

December 3, 2012Leave a comment

One of the main attractions for DIFF other than watching cool movies we otherwise don’t get to see is getting up, close and personal with people we either idolize or just admire for the many roles they portray on and behind the silver screen. I met some awesome people last year. And from the moment I did a course locally with Icon Art Productions who later inspired me to enhance my writing skills to script writing/editing under Universal Film Makers as a fun hobby, the admiration for people working behind the screens has grown two-fold.

International celebrities flying into Dubai this December include: Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett, Colin Firth, Livia Firth, Frieda Pinto, Rooney Mara, Kirsten Davis, Amr Waked, Bryan Ferry, Suraj Sharma, Steve Oram, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jessica Mauboy, Shravanthi Sainath and Adil Hussain and Erica Linz.

A-list Arab celebrities gracing the red-carpet include: Laila Eloui, Nelly, Khaled El Nabawy, Ezzat Abu Ouf, Salah El Sadany, Hassan Hosny, Ghassan Masoud, Hany Ramzy, Mohamed Saad, Ahmed Rateb, Ghada Adel, Ragaa Al Gedawy, Sherine Adel, Maxime Khalil, Yosra Ellozy, Amir Karara, Sirine Abdel Nour, Nermine El Fikky, Caroline Khalil, Magdy El Hawary, Samer Ismael, Mehyar Khadour and Mounzer Rayhana.

And stars flocking to DIFF from the GCC include: Haya Abdulsalam, Jushoon, Ibrahim Al Habri, Souad Ali, Abdul Mohsen El Nemer, Salah Al-Mulla, Habib Ghuloom, Jaber Nagmoush, Abdulla Boushiri, Shimaa Ali, Zahra Arafat, Fatima Abdulrahim, Abdul Aziz Jassim, Mansour Al Feli, Mahmoud Bou Shahri, Fatma Alsafi, Yacoub Alsalili, and Basem Abdulamir. In addition Ahmad Al Braiky, Hamad Al Omani, Asmahan, Jamal Al Radhan, Yacoub Abdalla, Somoud, Abeer Al Jundi, Faisal Alamery, Aseel Omran, Buthaina Al Raisi, Reem Arahma and Haifa Hussein.

Audiences will also have the unique opportunity to meet established filmmakers along with exciting new talent including: Wayne Blair, Khairy Beshara, Abdulatif Abdulhamid, Nour Eddine Lakhmari, Haiffa Al Masour, Stephan Archinard, Brian A. Miller, Brillante Mendoza, Saul Williams, Andrew Adamson, Aron Warner, Feng Xiaogang, Takashi Miike, Nishtha Jain and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

The prestigious Muhr Awards have gone from strength to strength and this year will showcase a record number of films – an impressive 83 films will compete for over US$575, 000 in prize money across three categories – Muhr Emirati, Muhr Arab and Muhr AsiaAfrica. The line-up this year was selected from 2,100 submissions from 115 countries and is considered to the most remarkable, competitive and diverse selection to date. Arabic features will also be eligible for a variety of prestigious global awards including the FIPRESCI International Prize of the Critics Award.

DIFF’s outstanding competition juries this year consists of world-famous filmmakers, industry decision makers and onscreen talent who will come together to help judge the Muhr Arab, Asia Africa Awards include: Michael Apted, Kerry Fox, Bruno Barreto, Chang Dong Lee, Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, and Nayla Al Khaja.

DIFF will also present its Lifetime Achievement Awards to veteran Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdul Aziz and prolific British director Michael Apted, who have both made commendable contributions to the world of cinema and inspired countless of people through their body of work….get ready for a week of great entertainment in Dubai.

UAE National Day and its significance to expats

December 2, 2012Leave a comment

This weekend has been an eye-opener for me about how diversely international we are and how enriched our lives are because we live in a nation that has so many nationalities who are bound by one thing – the fact that they have chosen this amazing country to be their home over anywhere else in the world.

We had the biggest party on the planet at the Dubai Rugby 7s this weekend which is one place where we Fijians congregate and meet each other in the UAE once a year. I was watching my daughter who is half British and half Fijian cheering for both countries with equal vigour. Today it is equally beautiful to see her flying the UAE flag from the car as we go out and about because UAE is where she was born and has lived in all her life so she sees this as her main home. We have a home in Spain but we don’t feel the same way for the place the way we love UAE because our memories are all here. I am glad that my child has chosen to embrace all 3 cultures of Fiji, UAE and the UK instead of having an identity crisis that some half-baked psychologists once told me she would have because of the way I was exposing her to the world. (Sometimes I reckon the psychologists just manipulate people’s minds into believing negative stuff so they can serve their own needs or make a living without having to do much)

Anyway, while I bombarded the world with my Fijian tweets etc over the weekend, today I want it to be all about the UAE. Since the UAE was founded in 1971, it has succeeded in many arenas despite facing many difficult circumstances and many challenges. I am proud to be living in a country where the union has resulted in a successful federation that continues to grow from strength to strength. As my child treasures the UAE flag today in respect of the country she was born in, I see the colours of the flag as a symbol that represents this strength, inspiring the citizens and the residents of the nation to keep the momentum in moving ahead in all spheres of life.

The celebrations we see today serves as a constant reminder to us of where UAE was 4 decades ago, where it is today and where it intends to go in the future. It helps to fully appreciate the momentous challenges the various Emirates and the nation has overcome to obtain records of achievement that is impressive by all standards…. I don’t know any country that has achieved what UAE has or any nation that takes such good care of its people the way this country does.

The rulers of this nation have also made sure the successes have an impact on everyone by improving basics like better living standards, infrastructure development, welfare-state entitlements, health and education. It is amazing how the various Emirates have grown from palm-huts coastal towns to modern buildings and then to iconic buildings that host businesses that make it a vibrant trade centre of the Middle East.

Keeping the ideals and values of the union intact is one of the most fundamental goals all UAE government leaders and while every UAE national day is reminder of what it has achieved as a nation, the celebrations today is one way to look back at history and marvel how technical developments have guided the embryonic UAE to its present prosperity, becoming the ultimate salute to the unification. As expats, we are privileged to enjoy the prosperity the unification has brought to this blessed country we are so attached to….and as my daughter’s birthplace, UAE will always be cherished in our hearts and minds – for the exposure Tash has had to so many cultures and nationalities here is the reason why she is growing up as an amazing and knowledgable young woman.

DIFF Sets The Stage For A Thrilling Week Of Films and Events

November 28, 20121 Comment

With Ayesha as DIFF gets launched by the seaside 🙂

It’s that time of the year when DIFF reveals the entertainment bonanza they have in store for us. Notice how I have refrained from saying time of the month – I thought it was safer since in PMS mode, I have bitten off even heads this week of people who have crossed the line with me one way or another.

This year, DIFF has over 160 films from 61 countries, in 43 languages featuring 52 World Premieres, 14 International Premieres, 73 Middle East Premieres and 17 GCC Premieres.

DIFF embarks on 8 days of the very best of film, industry events and star-gazing red-carpets with Academy Award Winners Ang Lee’s long-awaited 3D adaptation of the hugely popular Yann Martel’s novel Life of Pi opening the Festival on Sunday, 9th December. This year’s DIFF promises to offer something for everyone, with a selection of diverse films, from sneak previews of giant-budget Hollywood films to independent films that are breaking new ground, films from first-time filmmakers though to the greatest directors of all time.

From December 9 to 16, the Festival’s nightly red carpet gala screenings will see the Arabian premieres of the critically acclaimed film Bekas from Karzan Kadar and the culturally groundbreaking Wadjda by Haiffa Al Mansour. The Cinema of the World galas include some of the most anticipated films of the year including Hitchcock, starring Award Winners Antony Hopkins and Helen Mirren, the 3D adventure Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away, Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or masterpiece Amour and the triumphant true story The Sapphires which will close the Festival.

The Gala premiere representing the Asia Africa Programe is World War II Epic Back to 1942 from prolific director Feng Xiaogang. DIFF’s afternoon gala for younger film fans is the World Premiere of the magical adventure Journey to the Christmas Star.

I just got home and started flipping through the programme. Would love to tell you more but after a pretty long and emotionally exhausting day, I think I will offer more information about DIFF in the days to come. Watch this space 🙂

Death is imminent and grieving can take many forms

November 24, 2012Leave a comment

My daughter and I spent some time earlier writing condolence tributes to children of an awesome woman who was my angel when I was new and pregnant as an expat in UAE with absolutely no clue about motherhood. It has been a shocking time for us this weekend and a wake up call that death indeed is imminent and can happen at any time and how sometimes we take people for granted in our lives knowing they are always there and not appreciating them enough.

Nicola (RIP) was the most dynamic woman we have come across amongst parents in Tasha’s school. Before Tash was born, she organised all our mother to mother events, she helped me draw up the letter to the hospital that I wanted a natural birth with no epidural (I didn’t even know what an epidural was), She introduced me to other mothers who later became my information hub for raising Tash and where I needed to go for good doctors, clothes etc.

What is tragic is that this healthy, slim, on the go committed mum and art educator took a tablet that she didn’t realise she was allergic to and this caused a cardiac arrest and she died in the hospital on the way to the hospital. How much difference can an hour make to a person’s life is unbelievable. But I was always told when my mum passed away that God almost always takes amazing people like Nicola first because they are so good and so loved by him.

Lots of memories come flooding now with talk about how the big church was overflowing because Nicola had touched so many hearts. I remember walking down the Coral Coast streets a week after my mum’s funeral and someone who knew I didn’t make it to the funeral came and hugged me and said, ‘Never in this town the police had to monitor traffic because of a funeral but for your mum, they had to. Always remember that – so many people came from so many places because she was an amazing woman who always did things for everyone and was the first one to help people.” That was a beautiful thing to hear and I always think of that when i miss her.

I don’t know why I didn’t see so much of my mum in Nicola before. Afterall, in my mum’s absence, she stepped in to be my guide when I knew no one in the UAE. This incident has also made me realise that often in the rat race, I end up focussing on things that in the end don’t really matter – it’s the real things like people around us that matter.

When I saw a message this morning from Nicola’s daughter to Tash, seeing how strong she and her brother who is Tasha’s age are, I feel proud of them. I was not half as strong as them and its so heartening to see them write notes to their mum, their feelings and how they celebrate the amazing life she led in terms of bringing them up and giving them the best…these are times when we as adults have a lot to learn from the younger generation. Today I feel blessed for everything my mum did for me and the fact that I am the person I am today because of her…Nicola’s death has been very untimely but it has helped us appreciate people around us so much more. RIP Nicola… we will always remember you as the first person who came through the hospital door to see how i was doing after NJD was born.

Bahrain Science Centre to focus on Arab innovations

November 24, 2012Leave a comment

Kids learn via interactives, talks, debates and workshops at Bahrain Science Centre

The theme of activities in the Bahrain Science Centre during December 2012 and January 2013 will be ‘Bahraini Innovation’, but this topic will be broadened to also include innovations and superlatives from the whole Arab world.

Bahrain boasts many superlatives of its own. It has archaeological records of one of the oldest known civilizations (Dilmun), and the largest number of burial mounds in the world (originally over 85 000). It also features in the world’s oldest and most enduring piece of literature, the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, in which Bahrain was the home of eternal youth.

The first oil strike in the Middle East was made in Bahrain (1931/32) and the first oil exports from an Arab country were from Bahrain (1930s). Bahrain was also the first Arab country to begin diversifying its economy away from total dependence on oil and gas (ca 1975).

In the fields of scientific discovery and technological innovation, Arab countries can boast many firsts through the pioneering works of the Abbas bin Firnas, al-Kindi, the Banu Musa brothers, al-Razi, al-Muradi, al-Jazari, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn al-Haitham, Taqi al-Din and many others, but that’s another story.

The Arab world today boasts many world firsts and superlatives on the engineering front. These include the first city (Uruk in Iraq; 3200 BC), earliest high-rise building city (Shibam in Yemen; 16^th century), tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa in Dubai; 828 m), tallest hotel as part of a multiplex (Makkah Royal Clock Hotel; Saudi Arabia), tallest all-hotel building (Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai; 333 m), tallest hotel atrium (180 m; Burj al Arab in Dubai), tallest residential building (413.4 m; Princess Tower in Dubai) and the largest shopping mall in the world (Dubai Mall; 548 127 m²).

Then there is the 50 floor Bahrain World Trade Centre which is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its design. Hence the building has received several awards for sustainability as the sail-shaped buildings on either side are designed to channel wind through the gap to provide accelerated wind passing through the turbines. Tests show that the building shape has the potential to generate electricity.

The largest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport (DMM) near Damman in eastern Saudi Arabia. Its area (780 km²) is greater than that of Bahrain! The largest alternative energy city is Masdar City in Abu Dhabi (6 km²; started in 2006) and the longest driverless metro network in the world is the Dubai Metro (74.694 km).

The largest draped flag is in Rayak, Lebanon (325 x 203 m) and the longest straight road (240 km) is in Saudi Arabia (Harad to Badha). The Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Causeway (40 km) will be the longest causeway in the world when it is completed (the King Fahd Causeway, at 27 km, is currently the third longest marine causeway in the world).

Join us at the Bahrain Science Centre in December and January as we celebrate Bahraini, and Arab, contributions to the world!

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

– ENDS –

Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC):

The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.

‘Sultans of Science’ to fascinate audiences at Petrosains, Kuala Lumpur

November 24, 20122 Comments

MTE Studios Sultans of Science Exhibition attracts large audiences 🙂

Travelling exhibition has attracted thousands visitors since its debut in Asia

Currently touring Asia, ‘Sultans of Science’ will be hosted at Petrosains, The Discovery Centre, located at the PETRONAS Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur to captivate audiences in Malaysia as the third venue for the exhibition since its Asian debut. The global travelling exhibition, also known as ‘Islamic Science Rediscovered’ will open in mid December 2012 in Kuala Lumpur until mid June 2013, showcasing the significant contributions Muslim scholars have made to science and technology.

Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim, CEO from Petrosains Sdn Bhd said, “‘Sultans of Science’ corresponds well with our aim to enhance science literacy and instill a passion for acquiring scientific knowledge emphasising on the excitement of learning rather than on the rigorous memorisation of scientific facts. We have followed its success in the last few years and believe the subject is perfect for all generations of visitors we get at Petrosains”

“We are excited to showcase Sultans of Science in Petrosains, which brings to life scientific principles by engaging and educating visitors through numerous interactive hands-on experiences. With the message that science and technology is a universal language, the exhibition has more than 50 exhibits in areas such as architecture, arts, astronomy, engineering, explorers, flight, mathematics, medicine, optics and water control, revealing astounding historical legacy of Muslim science, technology and inventions to the Malaysian audience,” added Ludo Verheyen, CEO of MTE Studios.

‘Sultans of Science’ exhibition was created after Dubai, Bahrain and Cape Town based MTE Studios was tasked with theming Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The company researched on the technologies invented by Muslim scholars of the Golden Age of Islam (700 – 1700 CE), such as the Elephant Water Clock before creating it for the Mall.

Enjoying enormous success over the last 8 months and enlightening Asian audiences on the important scientific and cultural achievements of the Arab & Muslim scholars, a prestigious venue like Petrosains is perfect for this blockbuster event.

The exhibits were designed in Dubai and created in Cape Town with the exception of the replica of surgical instruments designed by Muslim scientists in the 14^th century. These were made of silver and were crafted by jewelers in Egypt. ‘Sultans of Science’ has been displayed at prestigious venues including the MTN Science centre in Cape Town, South Africa; the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, USA; Ontario Science Center in Canada; TELUS World Of Science in Edmonton, Canada; Tech Museum in San Jose, Science Centre Singapore and National Science Museum in Thailand. With the opening at Petrosains, The Discovery Science Centre, the exhibition will continue traveling across the globe.

Press release issued on behalf of MTE Studios FZ LLC. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/504828177/shereen@mtestudios.com

About ‘Sultans of Science’ (‘Islamic Science Rediscovered’):

‘Sultans of Science’ also known as ‘Islamic Science Rediscovered’ is a global touring exhibition celebrating the contribution of Muslim Scholars in Science and Technology during the Golden Age of the Islamic World and the influence their inventions and contributions has towards modern society.

Focused on increasing knowledge and understanding of these invaluable contributions, ‘Islamic Science Rediscovered’ has been created as a global traveling exhibition in order to enable its message to be far-reaching through science centers and museums around the world.

The content features interactive displays with information on inventions, innovations and discoveries covering a broad spectrum of science topics such as astronomy, mathematics, medicine, optics amongst others, which were ahead of its time. Visit http://www.sultans-of-science.com for more information.

About MTE Studios:

MTE Studios is a specialized consultancy firm focused on themed architecture and interactive learning experiences. The firm designs, prototypes and manufactures inspiring interactive exhibits for science centers, museums, shopping malls and corporate environments.

MTE Studios translates unique residential, commercial, educational and leisure projects into stimulating lifescapes. Its scope of services ranges from creating a storyline, concept and detail design, documentation, project management and art direction during construction. MTE’s portfolio of completed projects includes museums, shopping malls, theme parks, FEC’s and residential developments.

Recently Bahrain’s Ministry of Human Rights and Social Development has appointed MTE Studios to manage and run operations of the new state-of-the-art Bahrain Science Centre. One of the firm’s recent projects was the development of the Museum of Science and Technology in Islam at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

With offices in Dubai, UAE and Cape Town, South Africa, MTE Studios has an interdisciplinary team of over 50 specialists, including architects, art directors, artists, engineers and interactive designers from over 12 countries. Visit www.mtestudios.com for more information.

About Petrosains, The Discovery Centre:

Petrosains is a Science Discovery Centre that uses an exciting and interactive approach to tell the story of the science and technology of the petroleum industry. Its concept and contents revolve specifically around the science of petroleum, yet embrace all the general sciences. The hands-on approach adopted by Petrosains puts an emphasis on the fun and excitement of learning rather than on the rigorous memorisation of scientific facts.

Petrosains Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated to extend PETRONAS’ commitment as a socially responsible corporate citizen in providing a rich and stimulating environment aimed to enhance science literacy and instill in Malaysians a passion for acquiring scientific knowledge. In addition to opening a window of information on the history and development of petroleum and its related products, the centre also creates more awareness on the enormous career opportunities in the industry.

Petrosains is housed in the world’s tallest twin towers, the PETRONAS Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur. Occupying levels 4 and 5 of both Tower 1 and Tower 2 of the Twin Towers, Petrosains covers a total exhibit area of more than 70,000 square feet. Entrance to Petrosains is through Level 4 of the Suria KLCC mall. The mall is accessible via various modes of public transportation. Visit http://www.petrosains.com.my/ for more information.

Flower Power

November 22, 2012Leave a comment

Robert Hammond’s Flower Power

One of my favourite venues to take in a bit of art ingestion after work has to be Art Sawa. The next artist to showcase his talent there will be Robert Hammond with his ‘Flower Power’ exhibition.

Robert studied Fine Art at St. Martins and WSCAD in the UK. His early works are painterly compositions in the neo-expressionist tradition. Robert’s latest works bring-forth new materials coupled with a new aesthetic, entitled visual ritual. In his wall sculptures, large cartoon faces and figures, outlined by thick curved metal profiles – contain montage imagery behind polished glass surfaces. At first whimsical and cute – on second look you are peering through these figures into pulsating montages of dripping paint, concentric line patterns and smeared chalk.

At play is a marriage of optical patterns, corrugated space and unfocused images. It is in the playful mastery of lines where the power of his art lies. His works are essentially metal line drawings, extruded into the 3rd dimension – at times concentric, converging and diverging, at times kaleidoscopic. Robert’s art is about strengthening our perception to everyday images, textures and reflection, emphasizing their curious properties by singling them out and playing them off against one another.

His compositions are deliberate, sparing, virtuosic and concise – cool and without context One can’t ignore the reflective quality of his works. Deliberately highly reflective – the art jumps beyond the surface – shining back to the viewer, testing the viewer’s retina. Robert’s works overall exhibit a visual bravado mixed with new visual lucidities – that bring facility and whimsy to large bright and powerful compositions

At the center of the Flower Power exhibition will be a collection of flower pieces – a kaleidoscope of arcs juxtaposed with hatched backgrounds – A melody with a rainbow of colors. Flower Power is the latest iteration of Robert Hammond’s Visual Ritual conception. Visual Ritual is about strengthening our perception to patterns, surfaces, textures and reflection – emphasizing their properties. At the core of the Visual Ritual conception is the notion of line – how they focus, lead, and drop off the eye. Robert Hammond’s work is an interface of signals, which guides and activates, it seeks to crystallize everyday our ways of seeing, by simplifying illusion, outline, movement and abstraction.

Sparing, cool and deliberately void of context, Robert Hammond’s work is bold, elegant and alluring – a presence hard to ignore. The exhibition is open to public from the 28^th of November until 16^th December 🙂

Bahrain Writer’s Circle meets at the Bahrain Science Centre

November 18, 2012Leave a comment

The monthly meeting of the Bahrain Writer’s Circle was held at the Bahrain Science Centre last Sunday. The meeting was attended by 45 people, including writers, poets, actors, newspaper columnists, editors and members of the general public.

The MTE Studios Director of the Science Centre, Professor Mike Bruton, gave a talk entitled ‘Brain Power: Boys vs Girls’ in which he discussed the structural and functional differences between male and female brains. Some of the main differences are in the way that men and women communicate and visualize three-dimensional spaces. He also discussed the impact of digital media on brain development in children, and pointed out the importance of ‘old fashioned’ three-dimensional play in the development of brain power.

A wide range of issues was discussed after the talk, such as how to achieve the right balance between conventional play and play on digital media, how to avoid digital addictions, and how to develop one’s creativity as a writer. After the talk Professor Bruton took members of the Bahrain Writer’s Circle and guests on a tour of the Science Centre, including the ‘Scary Skeletons’ exhibition and interactive galleries.