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Johny Dar, the Bahrain World Trade Centre and MODA Mall have teamed up to unveil a groundbreaking glass and sand installation for Ramadan, exhibiting more than 50 pairs of celebrity-donated ‘Jeans For Refugees’ … but airport chaos and connection confusion meant the man behind the artistry missed its latest unveiling.
Nonetheless, the show carried on in style with TV cameras, photographers and social media influencers gathering to capture the moment on Thursday evening before sitting down to a Ghabga at the Sheraton Hotel.
Each piece on display at the mall exhibition is available to buy with its individual Ramadan display stand included, as reported in last week’s GulfWeekly. All proceeds will be donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global charity organisation supporting refugees around the world.
High-flying Johny, an internationally-acclaimed American artist and designer pioneering an original form of artistic expression through art, fashion, multimedia and music, made it to the Middle East but not quite to his planned destination … but he promises a special appearance in Bahrain by the end of the month!
Kashi Money, Johny Dar’s director of PR & communications, travelled from the UK, whereas Johny had to travel from Spain where he was working. “He got to Egypt, missed the connecting flight in Cairo, and the only available ticket was back to Madrid so he took that flight and then went to Barcelona to try to get back to Bahrain and found there were no flights available that would have made it in time for the event,” explained Kashi.
“He says he wants to make it up to Bahrain at the coming auction gala event by launching two tracks from his debut album for the first time - the world premiere of his music.”
The current exhibition aims to highlight the importance of giving during the holy month and to inspire people to support others less fortunate by participating in the initiative and buying their favourite Jeans For Refugees.
Founded in 2016 by Johny, Jeans For Refugees has become a global initiative dedicated to helping refugees worldwide. More than 100 international celebrities have handed over a pair of their denims to the artist, who transforms each pair into a unique wearable art piece inspired by the celebrity who donated them.
The project will help fund the IRC’s initiatives which help millions of refugees worldwide on a daily basis, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.
As a special Ramadan promotion, pieces on display at MODA mall will be sold as individual sculptures throughout Ramadan and the Eid holiday, with the glass and sand displays included as a gift to all those who buy, diversifying the installation into the homes, galleries, offices and showrooms of individuals supporting the project, who will each own a piece of the original iconic installation.
“We are grateful to Johny Dar and honoured to have so many high profile people lending their support and standing in solidarity with refugees,” said Sanjayan Srikanthan, the IRC’s vice president of Europe.
“The funds raised will help us to support refugees around the world, from when they are first forced to flee their homes through to resettlement and integration into new communities.
“Refugees are strong, resilient and hardworking people who have been through terrible experiences but still have so much to offer.”
The new Jeans For Refugees glass and sand installation, designed especially for the Gulf region to reflect the climate and the conditions that refugees in the region endure, will be exhibited in the mall until June 30.
Visitors are invited to visit the exhibition to immerse themselves in the artworks, choose their favourite jeans, learn more about the cause, and experience the innovation, collaboration and creativity of the initiative.
Kelvin Crutchlow, GM of the Bahrain World Trade Centre and MODA Mall, said: “We are extremely proud that Bahrain has been chosen as the host of a global artistic fund-raising exhibition that is dedicated to helping refugees around the world.
“Marking its debut in the GCC, we are pleased to extend Bahrain World Trade Centre’s support to Johny Dar and honoured to showcase his unique charitable concept at Bahrain’s luxurious shopping destination.
“We encourage the community to come forward to buy their favourite art piece and contribute actively towards the betterment of displaced people.”
Participants from the film, art, fashion and music industries have donated their jeans including Alicia Vikander, Anna Wintour, Annie Lennox, Benicio del Toro, Bryan Adams, Candice Swanepoel, Carla Bruni, Cat Stevens, Chanel Iman, Christina Ricci, Christine Taylor, Claudia Schiffer, David Copperfield, Daniel Radcliffe, Dannii Minogue, Elle Macpherson, Emma Watson, Florence Welch, Harry Styles, Isabelle Adjani, Jane Birkin, Julio Iglesias, Karlie Kloss, Kate Moss, Lars von Trier, Lily Allen, Marianne Faithfull, Melanie C, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Hoult, Nina Hagen, Ozzy Osbourne, Peaches, Pedro Almodovar, P!nk, Roger Waters, Ryan Gosling, Sadie Frost, Selah Sue, Sharon Osbourne, Sharon Stone, Sofia Coppola, Tom Waits,Tuppence Middleton, Twiggy, Usher, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood, Woody Allen and others.
And Sir Elton John has donated one of his iconic Versace jackets for the Dar treatment.
The first official auction in Bahrain will now take place at the Jeans For Refugees Gala at Amwaj Islands’ ART Rotana Hotel, on Saturday, July 1.
There will be live performances from Jad Choueri and other special guests, as well as the auction action, which the organisers promise will make it ‘a night in Bahrain to remember forever - so don’t miss the chance to attend and to bid for a special selection of Jeans For Refugees - including jeans donated by international superstars and special guest celebrities from the MENA region.
Johny, of course, is also on the bill and will likely be travelling days in advance to ensure he reaches the kingdom without any mishaps this time, he hopes.
“Quite simply, these pieces will be the envy of your friends and family and will take pride of place in any gallery, home, office or showroom – private or public,” added Kashi .
“It is celebrity memorabilia like no other, complete with its own customised Ramadan display stand. The Jeans For Refugees can be worn, collected or given as a meaningful, unforgettable gift.
“Owning a pair of Jeans For Refugees is more than owning an art investment or a celebrity treasure - it is safeguarding a symbol of hope for a brighter future for humanity.
“By participating in Jeans For Refugees, you are helping to support refuges worldwide and contributing to supporting the victims of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.”
Visit the live exhibition at the Moda Mall or www.jeansforrefugees.com/shop to view the pieces available and sign up in a few simple steps to buy a piece of extraordinary history today.
There are no tickets being sold for Saturday’s ART Rotana Gala, but there will be limited places available so people should send an email, as soon as possible, if they would like to attend, to rsvp@jeansforrefugees.com
