MODernart

The upcoming Mall of Dilmunia hosted an exclusive event “MODernart” offering local artists an opportunity to exhibit their skills on blank shop hoardings to transform them into pieces of art.

The decorated shop hoardings will adorn the fronts of stores until they are rented out by brands at the mall that is scheduled to open in phases over the next two years.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Mall of Dilmunia, said: “We look forward to building a partnership with the community and engaging with the Bahraini society. With MODern Art, we wanted to create an event of an entirely different calibre, as well as bring the Bahraini art community together in a way that’s never been done before in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

“Artists were given minimal direction to encapsulate the azure sea blue of the Dilmunia logo, with free reign to create their own masterpieces. It was truly remarkable to witness their ideas come to life.”

Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Culture and Arts director of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) took a tour of the art pieces, pausing to chat with several Bahraini artists and even adding her own touch of creativity to caricaturist Jassim Al Maqabi’s work.

Shaikha Hala said: “This is a wonderful initiative to engage local artists, creating a space where they can do their art on these wonderful murals. It was exciting to see the different mediums and styles and I look forward to following these artists. I particularly liked Jassim’s piece because his work has a bit of similarity to my own art.”

The event included a guided tour of Mall of Dilmunia in various areas including the boulevard which provided visitors with the illusion of being outdoors within a vibrant European cityscape, as they walked underneath the largest LED screen ceiling in the GCC.

The tour also boasted a view of The Bahrain Aquarium; once opened the four-storey high cylindrical aquarium will mesmerise visitors from each level of the mall.

Rebecca C Arnold, deputy CEO of Mall of Dilmunia, commented: “We have a mission to engage the community year round and we will continue to host workshops, educational programs and events.”