Swirl of colours, shapes and styles united in Dubai

Art Africa Magazine, 14 March 2019
Art to Z: Spring Group Exhibition at AKKA Project, Dubai
 
On March 18th, a swirl of colours, shapes and styles united into a celebration to close the Dubai artistic season before the beginning one in Venice, Italy where Akka project recently opened a new gallery.
An art event that brings together African Art and Culture to the Dubai community, everyone is invited to this reunion of friendship and cross-cultural connections.
 
Akka Project is excited to present an artwork that interweaves new digital technology with tactile material in a stunning project by the South African artist Linda Hollier, that recently joined the gallery, in #Interact2connect.
 
What to expect:
4-6pm Enjoy the afternoon with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
4 pm Efro & Co presenting “The Salon: an artistic interpretation”
5 pm #Interact2connect” by Linda Holler
7-10pm DJ Queen Bri will heat-up the early evening with her music
During the evening a food truck will be available for refreshments
©Peteros Ndunde
 
“The Salon: an artistic interpretation”
by Efro & Co in collaboration with Dahlia Mahmoud.
Efro & Co is a brand centred on ethical fabric, designs and production. The styles of each collection bolster a sense of originality and East African traditions. The installation for “Arty Party” is designed to bring a sense of African everyday beauty inside the art gallery.
The beauty of the culture is mimicked in the set design, raw materials, bold colours and synthesised photographic elements will bring in a mystical sense of juxtaposed African nostalgia and futurism. People will be invited to interact with experiential designs and performances. Traditional Ethiopian coffee and finger food will be served during the event to delight all the senses.
 
©Linda Hollier
 
#Interact2connect” by Linda Holler | South Africa
Already well known for her masterful use of slow shutter photography and apps available for ‘painting’ on her cellphone screen, Linda takes a step further and prints these works on a thin gauze-like fabric used for traditional Ethiopian shawls which she came upon at a festival, during a visit to Rome.
The transparency of the cloth, when held to the light, offers a further dimension as it ‘interacts’ with its surrounding, incorporating objects or people who are behind it. Not only does the actual environment become a background for the work but Linda, in her constant work of connecting technology to reality and the people in it, asks people she meets to hold up the works. This connects the person, to the surrounding, to the digitally created work creating a circular interaction.
This reminds us that everything is connected.
 
©Kadara Enyeasi
 
Exhibition opening hours: Wed, Thur, Sat from 11 am to 6 pm
or by appointment +971 58 55 76369
 
©David Thuku
 
About the AKKA Project
AKKA Project presents multidimensional exhibitions and immersive art experiences. It highlights the magic behind contemporary art, specifically promoting artists from Africa and its diaspora. AKKA Project goes beyond the viewer’s expectations of a one-dimensional offering, which is typically found in art galleries. Rather it focuses on creating a holistic and multi-sensory experience for anyone who takes an interest in art.