The Mangroves from the Water Festival dates confirmed!!

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We are pleased to announce the dates have been confirmed for our Festival, Wednesdsay 8th to Saturday 11th March at Khor al Miqas in the Umm Al Quwain mangroves – the first festival of its kind in UAQ.

The festival is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’ala, who will attend the opening on 8th of March, and supported by Her Highness Sheikha Sumaya bint Saqr Al Qassimi, who will attend the closing events on ladies day, Saturday 11th March.
The four day festival will entail art exhibitions and workshops by local artists, poetry readings, story telling, dance and music performances, short film screenings, environmental lectures; sporting events such as a traditional boat race, kayaking, diving, paragliding and yoga sessions.
All events will take place within the area next to mangroves, focusing on heritage and the beauty of the surrounding environment. There will be entertainment throughout the day, as well as play area for children, and F&B facilities.
On Wednesday, 8 March, we shall unveil the “We’ll keep you safe” (2016-17) Community Project in its full glory. The national and international community participated in this project by sending knitted and crocheted squares of fibers, which has been assembled in a large artwork, to be installed next to the mangroves. The aim is to create a structure of 45 meters, to celebrate the 45th Year of Union in the Emirates.
Book your stay at Flamingo Beach Resort, who has special rates and free boat trips for the weekend!
Also make sure to book your spot on the house boat trips courtesy of the Umm Al Quwain Marine Club!
Hope to see you there!!!

“We’ll keep you safe”(2016-17) Community Project’s big reveal!!!

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We are experiencing some major excitement in the anticipation of the big reveal of the We’ll keep you safe Community Project.

The squares have poured in from various local communities, knitters and crafters, as well as international contributions from as far as Canada and Finland! It is colourful and beautiful…and we are hoping it is reaching 45 meters, to coincide with the 45th year of Spirit of the Union (UAE union celebrated in December 2016).

Installation to happen shortly in the mangroves of Umm Al Quwain and the big reveal is Wednesday 8th March, 10 am, at the opening of the Mangroves from the Water Festival.

mftw-flyer-festival-blanket

Open call for the next Mangroves from the Water exhibition

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Open Call

The “Mangroves from the Water” exhibition is to occur for a second year

in January-February 2017.

We are looking for people with a unique artistic touch to reach out to people’s mind and soul. If you feel you can add something to humanity, then please contact us. We want to protect the mangrove forests of the UAE. The UAQ mangroves are in particular danger from daily chopping and littering. Mangroves are a haven for fish, birds and other animals. Mangrove forests are also efficient carbon reducers; they are vital for the ecology of the planet.


Our appeal is to have the mangrove forests designated as a UAQ national park, as the 7km distance has all the natural plants and birds. All we need to do is look after it all!
We are not after a CV or biography, we are after your strong art. If you are a painter, sculptor, photographer, writer, poet, scientist graphic designer, short movie producer, a fashion designer, musicians, sport coach, then please show us a piece of your work about the mangroves or its habitat by 30 November 2016. Send it through our exhibition Facebook page after you press the “like” button.
https://www.facebook.com/mangrovesfromthewater/
Please also visit our blog to know more about us and what we have done since October 2015. See the photo albums of the previous exhibitions!
http://www.Mangroves from the Water.wordpress.com

Mangroves from the Water exhibition will be exhibited next to the mangroves under a traditional Emirati tent. Our exhibition will accompany some sport events like, kayaking, running and walking along the 7km in Khor Al Beida.

Guest photographer Toby Smith debuts this week

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We are happy to announce that we have a guest photographer participate in our project this month.

Toby Smith is based in Cambridge and  works internationally on photography projects concerning landscape, environment, industrial and science stories.

Toby graduated with a Masters in Contemporary Photography from London College of Communication in 2008. This was after spending time employed both in the British Army Infantry and 2 years working across Africa utilizing his bachelors degree in Environmental Science. His focus now lies on large-scale photography and research projects for editorial publication, exhibition, communication and advocacy. He is represented globally by Getty Images Reportage and the Artist in Residence at the University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute. 
In February 2016 Toby was commissioned by the Imagine Science Films to produce original photographic artwork for their exhibition ATMOSPHERES. Atmospheres is a sci-art exhibition held in conjunction with the Imagine Science Film Festival Abu Dhabi, the NYUAD Arts Center, and the NYUAD Art Gallery.  Toby chose to spend 5 days exploring the UAE coastline focusing on the loss, destruction and modification of coastal habitats. He visited the mangroves in Umm Al Quwain too!
We thank him for his time and support!
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Toby on location
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Dredge (2016)
Toby_Smith_Mangroves_Final
Mangroves (2016)