Abu Dhabi

10-Alamira Reem Bani Hashim, the Abu Dhabi architect

Emirati researcher Alamira Reem Bani Hashim explains how evolving political priorities and social realities in the UAE have shaped Abu Dhabi’s development over decades, before and after the discovery of oil. Reem holds a PhD in Urban Development and recently published “Planning Abu Dhabi”, a book on Abu Dhabi’s urban history over the last century. This episode is part 1 of our interview – recorded in public at the French language institute Alliance Française of Abu Dhabi.

03 – Jalal Luqman, Artist and Author of The Armagondas

Jalal Luqman’s name today is internationally known but his journey to becoming the UAE’s first digital artist in the 1990s was not a walk in the park.
In this interview, Jalal remembers life as a child in the UAE, as his father worked as one of the first lawyers in the nascent country.
This episode is about: Being the school child in the corner / Surviving Business studies in the USA without any money / imposter syndrome / being the first Emirati Digital Artist / self-teaching computers in the desert in the 1980’s / dark emotions / Invisible giants / Why nobody is too insignificant in a society / Opening a gallery for Emirati artists / Writing a first book on napkin corners / The Armagondas volume 1 / Old times in Abu Dhabi

02 – Suhaila Al Dhaheri, the Student Rep’

At the time of the recording, Suhaila was a law student at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi. At 21 she had already run elections and represented her peers in various organisations. In a country that little more than a decade ago has organised the very first parliamentary elections of its history, Suhaila is part of this new generation contributing to the UAE’s journey towards more public participation.
This episode is also about Female Role models in the UAE / being an Emirati student at an international university / self confidence / the Emirates Youth Council / bedouin family roots in Al Ain / family farms in the desert / embracing societal changes and digital transformation / differences between generations / multiculturalism

01 – Leila al Marashi, the ‘Power of Pink’ Artist

Two years ago, Leila lost her mother to breast cancer. Her “The Power of Pink” art installation, is a way of building on her experience in a creative way, while raising awareness about breast cancer in the UAE.
This episode is about: Growing up as an Emirati woman / The colour pink throughout a woman’s life / Barbie in the UAE / The Pink Ribbon / Leila’s mother and father and how they met / Mother-daughter relationships / Making last moments count / Breast cancer / Femininity / Pop-art mixing international icons and traditional Emirati features.