As Dubai and the region are constantly expanding and investing in their cultural and capital environments, the students and faculty of the Department of Visual Communication at AUD pride themselves in their dedication to leading the transformation and infusion of ideas, the transference and expansion of knowledge, and the dynamic interpretation of visual culture.
BASICALLY HUMAN
Ongoing
Basically Human: Fifteen Young Artists from the Middle East
An Exhibition by the photography program at the American University in Dubai
Within today's politically polarized world of ideologies, one would be rather surprised to hear the names of contemporary artists such as Barbara Krueger, Joel peter Witkin, Cindy Sherman, Bill Viola and others of the like spring out from the mouths of twenty something year old Middle Eastern men and women… And with such confidence, such familiarity.
It seems the infatuation with the image runs deeper than expected, especially in places where, stereotypically, one would think it is strictly shunned. The evidence to this comes in the form of “Basically Human”, a thought provoking photo exhibition by 15 young artists from Lebanon, Egypt, The Arabian Gulf countries, Syria and Iran. These young men and women, students and graduates of the American University in Dubai, bring to the fore the profound issues and questions which comprise their daily search for a reinvented identity that attempts to escape the labels inflicted on it by both, East and West. As one walks through the various photos on display, a somehow helpless yet triumphant rebellion unravels. A wide array of concerns seems to dwell in the minds of a seemingly misplaced generation. From the indigenous subjugation of women to flaring slogans such as “The Axis of Evil”, there is a sense of a defiant spirit that crystallizes before your eyes, in the prints, the frozen images and ultimately within the souls of those whose hard work can creativity stand behind this exhibition.
This is a must see, for those wish to explore the “other's” side of the story. After all that has been said and done, it seems The War on Terror is Basically Human!
HP's contribution
“In October of 2006 the American University in Dubai approached the management of Hewlett Packard with a series of problems associated with executing an international exhibition of student photography work. AUD and HP sat down and a sequence of brainstorming sessions brought to bear a series of solutions that would make the exhibition a reality. The collaboration proved invaluable for the project. The state-of-the-art printing equipment provided by HP combined with an unbelievably rich printing paper stock that was also provided by HP allowed for a final product that fulfilled the exacting standards associated with fine art photography. I am truly impressed with the capabilities of the new HP printers and media that have been developed obviously with the artist in mind. The new equipment and printing papers that are available by HP allow art photographers to execute their ideas utilizing solely a digital platform.”
- Roberto Lopardo, Chair of the Visual Communication Department, Assistant Professor of Photography
The catalog and exhibition have been made possible with the partial support and sponsorship of Artspace, Hewlett-Packard, Tanagra, and Soura magazine.
Basically Human exhibition schedule:
January 8-26, 2007
Joseph Gross Gallery, The University of Arizona, Tuscon, Arizona, USA
April 10, 2007
Artspace, Fairmont Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Visit the Basically Human website:
http://www.basicallyhuman.com
INNOVATION CHALLENGE
February/March 2007
A team of students from the Visual Communications Department at the American University in Dubai (AUD) won the Innovation Challenge conducted by Leaders In Dubai. The Innovation Challenge is part of the activities leading to the Management Innovation Forum to be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre from May 8th to 10th. As part of the campaign for the event, a TV advertisement to promote the conference needed to be produced to air on BBC World and CNBC Arabiya. Leaders wanted a bright ‘Innovative’ concept to portray the message of the event. The Innovation Challenge was created to uncover and utilize the skills of a team of young designers who could use their knowledge of the design process to integrate the spirit of innovation espoused by the Leaders in Dubai Forum into a 30 second advert.
Backed with the knowledge that AUD has a regional reputation for a high caliber of success and achievement in the area of Visual Communications, Leaders approached Roberto Lopardo, Chair of the Visual Communication Program and Assistant Professor of Photography at the American University in Dubai for his assistance with this ambitious project. Under the guidance of three seasoned AUD educators, Professor Lopardo, Professor Prucher, and Professor Abifares, five teams each composed of five students studying graphic design, photography, and advertising were selected and given a detailed brief. The claymation proposal utilizing stop motion photography submitted by Team Bingo composed of Alex Cordier, Kaveh Kashani, Golnar Mohsenzadeh, Al Zahra Suleiman, and Sami Al Turki impressed the judges for its playful dynamism and genuine inventiveness and therefore was declared the winning concept.
As of the 1st of March, 2007, Team Bingo’s winning advert is being aired on both the BBC and CNBC for two and a half months. In addition to this the winners will attend the Management Innovation Forum where they will have the opportunity to network with potential future employees as well as meet with some of the world-renowned speakers on hand. The winning advert will also be displayed on the big screen alongside 500+ delegates during the conference. The student’s portfolios will also be showcased in a separate area of the exhibition of the event so Managing Directors and the like of some of the regions largest agencies will have the opportunity to view it.
‘The Visual Communication Department at AUD is continuously seeking out professional opportunities for our students to authenticate to the professional market their technical adeptness, creative genius, and professional demeanor. It is my pleasure to once again unequivocally state that the Visual Communication students at AUD have stood up to the demands of a professional challenge and succeeded in producing a result that radiates genuine confidence and distinctive originality. The continued success in these types of opportunities empowers our students and strengthens their resolve in their own abilities to be gifted young creative professionals.’
- Roberto Lopardo, Chair of the Visual Communication Department, Assistant Professor of Photography
‘The partnership with AUD has been outstanding’ The ideas and commitment that the students have shared with us have been beyond our expectations and we look forward to seeing the finished article live on air in March’
- Alan Kelley, Project Director Leaders
‘When we were first given the brief we were stumped. How would we get our message across to a group of managers, CEO’s, top business people in the region in a market that is cluttered with ads and messages? We decided to take a risk and create a TVC that was very simple and to the point and yet quite wacky. We knew our method was something people here don’t see very often thus we believed it could grab people’s attention. We believe our production is very new and different thus very innovative and a perfect fit for the Management Innovation Forum.’
- Alex Cordier, Member of Team Bingo, Photography Student at AUD
INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR - ROME, FLORENCE, PARIS
December/January 2006-2007
34 AUD students, mostly from the visual communication department, traveled to Italy and France for a period of 14 days on an intensive art study tour.
Accompanied by Art Historian and theatre practitioner Sam Bardaouil, the students explored, on location, major landmarks from the journey on which the visual and performance arts have embarked since the beginnings of human civilization and spanning prehistoric, ancient civilizations, Greek and Roman, Christian, Medieval, Islamic, Renaissance, Baroque, 19th century, Modern and Contemporary periods. Sarah Lahti, assistant professor of Visual Communication brought her expertise as a studio artist and illustrator to the tour allowing the students to explore the works from an artist's perspective.
Offered over a period of two weeks, the international art study tour was comprised of a concentrated exploration of an extensive range of art works, architectural monuments, interiors and furnishings, performances and literary works. Through previously recommended readings, on-site lectures and visits to museums, galleries, art schools, performance venues and other cultural spaces, students will explore the major cultural trends, and the remains of visual culture they have yielded, within a specified time period(s). Moreover, the course aims at introducing the students to the process through which these ideas have been transformed into tangible works that now constitute a canonical part in the legacy of human civilization.
BULB FICTION EXHIBITION
December 2006
December 9-14, 2006 - Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre
Students of the American University in Dubai exhibited their multimedia installations as part of an exhibition entitled "Bulb Fiction" at the Kilachand Studio Theatre. As part of their course "Art in the Electonic Age", students of Sam Bardaouil, Assistant Professor of Art History at AUD, participated with established Spanish artist Ana Laura Alaez and German artist and composer Daniel Hulke to explore first-hand the mediums of video, electronic installation and computer generated art.
Read the Khaleej Times article here
ETISALAT EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
November 2006
The Etisalat Corporation, in conjunction with representatives from the Media Marketing Show, awarded the AUD Visual Communications Photography program 51,440 AED to represent young emerging professionals of Dubai at the International Exhibition Center. Marketing, Media, Broadcast, Advertising, and Entertainment professionals from all over the world were on hand to review student portfolios. AUD is the only university in the United Arab Emirates that has been invited to participate in this prestigious event.
SHEIKHA MANAL YOUNG ARTIST AWARD
October/November 2006
"New Signature 2006" was initiated to give young aspiring artists a chance to showcase their talent on a professional and international level.
Three hundred and sixty artists entered their work for New Signature. Evaluating the submissions were a jury of eight noted representatives from the global art community, including South Africa, Holland, the United Kingdom, Jordan, the United States of America, and the UAE. Fifty artists' work were chosen to be showcased in the exhibition that was held in November 2006. Of the fifty selected artists, seventeen students hail from the American University in Dubai. These AUD students were awarded in excess of $20,000US for their efforts.
William Lawrie, Christie's expert on modern and contemporary Arab and Iranian art and a member of the judges' committee commented on work entered from AUD as being ". . . contemporary and thought provoking. The works from AUD are accomplished and shows the vast potential that is being developed in the region."
Mohammed Kazem, Sharjah Biennale 2007 curator and member of the Board of the Emirates Fine Arts Society said, “The professionalism an dedication shown in the exhibited works in “New Signature 2006” was in large part due to the students from AUD, Department of Visual Communication. These students' work will serve as an example and inspiration to the New Signature exhibitions of the future.”
Our congratulations to the seventeen students selected to take part in this event, including: Abdul Al Hussain, Akram Al Moudi, Alex Cordier, Amira Mehrez, Arezou Karaubi, Elham Issari, Elnaz Zandi, Hazem Mahdi, Kaveh Kashani, Khulood Buaisha, Mohammed Ali Somji, Mona Amoli, Rahab Al Majed, Raji Al Sharif, Roshini Amarnani, Sami Al Turki, and Somayeh Bardai.
NOKIA CAMPAIGN
October/November 2006
The Nokia Corporation, in conjunction with Grey Worldwide advertising, awarded the AUD Visual Communications Photography program with the launch of its new advertising imagery campaign for the Middle East and Africa region. The small group of AUD students creating the imagery for this campaign received in excess of 50,000 AED cash incentives for their participation.
Nokia is widely recognized as a top ten company in terms of global brand value.
‘BLOOD WEDDING’
April 2006
Federico Garcia Lorca’s ‘Blood Wedding’, produced by Assistant Professor of Art History, Sam Bardaouil, and featuring students of his course "Artistic Forms of Expression", was performed on April 17 and 18, 2006, in the AUD Auditorium.
About the Play
A tragic Love story about unfulfilled love written by celebrated Spanish author Federico Garcia Lorca, the play follows the story of a couple whose love story defies social tradition. The play raises the question of individuality vs. conformity; a topic that most of us can relate to in this tradition bound, yet fast evolving, part of the world.
KITABAT ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY AND TYPOGRAPHY CONFERENCE
April 2006
Kitabat, the first major Arabic Calligraphy and Typography conference in the region, took place April 5-8, 2006.
The conference was hosted by the Visual Communication Department at the American University in Dubai, in partnership with Linotype Library GmBH (Germany) and Stichting Khatt (Center for Arabic Typography, Amsterdam), and in collaboration with the Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI).
The aim of this conference was to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western cultures, and lead to a two-way cultural exchange. It also sought to enhance the dialogue between calligraphy and typography.
The main topics of Kitabat:
• History of Arabic calligraphy and printing
• Arabic type design and technology
• Arabic typography and graphic design in the Middle East
Workshops and panels on Arabic calligraphy, typeface design, type technology, and type education were presented by key professionals who have been instrumental to developments in the field.
More information regarding the conference is available on the Kitabat and Khatt websites.
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