Tag: mangroves

Invitation to Experience ‘Mangroves from the Water’ Exhibition

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

 Invitation to Experience ‘Mangroves from the Water’ Exhibition

Discover the hidden beauty of mangroves through a 360-degree immersive film experience and art installations, part of Zahidah Zeytoun Millie’s PhD research submission. This project delves into the intersection of artistic practice and environmental advocacy.

The first part of the exhibition will be held daily at the Project Space Gallery, Deakin Waterfront Campus, from 11th to 20th September, with viewing hours from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Please refer to the poster for additional details.

The second part of the exhibition features an immersive film experience, which will be screened at the Nyaal Precinct, Waurn Ponds Deakin campus, on 19th and 20th September, with sessions from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Mangroves from the Water film was made possible with the kind support of Aubrey Comben (camera operator, editor), sound artist Hamish Dobie, Deakin University, and The Nyaal.

Zahidah Zelda Zeytoun Millie

Mangroves from the Water Founder & Curator

www.zahidahart.comwww.mangrovesfromthewater.com

Mangroves from the Water started as an art campaign in the UAE in 2014 with a series of multimedia group art exhibitions over three years, and a 2017 Mangroves Festival.  The art campaign continued globally from International Mangroves Day 26 July 2021, running till 18 August, in Geelong, Australia.  Our latest exhibition was held at the National Mall in Washington DC during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2022.  We had the honour to represent the UAE at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival from 21 June to 4 July.

The Mangrove Beach: From Degradation to Eco-Tourism Haven

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

The Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) art campaign started in the UAE emirate of Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) with a touring exhibition (2015-2016) and a festival in 2017. We’re thrilled to see our efforts bear fruit. What began with degraded mangroves in UAQ has transformed into The Mangrove Beach, now a popular tourist destination with future plans for retreats and eco-tourism.

Our Highlights:

Degraded mangroves in 2017: Video

2021: Reserved mangroves transformed into The Mangrove Beach

2025: Luxeglamp UAQ opening – an eco-friendly glamping site with 10 glass-domed structures, private saunas, plunge pools, terraces, kayaking, nature walks, on-site spa, and restaurant. This project aims for carbon neutrality, aligning with Umm Al Quwain’s commitment to responsible tourism. Read the full article.

Join us in celebrating this incredible journey and the beauty of the mangroves and their beaches!

Before                 

                                                After

                                           Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain

Zahidah Zeytoun Millie

www.mangrovesfromthewater.com

Instagram: mangrovesftw 

X: mangrovesFTW  & Facebook

Presenting at the Australian Mangroves and Saltmarshes Conference

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) is the title for my presentation at the Australasian Mangroves and Saltmarshes (AMSN) Conference held at the University of Adeliade, 14 to 17 November 2023. My PhD study research at Deakin University is of the same title, Mangroves from the Water.

The 16 November presentation was successful as it was the sole speech explaining a different set of knowledge about the mangroves; from an artivist who situates philosophical and artistic embodied knowledge with the mangroves. I was able to bridge art and science in this conference. Being the sole artist in this conference encourages me to stress the importance of having more artists, writers, musicians and activists (artivists) to be involved in the annual AMSN conferences.

zahidah-zeytoun-millie-amsnconfrence_presenationDownload

Finally, I thank all the artists and communities in the Geelong region and in the United Arab Emirates for supporting MFTW. 

Faithfully,

Zahidah

Announcement: Mangrove Art Exhibition

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

Mangroves Art.  

It has taken over two centuries for non-Indigenous people to truly recognise the value of mangroves. Similarly, the aesthetic allure of mangrove forests and the appreciation of mangrove-inspired art have evolved only gradually.

Since the launch of Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) in 2013, the initiative has endeavoured to spotlight the beauty and ecological importance of mangroves through multidisciplinary art exhibitions. These exhibitions not only showcase the diverse artistry inspired by mangroves but also aim to foster global awareness and protection of these vital ecosystems. MFTW promotes art that emerges from deep ecological intimacy, encouraging artists to engage directly with mangroves—often by kayaking through them—thereby nurturing a profound and reflective connection with this unique environment.

Over the years, 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. In a recent radio interview in February, artist Jacqui Dreessens  shared that MFTW had introduced her to the mangroves, a previously unknown area of Geelong (The Sustainable Hour, 2023).

Now, is the time for art collectors to contribute to building a nascent mangroves art market in southern Victoria, which I believe will raise awareness of mangroves among a Victorian audience. In principle when we love a tree, nostalgic memories arise, often compelling us to collect art that represents this connection.

We are pleased to announce that gallery director Karen Spreadborough has embraced the idea of hosting and curating an exhibition focused on mangroves and wetlands at her spacious gallery, The Hive, aptly located near the Barwon River mangroves. The exhibition, Flow – Stories from the Wetlands, is featuring works from 25 artists, is currently open at The Hive Ocean Grove Gallery and will run until June 30, 2024.

For information on the Flow- Stories from the Wetlands exhibition and the Hive gallery please visit these two websites:

The Hive Collective (collectivethehive.com)

https://thehiveoceangrove.com.au/

Interview with Jacqui Dreessens: Sustainable Hour, no. 447, Investigating the reality through journalism, arts and artificial intelligence, 94.7 the Pulse, February 2023.

Zahidah Zeytoun Millie

www.mangrovesfromthewater.com

Announcement: Winning Short Film at RAK Fine Arts Festival 2023

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

Winning Short Film Announcement, 8 February 2023

Congratulations to the team behind the short film ‘The Girl who Fell in Love with the Mangroves’ for winning the first prize in the RAK Fine Arts Festival 2023.  This film was part of the Mangroves from the Water 2021 exhibition in Geelong, Australia.  We hope the prize will encourage film producers to create more inspiring films for the mangroves.

We’d like to congratulate the writer and film director Pauline Dupin, and also Rakhi Sawalani who acted the main character ‘the Girl’. 

Rakhi Sawalani and Pauline Dupin

We also acknowledge Geraldine Chansard, the film executive and the creator of Woman from the Mangroves, the sculpture featured in the film.

Geraldine Chansard and Pauline Dupin
Geraldine Chansard and Pauline Dupin

On this occasion we’d also like to thank the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and the Chairman Dr Abd Aziz Al Musallam for their continuous support to the mangroves and our art campaign, Mangroves from the Water (MFTW).  We thank the Institute for publishing extra issues of a special edition of Marawed magazine that focuses on the mangroves as part of Emirati Heritage.

To follow up the news about the winning film, please open these links:

https://mangrove-girl.webador.fr/about

https://www.instagram.com/mangrove.girl/

Zahidah Zeytoun Millie

MFTW Founder and Curator

www.zahidahart.com

www.mangrovesfromthewater.com

Announcement! : Two workshops by one of MFTW’s artists, Jacqui Dreessens.

On By Stephanie Neville1 Comment

Announcement for two workshops by one of MFTW’s inspiring artists, Jacqui Dreessens.

Kayak, Mangroves, Poetry

Do you like kayaking? Ever written poetry? Have you ever seen the mangrove forest on Wadawurrung Country between Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove? Come and witness first hand this incredible ecosystem that clears the water and puts oxygen in the air for all of us Beings to breathe. So hardy and yet so fragile. A different World awaits from the Water.

This is Part A of an exciting afternoon/evening: 4pm-6pm. Where the River meets the Sea – Kayak, Mangroves, Poetry

To find out more please open the link

Full Moon Dance

Park B – is a dance making workshop under the Full Moon: 7-10pm – Where the Moonahs meet the Mangroves.

https://www.trybooking.com/CFMZV

In the news: UAE’s participation at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Washington D.C.

On By Stephanie Neville1 Comment

Khaleej Times features the UAE’s participation in the 2022 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

The article includes a YouTube video message by Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, who said “since the first Folklife Festival in 1967, the event has honoured global cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them”.

“The 2022 festival theme is UAE – Living Landscape l Living Memory. These two primary pillars will introduce festival attendees to arts, poetry, cuisine and other cultural traditions that have made the UAE an inclusive, modern and pioneer nation in just 50 years,” added Al Otaiba (Khaleej Times).

Please read the full article by Waheed Abbas for Khaleej Times here:

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/uae-showcases-its-culture-national-mall-in-the-us-to-turn-into-emirati-majlis

The iconic obelisk The Washington Monument where the festival will take place.

Launched in 1967, the Festival is an international exhibition of living cultural heritage presented annually in the summer in Washington, DC. This year’s edition, Living Landscape | Living Memory, will be held from June 22 to 27 and June 30 to July 4 at the National Mall, Washington DC, and will feature the UAE.

Mangroves from the Water will be there!!