Stunning The Art Of Racing Exhibit Unveiled For The Yasalam Programme Of Events
Flash & KHP Consulting initiative ‘The Art of Racing’ goes from strength to strength as another exciting local artist unveils their wondrous work in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi today witnessed the next exciting installment of the Yasalam ‘Art of Racing’ event series, as the third of the series of five stunning F1™ replica cars was unveiled at the Emirates Palace.
Today’s activity is one of five events where life-size F1™ replica cars will be painted by local artists as part of Yasalam’s series of exhibitions called The Art of Racing. Yasalam is the city’s dynamic programme of F1™-related events and entertainment, created to bring the entire community together celebrating the UAE’s biggest sporting event.
The life-size replica car body shell, designed by Emirati artist Dana Saif Al Mazrouei, will take pride of place in the Abu Dhabi hotel’s foyer and will remain there until after the big race on November 1, 2009.
One of Abu Dhabi’s finest young artists, 24-year-old Dana Saif Al-Mazrouei has named her concept for the Renault replica, ‘Pit Stop’, and it depicts the new and exciting link between Abu Dhabi and F1™.
Dana says: “My design has been inspired by the 1971 unification of the UAE and the visionary His Late Highness Sheikh Zayed Al Nahayan. I believe the people of the UAE have an innate love of unity, team work, and vision and these qualities help make it such a unique and dynamic country.
“I carried out extensive research after being asked to take part in this wonderful project by watching and analysing various F1™ races. Through this I quickly began to appreciate the huge team effort that goes in and discovered that it’s not merely about who the best driver is. I now firmly believe it takes the best all-round team to win the biggest event in motorsports.”
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments. An F1™ pit stop consists of around 20 mechanics who aim to execute the stop within six to twelve seconds. Dana feels the main elements that need to be in place to ensure a successful pit stop are precision, speed, communication, team work and a clear vision. These elements form Dana’s design, using mixed-media, acrylic, collage and acrylic sheets to create a spectacular work of art.
Dana first started practising art when she joined Latifa School for Girls, where she built a strong foundation in art and design. Dana also has art GCSE and AS Levels from the London Cambridge Board of Art, in the UK.
Having graduated with a BSC in design from the School of Art and Science at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, she works with a variety of media, including sketching, painting, printmaking and both graphic and furniture design.
Dana’s talents evolved throughout her studies and exposure to different cultures during her numerous trips around the world. Her work reflects the modern influence on her culture and society and the revival of lost traditional crafts in the Emirates. Her work has been showcased in numerous public venues, such as Harvey Nichols, Zayed University, Media City, and Emirates Palace.
The Art of Racing creates a fusion between motorsport and art, showcasing the country’s finest artistic talent in public locations across Abu Dhabi in the lead up to the race on November 1, 2009. Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall already has a finished replica car, with further live Art of Racing painting performances planned for Abu Dhabi Corniche and Abu Dhabi Airport. Each exhibit reflects the artists’ interpretation of ‘What the 2009 Etihad Airways Formula 1™ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix means to the UAE’.
John Lickrish, Flash Entertainment’s managing director, commented: “Flash is proud to be delivering this exciting initiative together with KHP Consulting. The customisation of Formula 1™ replica cars by renowned Emirati artists epitomises our motivation behind Yasalam- to bring the spirit of racing to the people of Abu Dhabi in celebration of our capital playing host to the 2009 Formula 1TM, Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix."
Katja Heim, CEO of KHP Consulting, the company responsible for organising The Art of Racing with Flash Entertainment, adds: “This unique and eye-catching design of Dana’s is sure to appear in photo albums of tourists from all over the globe. We specialise in capturing the spirit of the sport and bringing its very essence to the people who matter the most, the fans. These exhibits depict an historic moment in time for the people of Abu Dhabi and we are proud to be a part of it.”
