Passionate, dramatic, colorful and psychologically probing, Opera is a fascinating and ever changing art with universal appeal. Open to everyone who would like to begin to develop or widen their knowledge of Opera, this course will explore how Opera works on stage and trace its history during the 18th and 19th centuries. The course will focus on some of the best loved works by Handel, Rameau, Mozart, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini and their contemporaries. Content: 1. Introduction - conventions and the Operatic paradigm. 2. Opera in the 18th century. 3. Mozart and Italian Opera. 4. Mozart and German Opera. 5. The age of bel canto. 6. Giuseppe Verdi. 7. Breaking the mold – Wagner’s earlier work. 8. French 19th century Opera. 9. Towards a new art form – Wagner’s later work. 10. Puccini and the art of verismo. David Lesser studied the piano at the Royal College of Music in London and then the music composition at the University of Huddersfield. He was Senior Teaching Fellow in Music and Open Studies Certificate Cocoordinator at the University of Warwick (1993-2007). His music has been widely performed in Britain and Europe by Ensemble Aleph, Accroche Note, Linda Hirst, Ian Pace and others. As a performer he specializes in the music of the Twentieth century, vocal repertoire, and has given a number of world and British premieres. He is active as a composer, performer, lecturer and teacher. PREVIEW VISUALS

Passionate, dramatic, colorful and psychologically probing, Opera is a fascinating and ever changing art with universal appeal. Open to everyone who would like to begin to develop or widen their knowledge of Opera, this course will explore how Opera works on stage and trace its history during the 18th and 19th centuries. The course will focus on some of the best loved works by Handel, Rameau, Mozart, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini and their contemporaries. Content: 1. Introduction - conventions and the Operatic paradigm. 2. Opera in the 18th century. 3. Mozart and Italian Opera. 4. Mozart and German Opera. 5. The age of bel canto. 6. Giuseppe Verdi. 7. Breaking the mold – Wagner’s earlier work. 8. French 19th century Opera. 9. Towards a new art form – Wagner’s later work. 10. Puccini and the art of verismo. David Lesser studied the piano at the Royal College of Music in London and then the music composition at the University of Huddersfield. He was Senior Teaching Fellow in Music and Open Studies Certificate Cocoordinator at the University of Warwick (1993-2007). His music has been widely performed in Britain and Europe by Ensemble Aleph, Accroche Note, Linda Hirst, Ian Pace and others. As a performer he specializes in the music of the Twentieth century, vocal repertoire, and has given a number of world and British premieres. He is active as a composer, performer, lecturer and teacher.

1. Drawing: shapes, proportions, spacing and lines 2. Theory of colors: primary/secondary colours 3. Mixed Media: Newspaper, magazine and collage 4. The Use of brushes and paint 5. Texture: Sand 6. Imagine and Create 7. Practice: Mixed media 8. Media: Textile 9. Final practice: Mixed media Shefali Ranthe has ethnic roots from Bangladesh and Denmark. Her educational background is graphic design and painting from the Art & Craft School in Kolding, Denmark.

1. Pen & ink drawing and imaginative drawing. 2. Mixed media drawings 3. Collage-fun with collage. A brief look at the history of collage. 4. Drawing with collage – experimenting with materials. 5. Collage – cut-outs and printed imagery. 6. Self-portrait – in the manner of Julian Opie. 7. Self-portrait – in the manner of Julian Opie (continuation) 8. Finish self-portrait, mount and display. James Matthews M.A. is an artist and art teacher currently working and living in the United Arab Emirates. He gained his Master of Fine Art Degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Bachelor Degree in Fine Art at the University of Hull, England. James has exhibited his work on a frequent basis in the United Kingdom and the U.A.E. He has taught art to all age groups from primary to adults in many prestigious UK schools and schools in the Emirates. He has won awards, prizes and commendations for his artwork. James is currently involved in producing his own work and work on commission for clients in the UAE. He has produced work for both public and private commissions.

Fusing art and music, the graphic scores of the 1950s and ‘60s offer a rich variety of dramatic performance opportunities. Taking three of the best known examples of graphic scores – Cathy Barbarian’s Stripsody, John Cage’s Aria and Cornelius Carew’s Treatise this practical workshop will focus on the creative processes involved in realizing these fascinating works. The session will conclude with performances of all three works by the participants. This workshop will provide valuable experience in improvisation, interpretation, and performance skills for singers and actors, audition and recital students as well as anybody with an interest in the aesthetics of avant-garde music. All you need is your voice and your imagination! Clare Lesser studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, Birmingham University and Birmingham Conservatoire. Then, at the University of Sussex, she completed groundbreaking research on the music of B.A. Zimmermann. She specializes in the performance of 20th and 21st century music, and has collaborated with many composers on new works, giving over fifty premieres. She has recorded Lieder by Wolfgang Rihm, chamber music by Richard Emsley, the works for solo soprano and soprano with instrumental trio by Michael Finnissy, and many other contemporary classics. She has performed throughout Europe, including at the Edinburgh and Avignon International Festivals. She was nominated for the Royal Philharmonic Society Singing Award in 2003.

Session 1: Drawing and painting technique Session 2: Mixed Media Content: Session 1: Each one will have a copy of the mask; will learn how to see to be able to draw it with the different shapes, proportions, spacing and lines; will learn about mixing colors; will learn about primary/secondary colors; will learn the proper use of brushes and painting of the mask. Session 2: To learn about using different media to apply on canvas; will have an introduction to texture. Shefali Ranthe has ethnic roots from Bangladesh and Denmark. Her educational background is graphic design and painting from the Art & Craft School in Kolding, Denmark.

Papier Mache is an exciting, fun and versatile medium for the creation of art. It has limitless possibilities and is superb for the production of 3-dimensional pieces of art. Creating humorous and comical pieces of art based upon everyday objects from fruit and food to figures and animals. Content: Session 1: -Introduction to Papier Mache -Look at examples of Papier Mache sculptures by other artists -Create designs & drawings (considering scale & color) and discuss ideas for papier mache sculpture Session 2: -Begin construction of papier mache sculpture -How to create form -Use other objects as moulds Session 3: -Construction of papier mache sculpture -Begin painting of the papier mache sculpture -Mixing and application of paint Session 4: -Painting papier mache sculpture -Finish papier mache sculpture James Matthews M.A. is an artist and art teacher currently working and living in the United Arab Emirates. He gained his Master of Fine Art Degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Bachelor Degree in Fine Art at the University of Hull, England. James has exhibited his work on a frequent basis in the United Kingdom and the U.A.E. He has taught art to all age groups from primary to adults in many prestigious UK schools and schools in the Emirates. He has won awards, prizes and commendations for his artwork. James is currently involved in producing his own work and work on commission for clients in the UAE. He has produced work for both public and private commissions.

Mono Printing lies in the area between painting and printmaking. A flat surface (i.e. glass or a mirror, etc.) is used to draw a design/image on using paint or ink, either painted on or applied with a roller. The layer of ink is either drawn into or wiped away. An impression is taken by placing paper over the inked or painted surface and then rubbing or burnishing the back of the paper, the pressure of the burnishing adheres the image to the paper; usually one impression is taken hence the name mono print; however two or even three impressions can be made. There are a variety of ways to make mono prints. The workshops at artsawa will cover these various processes. Content: Session 1: -Introduction – Linear Drawing Mono-Prints -Mark making, line and tone Session 2: -Painting Mono-Printing -Looking at color & mark making -Developing textures Session 3: -Traditional mono printing -Collage mono-printing Session 4: -Over printing -Combining various mono-print processes James Matthews M.A. is an artist and art teacher currently working and living in the United Arab Emirates. He gained his Master of Fine Art Degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Bachelor Degree in Fine Art at the University of Hull, England. James has exhibited his work on a frequent basis in the United Kingdom and the U.A.E. He has taught art to all age groups from primary to adults in many prestigious UK schools and schools in the Emirates. He has won awards, prizes and commendations for his artwork. James is currently involved in producing his own work and work on commission for clients in the UAE. He has produced work for both public and private commissions.

Mono Printing lies in the area between painting and printmaking. A flat surface (i.e. glass or a mirror, etc.) is used to draw a design/image on using paint or ink, either painted on or applied with a roller. The layer of ink is either drawn into or wiped away. An impression is taken by placing paper over the inked or painted surface and then rubbing or burnishing the back of the paper, the pressure of the burnishing adheres the image to the paper, usually one impression is taken hence the name mono print, however two or even three impressions can be made. There are a variety of ways to make mono prints. The workshops at artsawa will cover these various processes. Content: Session 1: -Introduction – Linear Drawing Mono-Prints -Mark making, line and tone Session 2: -Painting Mono-Printing -Looking at color & mark making -Developing textures Session 3: -Traditional mono printing -Collage mono-printing Session 4: -Over printing -Combining various mono-print processes James Matthews M.A. is an artist and art teacher currently working and living in the United Arab Emirates. He gained his Master of Fine Art Degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Bachelor Degree in Fine Art at the University of Hull, England. James has exhibited his work on a frequent basis in the United Kingdom and the U.A.E. He has taught art to all age groups from primary to adults in many prestigious UK schools and schools in the Emirates. He has won awards, prizes and commendations for his artwork. James is currently involved in producing his own work and work on commission for clients in the UAE. He has produced work for both public and private commissions.

"At the forefront of the avant-garde for over six decades, the music of the American composer John Cage (1912-1992) has had a huge impact on late-20th/21st century aesthetics. This lecture will explore Cage\`s life, work and influence on music, poetry, art and culture, and will examine the many profound challenges it raises to our conventional understanding of the arts in contemporary society." Come and cherish the life and work of John Cage David Lesser studied the piano at the Royal College of Music in London and then the music composition at the University of Huddersfield. He was Senior Teaching Fellow in Music and Open Studies Certificate Cocoordinator at the University of Warwick (1993-2007). His music has been widely performed in Britain and Europe by Ensemble Aleph, Accroche Note, Linda Hirst, Ian Pace and others. As a performer he specializes in the music of the Twentieth century, vocal repertoire, and has given a number of world and British premieres. He is active as a composer, performer, lecturer and teacher. PREVIEW VISUALS

While participants are free to carry independent projects, they will be encouraged to focus on the element of Urbanism, a theme often regarded from an architectural point of view as opposed to a social aspect. Greater emphasis will be given to the impact of of urbanism onto social identity. During the course of the workshop, participants will be requested to dwell deeper into the structure of urbanism – Residential Developments, Public Spaces, Historic Sites - research the social reasoning behind and how it affects the identity of the local community. Schedule: April 23 9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Documentary Photography - Brief History 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch Break 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Portfolio & Project Review April 24 9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Assignment 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch Break 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Critique of Work in Progress April 25 9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Assignment 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch Break 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Final Critique of Work Candidates interested in taking the workshop are required to email 8 to 10 samples of recent works (jpg format 72 dpi, longer side not exceeding 20 cm), with a brief statement why they are interested in taking the workshop. The workshop is limited to 12 participants. Selected works will be exhibited at Art Sawa along the works of Camille Zakharia. About Camille Zackaria: http://artsawa.com/ArtistsList?AID=NDQ1

Come to Art Sawa and paint your Easter Eggs with us!

For over three centuries Italian composers and dramatists have developed opera into a national art form that captures the changing facets of social, cultural, political and emotional life. Designed for anyone who would like to extend their knowledge, this course explores the development of Italian opera from the end of the Renaissance to the start of the 20th century, focusing upon some of the greatest achievements of composers such as Monteverdi, Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini and their contemporaries. Content: 1. The beginnings – Monteverdi’s Orfeo 2. Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Cavalli’s La calisto and the origins of commercial opera 3. The rise of opera seria 4. The development of comic opera – Paisiello and La serva padrona 5. Rossini and Rossini mania – Il barbiere de Siviglia 6. The Donizetti, Bellini and age of bel canto 7. Verdi and the dominance of historical opera 8. Verdi’s mature style – Don Carlo and Otello 9. Realism and verismo - Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana 10. Turandot - Puccini’s final masterpiece David Lesser studied the piano at the Royal College of Music in London and then the music composition at the University of Huddersfield. He was Senior Teaching Fellow in Music and Open Studies Certificate Cocoordinator at the University of Warwick (1993-2007). His music has been widely performed in Britain and Europe by Ensemble Aleph, Accroche Note, Linda Hirst, Ian Pace and others. As a performer he specializes in the music of the Twentieth century, vocal repertoire, and has given a number of world and British premieres. He is active as a composer, performer, lecturer and teacher.

Rachid Khimoune discusses the creation and process of his project “Children of the World”, which comprises twenty-one remarkable sculptures depicting twenty-one children from all over the world, twenty-one being a metaphor for the 21stcentury in which the works were created. Rachid Khimoune’s artistic approach is rich, unique, and contemporary and appeals to an international audience: the artist has travelled the world searching for the original roots of his subjects and their cities.

50 %of the Proceeds to be donated to START (Humanitarian Arts programming for the Middle East). In March 2007 the Al Madad Foundation and Art Dubai worked in partnership to launch START. START delivers practical arts education to young people. We organize gallery tours, artist`s lectures, exhibitions and workshops for all young people in the community and we aim to reach out specifically to teens with special needs, orphans, refugees and working children. START enriches the lives of young people by helping them to discover their talents and develop new skills they can be proud of. Workshops are taught by practicing arts professionals who volunteer and we offer training to people who wish to volunteer and teach young people with START. START is a non-profit program. We are funded from donations and devote this money to purchasing art supplies and organizing art workshops that are free. Ahmed Askalany was born in 1978, Nag Hammadi, Egypt. He lives and works in Cairo. Askalany’s work retains an explicit connection with traditional materials and craft methods associated with the ancient cultures of Egypt. Woven palm leaves and resin offer him an essential association with his native roots. His subjects include human figures and animals inspired and representative of his native town, Nag Hammadi, in Upper Egypt. The figurines are characterised by a preserved, mummified-like look. Nonetheless, the work remains of a profound nature, possessing a certain gesture and a sense of innocence reflecting a sense of frankness, candour and irony. Askalany’s work is characterised by traditional plastic forms that place emphasis on structure and volume. Yet, his approach remains far from being restrictive. On the contrary, Askalany challenges the very boundaries associated with the notion of what is perceived as crafts and the arts. He offers a new capacity for interpretation and aesthetic value. By doing so, Askalany manages to respond and contribute to the complexity of contemporary artistic practice. “Simplicity is my philosophy – to convey the idea directly to the viewer without going into detail.” Ahmed Askalany PREVIEW VISUALS

Assi’s sharply defined portraits of still impression elongated and often melancholic figures of young men and women call for attention alongside her cluttered cityscapes that are crammed with wires, television antennas and buildings stacked precariously on top of one another. Her canvasses are filled with interwoven lines set against bold fields of colour abstractions. Lines of varied width and texture swirl rhythmically beyond the picture plane thus echoing the sense of a dynamic energy. Zena Assi never makes preparatory sketches and instead begins by priming her canvases directly. The base layer is created using mixed media followed by adding different textures and materials; tissue paper, cloth, broken brushes to name a few. The result is contrasting layers of thick impasto. The artist often finishes off with a layer of oil colours which give her canvasses their peculiar, vigorous luminosity. “To fall short of perfection is not a failure but a process of erasure. It is the trace left by the ineluctable diminution that accompanies the realisation of the drawing.” - E. Schiele, painter “Those moments of heady exaltation which all creators experience and whose shorter or longer duration is the only thing that distinguishes the artist from the dreamer.” - G. Richter, painter “I used to hate it. Now I love it, this chaos we have here.” - Zena Assi Zena Assi: http://artsawa.com/ArtistsList?AID=Mw2 PREVIEW VISUALS