The Culture Counter
The Culture Counter offers a dynamic perspective on the ideas shaping contemporary culture, featuring standout moments from The Arts Club's cultural programme and exclusive conversations. Each episode brings together highlights from talks and panels at The Arts Club, alongside interviews with leading voices across the creative industries, business, and science. Thoughtfully curated, the series captures the breadth of dialogue across the club's London and Dubai locations.
Episodes
Odysseus vs Alexander: When The Journey Matters More Than The Destination | The Arts Club London
In this episode, Blanche Parris, Head of Cultural Programming at The Arts Club, is joined by History Hit host and bestselling author Tristan Hughes, to explore two of history’s most legendary figures: the mythical hero Odysseus and the legendary conqueror Alexander the Great. In celebration of Christoper Nolan’s release of the ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, they discuss how myth and history inter
The Untold Stories of UFOs | The Arts Club London
This episode features Jonathan Caplan KC, one of the UK’s most high-profile and well-respected barristers, speaking on his new book Not For Disclosure, in conversation with Madison Marriage, former Editor of Special Investigations at the Financial Times and now Investigations Team Leader at Bloomberg.Not For Disclosure is a landmark study of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), previously know
You & Your AI Lover | The Arts Club London
Silicon Valley–based sex tech expert Kaamna Bhojwani explores how advances in AI and robotics are reshaping intimacy, relationships, and human connection in conversation with Blanche Parris, Head of Cultural Programming at The Arts Club. From AI chatbots to increasingly humanlike humanoid robots, she examines a future where the boundaries between digital and physical relationships are becoming eve
The New Energy Order | The Arts Club Dubai
A fireside chat between Francesco Sciortino, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Proxima Fusion, and Devika Thapar, Co-founder and General Partner at Wilbe, brings the global race toward energy abundance into focus. Together, they explore the promise of fusion energy, the scientific and commercial challenges ahead, and what it will take to move fusion from breakthrough research to a scalable
Optimising Nutrition in Summer | The Arts Club London
With summer approaching, host Blanche Parris sits down with two leading voices in functional medicine to explore how to support our health holistically, treating root causes rather than symptoms, and how to navigate the season's many temptations without losing our footing. A practical, expert-led conversation for anyone looking to feel their best.Featuring Dr Nikita Glover, physician, member
The Politics of Rewilding | The Arts Club London
This panel discussion explores the increasingly divisive politics of rewilding and its impact on the future of the UK countryside, spanning environmental ambition, food security, rural livelihoods, and economic reality. Featuring conservationist and bestselling author Isabella Tree, agricultural diplomat Dr Kevin Parris, rewilding practitioner and founder of the Thousand Year Project Merlin Hanbur
Collecting in an Evolving Art Market | The Arts Club Dubai
In this episode of The Culture Counter, leading voices from across the art world discuss what it means to collect in a rapidly evolving global market. Recorded at The Arts Club Dubai, the conversation explores shifting collector behaviours, the growing influence of regional ecosystems, and the role of art in shaping cultural identity today.
AI & Leadership | The Arts Club London
How will AI reshape the way we live, work and think? In this thought-provoking live recording from The Arts Club London, Dr. Daniel Hulme, founder and CEO of Satalia, Chief AI Officer at WPP, and one of the leading voices in artificial intelligence, explores the extraordinary opportunities and existential questions emerging from the next wave of AI.Drawing on more than two decades at the forefront
The Resilient Executive: The New Intelligence Behind Endurance | The Arts Club Dubai
An exclusive session in collaboration with WHOOP featuring the authors Unstressable, Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google [X], and Alice Law, stress and resilience specialist, moderated by Kristen Holmes, Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP. Together, they explore how data and psychology intersect to redefine resilience in leadership — offering insight into the four dimens
AI and the Future of Pharmaceuticals | The Arts Club Dubai
An illuminating discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape — from drug discovery to patient care. Moderated by Khawar Mann, co-founder and CEO of Auxilium Services, the panel brings together Mo Khodadadi Executive of AI at PureHealth, Alex Aliper of Insilico Medicine, and Charlie Regis of HKX Capital. Together, they will explore how AI is advancing personal
The Future of Galleries In A Changing Art World | The Arts Club Dubai
A timely conversation as the region prepares to welcome one of its most significant cultural moments of the year, Abu Dhabi Art. This discussion will explore how the contemporary art landscape is being reshaped in an era where collectors build direct relationships with artists and digital platforms redefine access. Art fairs, too, are navigating this transformation — evolving from market hubs into
The Weight of Change: The Rise of Weight Loss Medication | The Arts Club Dubai
An insightful conversation on one of today’s most talked-about medical and cultural phenomena, the rise of weight loss medication. As these drugs transform approaches to weight management, they are also reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, clinical practice, and public perception. We welcome Gastroenterologist Dr. Rahul Nathwani and Endocrinologist Dr Katia Sibai, moderated by Dr. Sheen Gurrib,
Reframing the Mind: A workshop by Dr. Naif Al Mutawa | The Arts Club Dubai
In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day, we welcome Dr. Naif Al Mutawa for a workshop on recognising and reframing negative thought patterns, building emotional resilience, and prioritising mental wellbeing in both daily life and the workplace. Through practical, guided exercises, participants learn to cultivate greater self-acceptance and transform unhelpful patterns into rational, positive per
Authored: Sara Hamdan, What Will People Think? | The Arts Club Dubai
Writer and former New York Times journalist Sara Hamdan joins us at The Arts Club Dubai to discuss her debut novel, What Will People Think? — an intergenerational story moving between 2011 New York and 1947 Jaffa, exploring identity, legacy, and the tension between tradition and ambition.A Palestinian American raised in Greece and based in Dubai for two decades, Hamdan brings a global perspective
An Evening with Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports | The Arts Club Dubai
When Paul Griffiths arrived in the UAE in 2007, he took a bold leap from his role as MD of Gatwick Airport. Since then, he has led the remarkable transformation of Dubai Airports — guiding its rise from just over 34 million passengers a year to one of the world’s busiest international hubs.In conversation with journalist Rosanna Lockwood, Griffiths reflects on the records broken and world firsts a
Beyond the Runway: Fashion’s Global Shifts | The Arts Club Dubai
Fresh from the Fashion Weeks, this conversation brings together leading voices in the industry to unpack the season’s defining ideas and aesthetics. Featuring Sujata Assomull, Contributing Editor at Vogue Business and Founding Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar India; Sharifa Al Hashemi, founder of ONORI; and Jessica Michault, Senior Editor at Emirates Woman, the panel explores standout collection
Preserving The Invisible: The Art of Conservation | The Arts Club Dubai
What happens behind the scenes to preserve the artworks we love? Tune in for an engaging conversation on the craft, care, and complexity of art conservation led by industry experts, including Ekaterina Plastinina, Associate Director at Green Art Gallery; Vedika Kochhar, Founder and Head Conservator at Partum Restauro; and Collector Salvatore Lavallo. The discussion sheds light on the complex proce
Hormonal Health: How to Balance Body, Skin, & Mind | The Arts Club Dubai
Hormones affect everything — from our skin and sleep to mood and weight. In this insightful conversation, Francesca Ogiermann-White, founder of The Beauty Triangle and Tatler’s Health & Beauty Editor-at-Large, leads an expert panel on how to better understand and manage these vital body chemicals. Joined by bio-identical hormone expert Dr Martin Galy, aesthetic doctor Dr Suha Kersh, and GP Dr
A Founder's Story: Brunello Cucinelli | The Arts Club Dubai
Step into the world of luxury and vision with Brunello Cucinelli in this exclusive fireside chat that marks his first appearance in Dubai. Discover the extraordinary journey of the man behind Italy’s iconic brand, as he shares how his personal values, family, and challenges shaped his philosophy of "Humanistic Capitalism." Get a rare glimpse into Cucinelli’s reflections on building a leg
Stress, Burnout, & Mental Health | The Arts Club Dubai
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, Dr. Saliha Afridi, founder of The LightHouse Arabia, leads the conversation focusing on the importance of mental health and wellbeing in today's fast-paced world. She explores the meaning of a healthy mind, common mental health challenges, and strategies for fostering resilience. With this year’s theme centring on mental health in the workplace, the
Gut Health & Longevity By Lanserhof | The Arts Club Dubai
Dr Jan Stritzke, a leading specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiology and Medical Director at the award-winning Austrian health resort, Lanserhof Sylt, shares valuable insights into the crucial link between gut health and longevity. He explains how a balanced gut microbiome affects digestive health, heart function, immunity, and ageing. Dr Stritzke provides practical tips on enhancing gut heal
A Founder's Story: Christian Louboutin | The Arts Club Dubai
In this special edition of A Founder’s Story, we are joined by the iconic designer Christian Louboutin for an insightful fireside chat, moderated by Ritu Upadhyay, Middle East Bureau Chief at WWD. Christian explores his personal and professional evolution, from the inception of his brand to its rise as a global fashion symbol. Throughout the conversation, Christian shares key moments from his illu
The Yellow Metal | The Arts Club Dubai
Gold stands as a cornerstone in the annals of currency, trade, and investment. Tracing its rich history unveils tales of civilizations, conquests, and economic transformations, showcasing its profound influence on human affairs. Today, amidst the complexities of modern finance, gold retains its allure as a strategic asset, sought after for its stability, diversification benefits, and hedge against
The Culture Dispatch: The Root Resurgence | The Arts Club Dubai
In recent years, there has been a notable resurgence of interest in plant-based remedies and traditional herbal medicine practices, driven in part by a societal shift towards holistic wellness intersecting with traditional knowledge and scientific advancements in the sector. But how can we navigate the integration of traditional plant-based medicine into modern healthcare systems? And how can we d
The Art Cereal: New Trends in Collecting | The Arts Club Dubai
Ahead of Art Dubai, Amelie von Wedel and Pernilla Holmes, Founder and Director of Wedel Art, art advisory firm and curators for The Arts Club London and Dubai, lead a discussion on the most interesting works capturing the attention of the art world now. They will also share some tips & tricks on art collecting, alongside their unique insights into emerging movements in a fluctuating contempor
Cross Border Audiophiles: A Conversation with Dustee Jenkins | The Arts Club Dubai
A conversation with Dustee Jenkins, Chief Public Affairs Officer at Spotify, exploring the latest trends and innovations coming out of the audio space. Diving into what this exciting future of audio represents to Arab creators and how streaming platforms like Spotify drive their discovery across borders.In conversation with Stavros Antypas, Cultural Programme Manager at The Arts Club Dubai.
The Culture Dispatch: Navigating Financial Frontiers 2024 | The Arts Club Dubai
Dive into the intricate world of financial movements, where we unravel the past, scrutinise the present, and peek into the future of venture capital trends. Offering valuable perspectives on the venture capital landscape, courtesy of our distinguished speakers: Philip Bahoshy, CEO & founder of MAGNiTT, and Noor Sweid, the astute Founder and Managing Partner at Global Ventures.As we unravel the
The Cultural Dispatch: The Future of Fuel | The Arts Club Dubai
With the conclusion of COP28 and the emergence of practical resolutions, we've evolved from an unequivocal rejection of fossil fuels to a commitment for transitioning away, tripling renewable energy, and enhancing climate finance for the most vulnerable. In light of this newfound resolution, there's a growing expectation for fuel companies to embrace cleaner and more efficient production
A Founder’s Story: How Mohamad Ballout built Kitopi | The Arts Club Dubai
In 2021, Dubai’s Kitopi became a unicorn with a $415 million round led by SoftBank.Founded in January 2018 by Mohamad Ballout (CEO & co-founder) and his friends Saman Darkan, Bader Ataya, and Andy Arenas, it is today the world’s leading managed cloud kitchen platform. But where does it all start? Whether from their parents’ garage, or from an enlightening conversation or from having been in th
The Art Cereal: Ai & Art | A New Age | The Arts Club Dubai
A fireside chat with Award winning director, writer & poet Nujoom Al GhanemWhile AI presents innovative tools for artists and the potential to challenge traditional boundaries, it also raises questions about authenticity and human creativity. Can AI-generated art truly evoke the same emotional depth as human-created pieces, or is it merely an algorithmic imitation? In the pursuit of artistic e
The Art Cereal: Creativity to Mobilise Change | The Arts Club Dubai
Art for The Ocean: Creativity to Mobilize Change took place in the prolific art market of Dubai during COP 28 (the world’s largest annual climate gathering, hosting more than 100 Heads of State and over 35,000 participants). Bringing together artists, collectors, philanthropists, and ocean advocates alike to create a direct bridge between the art world’s capabilities and the ocean’s needs during t
The Culture Dispatch: Building a Greener Future | The Arts Club Dubai
Dubai's remarkable rise from the desert sands has been nothing short of extraordinary. The city has rapidly transformed into a global economic hub, renowned for its iconic skyscrapers, luxury developments, and visionary projects. However, this success story brings with it a profound responsibility - to shape a sustainable, environmentally conscious future for the generations to come.This talk
The Culture Dispatch: Think Tanks, Thinking Internationally | The Arts Club Dubai
Think tanks are essential in international affairs, acting as hubs of strategic thought and policy innovation. They gather experts to analyze global challenges and provide impartial analysis and solutions. Through research and discourse, they enhance understanding of global dynamics, aiding decisions that have worldwide impact. As bridges between academia and policy, think tanks foster collaborati
The Culture Dispatch: Navigating The Economic Storm | The Arts Club Dubai
An illuminating evening as Gary Dugan, CEO of The Dalma Global CIO Office, sits down with the visionary founder of Dalma Capital, Zachary Cefaratti. Dive deep into the world of macroeconomics as these financial titans unravel the intricacies of inflation and interest rates.
The Culture Dispatch: Is the 21st Century city beautiful? | The Arts Club Dubai
With extraordinary technological and scientific advances our cities across the globe are growing at an exponential rate, but are they beautiful? Neo-Classic notions of proportion, harmony, cohesion and unified style, albeit ornate, are part of the architectural and historical fabric of cities like Paris, Rome and Istanbul and have been considered beautiful as a result. In 2023, buildings are argua
Authored: Mai Eldib on writing Cairo Eternal (Assouline) | The Arts Club Dubai
For this Authored episode we hear from Mai Eldib, author of Cairo Eternal; the latest addition to Assouline’s Travel Series and its first ever Egyptian destination, as she discusses the journey that she set out to share with readers, across the streets of the city she calls home.From the rich culture and stunning aesthetics of Egypt’s vibrant capital to the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza and the bu
Authored Live: Jamali Maddix | The Arts Club Dubai
We were delighted to welcome critically acclaimed comedian Jamali Maddix for our Authored Live series at The Arts Club. From his wittily honest stage appearance on Live at the Apollo, to his hilarious guest performance on James Corden’s The Late Late Show, Jamali hit our stage for his UAE debut with lots of cracking-up and picking-on. Listen to this hilarious fireside chat which followed his perf
An Evening With: Ai...and Dr. Noah Raford | The Arts Club Dubai
You have probably put an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot to the test recently. Perhaps you asked it to write prose from the perspective of a 300-year-old time-traveler from Mars. And why wouldn’t you satiate your curiosity? It has been populating headlines for months after all. But what really is generative AI? How does it work? What are the legal implications, if any? Is my job endangered or
An Evening With: Hamed Ali | The Arts Club Dubai
Hamed Ali sits at the helm of two of Dubai’s most powerful financial organizations - Dubai Financial Market and NASDAQ Dubai. Under his leadership, UAE witnessed DEWA’s historic IPO listing, becoming the biggest IPO in UAE financial market’s history and the second-largest IPO in the Middle East historically. Hamed played a significant role in the launch of Nasdaq Dubai’s equity derivatives on UAE
A Founder's Story: How Butheina Kazim built Cinema Akil | The Arts Club Dubai
Butheina Kazim decided to work in cinema 15 years ago and planted the seeds that led to the founding of Cinema Akil in 2014 when she started showcasing independent films as nomadic cinematic interventions in various spaces around Dubai. At the time she was targeting a very small community of film afficionados. By 2018 Cinema Akil was a permanent venue and film sanctuary in Dubai, making it the GCC
A Founder's Story: How Ralph Debbas built W Motors | The Arts Club Dubai
From graphic design to automotive design, Ralph Debbas’ journey led him to launch W Motors, the first ever developer and manufacturer of high-performance luxury sports cars in the Middle East at age 25. In 2013, he built one of the world’s most expensive cars – the $3.4m Lykan Hypersport, successfully diversified the Company’s portfolio and is building the first fully-fledged automotive factory in
The Culture Dispatch: Woke Capitalism in 2023? | The Arts Club Dubai
Wokeness is a buzzword which found prominence in the mid-2010s in the form of a mass campaign to raise awareness for significant social issues. Soon thereafter it was used and arguably abused by mainstream media for marketing campaigns designed to appeal to millennials. It wasn’t long until it revived a corporate framework first introduced in 2004 called ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance.
Meet The Artist: Daniel Crews-Chubb | The Arts Club Dubai
We welcome artist Daniel Crews-Chubb for an intimate fireside chat on the occasion of his exhibition of five of his totemic paintings at The Arts Club Dubai.Looking back on his career as a renowned painter with a deeply expressive painting style, Daniel discusses his process, Greek mythology, and the personal experiences that have informed his work.Moderated by: Pernilla Holmes - Wedel Art (Direct
A Founder's Story: How Essam Al Tamimi built Al Tamimi & Co | The Arts Club Dubai
Essam Al Tamimi founded Al Tamimi & Co in January 1989 with just one secretary at his side. By July of that year, the firm had five lawyers. Today, they have 450 legal professionals in 17 offices across 10 countries and is a leading corporate law firm in our region.But where did it all start? Whether it be from their parents’ garage, from having had a life-changing conversation, or simply bein
Authored Live: ABRI | The Arts Club Dubai
An extension to the Authored series, Authored Live brings into focus the practice of songwriting, lyrical performance, and music production. Special guest authors are invited to share their professional journeys in intimate fireside chats and to perform their work on stage. This month, we are pleased to welcome singer-songwriter ABRI for a chat about his career in the UAE and his subsequent succes
A Founder's Story: How Magnus Olsson co-built Careem | The Arts Club Dubai
Magnus and his co-founder Mudassir Sheikha wanted to build something “big and meaningful”. So, they began looking for ideas and gave their research a code name: ‘Project Bamboo’. They proceeded to make a list of the difficulties they had faced living in the region. They found one and saw an incredible opportunity. This was just over ten years ago. Today, it is a super app with operations in over 1
The Art Cereal: Contemporary African Art in Today's Market | The Arts Club Dubai
We discuss Contemporary African Art in relation to the global market. Our guest panelists outline why they collect art and what factors inform their collecting patterns.Listen to Fabien Fryns, collector and founder of Fabien Fryns Fine Art and Kwame Mintah, collector and co-founder of Efie Gallery, in a panel discussion moderated by journalist Rebecca Anne Proctor.
Authored: 50U | 50 years United Arab Emirates | The Arts Club Dubai
In celebration of the UAE’s National Day, this month we highlight the book 50U. A publication which paints an intimate picture of life in the Emirates through the memories, hopes, and ambitions of its inhabitants. Factual accounts of the UAE’s history told alongside human stories that are the result of extensive interviews with the young nation’s residents and visitors.A special panel discussion w
Authored: The Making of Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Between Sunrise and Sunset / Works 1986-2022 | The Arts Club Dubai
For the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2022, the National Pavilion UAE presented a major new work by Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, a single work making up the entire exhibition of the National Pavilion UAE in Venice which is curated by Maya Allison. The work was accompanied by a monographic book titled Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Between Sunrise and Sunset / Works 19
The Culture Dispatch: Human Space Flight - Myths, Reality, and Opportunities | The Arts Club Dubai
From high-altitude balloon trips to astronaut boot camps, reusable suborbital rocket systems designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line, to trips around the moon - tourist reservations for getting off planet Earth are skyrocketing. Hear from astronaut and UAE resident Hamish Harding, Blue Origin’s NS-21 crew member, Director of Business Development, Logan Ware and Anna
Authored Live: Layla May | The Arts Club Dubai
An extension to the Authored series, Authored Live brings into focus the practice of songwriting, lyrical performance and music production, as it welcomes the guest authors to perform their work on stage. For our inaugural evening, we are pleased to welcome singer-songwriter Layla May for a chat about her practice, followed by an intimate live performance of her distinct vocal runs.
The Culture Dispatch: The Role of Soft Power Today | The Arts Club Dubai
Organised in collaboration with The Diplomacy Lab, this panel discussion looks at the increasing role of soft power diplomacy in building bridges, coexistence, interfaith alliance, expanding cooperation and meeting mutual policy objectives in the UAE and across the region. Panelists discuss the evolving role of UAE diplomacy, the shifts in international platforms and the study of emerging forms of
An Evening With: Nick Midwood | The Arts Club Dubai
Fine wine and spirit bottles have long been the subject of investment for connoisseurs and businesses from around the world, but it is now sparking the curiosity of less seasoned collectors. Building a portfolio of rare bottles is not only a high-brow and stylish endeavour, but it also appears to be a profitable one. But where to start? What are the dos and don’ts? Tricks of the trade? Sit with ex
The Art Cereal: What Is Good Art? | The Arts Club Dubai
Collectors, curators, editors and gallerists are the tastemakers of the art world. They influence the art market’s global trends with their seal of approval - an market valued at over 65 billion dollars in 2021. But how do they discern good art from bad art? Is there a secret rule book? Do they all agree? From Marcel Duchamp’s world-famous urinal (Fountain, 1917) to the USD 120,000 sale of a duct
Authored Live: Poetry Night | The Arts Club Dubai
This month we invite Members onto the stage of our late-night lounge for an intimate evening celebrating the spoken word. Aspiring poets and brave enthusiasts are welcome to speak words of their own creation and those of others which have inspired them, from music lyrics to classical sonnets. Special guest poets Salem Al Attas and chamæleon will also take the stage for a unique performance of thei
An Evening With: Mark Mobius | The Arts Club Dubai
Nicknamed The Godfather of Emerging Markets, Mark Mobius has travelled to most corners of the globe in his quest to discover undervalued companies. He headed up the emerging markets department of Franklin Templeton Investments where he grew a $100m investment into a fund of more than $50bn over a 30-year spell, after which he launched Mobius Capital Partners. The author and finance guru speaks abo
The Art Cereal: Meet the artist 'M' aka Michael Chow | The Arts Club Dubai
The world knows him a restauranteur, a pioneer whose eponymous restaurant Mr.Chow changed the canon of fine dining everywhere it went, but to understand Michael Chow is to first understand the artist: M.An explorer since 1951, whose path had once upon a time directed him away from his artmaking, has finally brought him back, and we are delighted to have him share his extraordinary life story for a
The Culture Dispatch: Dubai: Fashion Capital? | The Arts Club Dubai
Dubai: Fashion Capital?You might think so, and yet.. Paris, Milan, New York and London are the “Big Four” fashion capitals of the world, and many others are contending to make it on this coveted list i.e. Tokyo, São Paulo, Los Angeles, Berlin and of course, Dubai. What will it take for Dubai? Is there a roadmap in the legacy of these Western capitals? Fashion capitals are defined by the huge influ
Authored: Dr. Omar Kholeif on writing 'Goodbye World! Looking at Art in the Digital Age' | The Arts Club Dubai
Omar Kholeif is the author, co-author, and editor of over 30 books, of which seven have focused on the concept of internet art. Their anthology, You Are Here: Art After the Internet from 2013 is widely acknowledged as the first book to look at ‘post-internet art’ and is taught globally. In this ‘Authored’ conversation, Dr. Kholeif reflects on their recent books including, Goodbye, World! Looking a
Authored: Sarah Khan on writing about travel | The Arts Club Dubai
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” – Ibn Battuta Is travel journalism the most coveted job on the face of the earth? We sit down with Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast Traveller ME Sarah Khan - who has reported from six continents for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time, Vogue and many more - to find out about her adventures as a passport collector and
A Founder's Story: How Mikey Muhanna Built afikra | عفكرة | The Arts Club Dubai
Who is the real Aladdin? What was happening in the Arab world during the West’s Roaring Twenties? Why is the evil eye, evil? Mikey Muhanna, who had spent over a decade working at firms Morgan Stanley and PwC, set out to find the answer to these questions when he founded afikra | عفكرة in 2014. It all started on a Brooklyn rooftop, where a small group of friends began discussing how little we all
Authored Live: Dania Bdeir on writing WARSHA | The Arts Club Dubai
Warsha is Sundance Film Festival’s 2022 winner of The Short Film Jury Award for best International Fiction. Written and directed by Syrian/Lebanese Dania Bdeir this incredible 16 minute short film follows the story of Mohammad, a Syrian crane operator in Beirut. One day, he volunteers to take on one of the tallest and notoriously most dangerous cranes in Lebanon. Away from everyone’s eyes, he is
The Art Cereal: Meet the artist Akram Zaatari | The Arts Club Dubai
We welcome artist Akram Zaatari on the occasion of his exhibition at The Arts Club Dubai titled ‘The End of Love’.Looking back on his career as a renowned photographer and archivist, Akram will discuss the importance of protecting and preserving the photographic history of the Arab World. - In conversation with Ruba Alsweel, Communications Manager at Art Jameel.
The Culture Dispatch: Metaverse: 21st Century Breakthrough or Downfall? | The Arts Club Dubai
Directly from those who are imagining, designing and executing the world of tomorrow, this month we explore the notoriously divisive Metaverse through a legal, social and economic lens. Will the Metaverse destabilise reality? What legal framework can we expect? Are there foreseeable hazards to a successful Metaverse? We have a invited a stellar panel of experts to tell us all. Moderated by Anas Bh
A Founder's Story: How Dr Micheal Fakih Built FAKIH IVF | The Arts Club Dubai
Since 1987 Dr. Michael Fakih has been responsible for over 12,000 In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) deliveries. A pioneer in his field, Dr. Fakih co-founded the Fakih IVF Fertility Centre which is today one of the leading centres of its kind in the entire GCC. From innovation to stigma, and now a fast-growing trend, Dr. Fakih shares his extraordinary journey in this remarkable field of medicine.
Authored: Mohammed Saeed Harib on writing FREEJ | The Arts Club Dubai
Mohammed Saeed Harib In conversation with Butheina Kazim, Founder of Cinema Akil.Since their TV introduction in 2007, and now on Netflix, it is very likely that you have come across the four elderly Emirati women that make up the cast of one of the region’s most popular animated series, FREEJ. The four intrepid grannies, whose lives we follow as they try to navigate a modern Dubai, are Mohammed’s
The Culture Dispatch: DEBATE: Social Media is Good for Journalism | The Arts Club Dubai
Social media’s exponential growth in the past decade has made it an integral part of our daily lives, and in turn has tremendously expanded the scope of content exchange and dissemination across the world. Platforms like Instagram or Twitter have emerged as key sources of news for the public at large and are an important tool for journalists to reach wider audiences and boost interaction. But has
The Culture Dispatch: History Of House Music | The Arts Club Dubai
Ever wondered about the difference between dubstep, disco house, 2 step, moombahton, gabber and psytrance? What is EDM, anyway?Join us for this audio-visual journey across the decades to explore the history of dance music, brought to you by Noah Raford of the Dubai Future Foundation. This immersive experience will take place in the Club’s new late night lounge and will include sounds, samples, vid
The Culture Dispatch: CRYPTO DE-CRYPTED | The Arts Club Dubai
It's 2021, Cryptocurrency and NFTs have taken the world by storm and become heroes of dinner table talk. Elon Musk is tweeting endlessly about “Doge going to the moon” while the youth on TikTok is shilling the next “NFT avatar” that will pump 1000x and supposedly make millions of dollars. But what does it all mean? Do you feel lost in the middle of this crypto jargon? We invite our Members t
The Art Cereal: WHITE CUBES IN THE DESERT | The Arts Club Dubai
Three Gallerists' Tales on Setting Up their Dubai Spaces.Three young and ambitious art dealers steer some of Dubai’s leading art galleries, and in so doing, have tremendously contributed to Dubai’s now thriving art community. What knowledge and foresight in a then-nascent cultural arena did they possess? How did they explore, persevere, and create their galleries’ rosters? The Arts Club Dubai
The Culture Dispatch: Robots, Automation and You | The Arts Club Dubai
Sensational headlines, dramatic stories and nightly news bring us astounding reports on breakthroughs in robotics, AI and automation almost every day. These are often followed with questions like “Will robots take our jobs? Will we be overrun by AI?”Beneath these scary headlines, however, a small group of talented engineers, programmers and business people are quietly working away, building new pr
A Founder's Story: How Ronaldo Mouchawar Built Souq.com | The Arts Club Dubai
Son of a merchant from Aleppo, Syria, Ronaldo Mouchawar built a company in 2005 which was to make history. He founded the largest online marketplace of the Arab world – Souq.com. In 2017, the e-commerce platform was acquired by Amazon with a valuation of over $1 billion. Some of the best founding stories begin like this one. Join us as Philip Bahoshy, founder and CEO of MAGNiTT – a leading ventur
The Culture Dispatch: Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi introduces us to Watches of the 70s | The Arts Club Dubai
An avid watch connoisseur and collector, we look forward to welcoming Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Chief Commercial Officer of Seddiqi Holding, as he takes us on a retrospective of iconic watches and unique milestones in the industry from the 1970s. Since the early 1950s, the Seddiqi family has been synonymous with luxury timepieces, driven by the vision and passion for horology of Ahmed Qasim Se
The Art Cereal: Meet The Artist Ralph Heimans | The Arts Club Dubai
We are delighted to welcome London-based artist, Ralph Heimans, one of today’s leading portraitists, to the Club this May to talk about his outstanding career-to-date and the art of Royal portraiture. Ralph Heimans' large-scale portraits are renowned for their innovative compositions that offer engaging narratives about his subjects and their life stories. They are informed by a creative inte
Authored: Myrna Ayad on writing Assouline’s Sheikh Zayed volume | The Arts Club Dubai
In 1968, the coastal Arab emirates entered into an unprecedented phase of vulnerability. The British, who had protected the emirates for 150 years, suddenly announced their intention to withdraw from the region. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, knew there was only one way forward: the emirates had to unite under a single nation. In December of 1971, after a series of nego
A Founder’s Story: How Mona Ataya Built Mumzworld | The Arts Club Dubai
Mona Ataya is one of the Middle East’s most prominent entrepreneurs. In 2011 she co-founded an e-commerce platform dedicated to all things mother, baby & child called Mumzworld. Today, it has the largest online inventory available in the GCC and is the #1 funded women-led e-commerce company in the Middle East.Some of the best founding stories begin like this one. Philip Bahoshy, founder and CE
