Essential Links and Information: MFTW Research Chapter 3

This page is dedicated to compiling all links related to Autoethnography for Chapter Three of the ‘Mangroves from the Water’ exegesis.

‘Mangroves from the Water’ touring exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2015-2016 and 2017 Mangroves Festival.

Two catalogues detailing the exhibitions and the festival can be viewed at these sites:

  1. https://mangrovesfromthewater.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mangrovesfromthewater-catalogue.pdf
  2. https://mangrovesfromthewater.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mangroves-from-the-water-mftw-2015-2017-booklet.pdf

Detailed festival catalogue about the artists and official opening statements by authorities and decision makers can be viewed at: 

  1. https://mangrovesfromthewater.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/mangroves-from-the-water-catalogue.pdf.
  2. Mangroves Information signs, kindly provided by HCT-SJW – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

Kayaking and Sketching, Artists Workshops and Events During the MFTW Festival.

  1. Fantastic opportunity to paint from a kayak in the mangroves!!Workshop with Zahidah – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. The story behind the blanket. We’ll keep you safe (2016-17) Community Project – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  3. Photos from our first day of Festival! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  4. Guest artists and performers at the Mangroves Festival – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  5. Exhibiting artists at the Mangroves from the Water Festival – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  6. Weekend’s events at the Mangroves Festival – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  7. Music by the mangroves. Karam Salahie performing live at our festival. – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  8. Music performance by JawaHer at the Mangroves Festival 2017 – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  9. Hula Hoop performance at the Mangroves Festival – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  10. Free, fun events and children’s activities! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  11. Film, Guardian of the Mangroves, (fiction, 9 minutes, 2015)

The film produced by Alexis Gambis, the founder of the Imagine Science Film Festival, has been an integral part of the MFTW project since 2015. It has featured in our touring exhibitions (2015-2016), the 2017 Mangroves Festival in the UAE, the 2021 MFTW in Geelong and the 2022 Smithsonian Festival. I contributed to both the conception and production of this work.

2017 Art Donations

Prior to leaving the UAE in 2017 I donated two sculptures to educational organisations, hoping they would inspire and encourage them to establish educational programs about the mangroves. I donated The Self to the Sharjah American International School in Umm Al Quwain, a school located near the mangroves where I lived in UAQ. This donation followed the 2017 Mangroves Festival, during which I arranged for the scientist Dr. Nadia Kettell to give a lesson to the students about the mangroves. Unfortunately, in 2020, I learned that this artwork was damaged during the COVID-19 break.

The second artwork titled MFTW 2015 was donated to the Wasit Wetland Centre with the hope that the centre would provide educational information about the mangroves.

Press Coverage

  1. https://mangrovesfromthewater.com/about/press/ and,
  2. https://zahidahart.com/biography-bibliography/

Mangroves Conservation Highlights:

  1. Mangroves in the spotlight for UAE National Day – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. The UAE’s commitment to Climate Change – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  3. How indigenous people can help with Climate Change – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  4. UAE vows to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 at COP26 – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  5. Adopt a mangrove with Etihad Airways – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  6. Development of UAQ Mangrove beach – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

From the degraded mangroves in UAQ to the development of Mangrove Beach, now having become a popular tourist site, there are plans to further establish the area as a base for retreats and eco-tourism.

  1. Mangroves photos in 2017:Video.
  2. In 2021 the reserved mangroves were transformed into a beach, aptly named The Mangrove Beach: Development of UAQ Mangrove beach – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW).
  3. A new eco-friendly glamping siteis set to open in Umm Al Quwain in early 2025. Nestled among the emirate’s mangroves, the retreat will feature 10 glass-domed structures with private saunas, plunge pools, and terraces. Guests can enjoy activities like kayaking and nature walks, with an on-site spa and restaurant. The project emphasises environmental conservation, aiming for carbon neutrality with solar power and greywater treatment, aligning with Umm Al Quwain’s commitment to responsible tourism. Read the full article.

Geelong (Djilang) 2017-2024

2020

           Presentations for the communities can be found here.

  1. Announcing our collaboration with Ocean Tree Studios – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. Announcing our collaboration with the Barwon Estuary Project – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  3. Happy International Mangroves Day! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  4. Get involved: Volunteer to plant mangrove trees! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  5. Watch the video of the Mangrove Tree Planting Day here! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  6. Schedule of events – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  7. Artist meet-up – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  8. Radio Program in Geelong

Radio Interview highlights: Vicky Hallett, a musician who blends underwater sounds with clarinet music, introduced me to underwater listening via hydrophone. I interviewed Vicky Hallett on 5 February 2019 in my capacity as a curator and radio program producer.

Jacqui Dreessens, a dancer and choreographer, is set to participate in the highly anticipated performance at the Mangroves from the Water 2021 exhibition in Geelong. In my capacity as a curator and radio program producer, [I interviewed Jacqui Dreessens on August 4, 2020].  

  1. Listen to our podcast! Masainakum Masoonah – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. Zahidah’s interview on The Sustainable Hour, 22 July – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  3. Radio Interview: Zahidah highlights the MFTW’s participation at the upcoming Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  4. YouTube: Introducing our YouTube channel! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

2021

  1. ANNOUNCEMENT: OPENING 11 August 11 am – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. Mangroves from the Water Exhibition photos – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  3. Video of the Mangroves from the Water exhibition opening – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  4. Dance workshop during MFTW opening exhibition on 14 Aug 2021: Look at the dancers at Jacqui’s workshop – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  5. MFTW 2021 Catalogue: https://mangrovesfromthewater.com/australia/about-the-australia-project/ for details on the exhibition.
  6. The MFTW exhibition (2021) included majlis, a traditional Emirati sitting area displaying books and stories on the mangroves in Arabic and English https://mangrovesfromthewater.com/2021/08/13/come-visit-our-traditional-arabic-majlis-at-the-gordon-gallery/ and,
  7. Traditional Arab Majlis – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  8. Award: Certificate of Appreciation – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  9. Especial Addition Magazine for MFTW Exhibition: Marawed Magazine focuses on the mangroves as part of Emirati Heritage – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  10. The Girl Who Fell In Love With The Mangroves, A Family Video Story by Geraldine Chansard – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  11. Humans in Geelong – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

Workshops

  1. Workshop and Events schedule – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. Happy International Mangrove Day !!! – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  3. 18 Nov, 2021: Photos: student kayak workshop with Zahidah – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

2022

Highlights from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2022.

  1. MFTW is participating in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  2. Storytelling and Majlis at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
  3. An Artist’s Roots: Painting and Saving Mangroves with Zahidah Zeytoun Millie – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)
  4. A short video about the seed project during my residency at Pilchuck Glass School
  5. Certificate of Appreciation from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

2023

  1. Publication of our first illustrated story about the mangroves and saltmarshes, The Gini Fatouhah.
  2. Presenting at the Australian Mangroves and Saltmarshes Conference – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

2024

Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) has inspired many artists to explore the mangroves through kayaking, fostering engagement, raising awareness, and stimulating art creation from these immersive experiences. This time the MFTW curator was able to inspire a commercial gallery in Ocean Grove: Announcement: Mangrove Art Exhibition – Mangroves from the Water (MFTW)

MFTW PhD Art Exhibition 11-19 September 2024

Zahidah Zeytoun Millie

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