bazaar January 2015 by bazaar magazine

January 2015 | Issue # 189 www.bazaar.town

PORS

SCHE

ROBERT

TO COIN

CHEVR

ROLET

FAUC

CHON

CHILLI

BEANS

IKE

GET THE BEST PROTECTION PACKAGE FOR YOUR CAR

VCO

OOL

Int

About The Cover: Would you believe that our beautiful cover illustration ‘Circle of Stories’ includes 270 different people? That’s right. Go ahead and count them. 270 different people from different walks of life, each with a story that the talented Amimi Cheng captures effortlessly through her artful hand strokes. Invited by the MobArt Gallery, Hong Kong to create a piece that demonstrated the theme, ‘Circle of ______’ in a live art show, Amimi first found herself at a loss to create wall art, on site. Then, she found inspiration in people who visited the show, and began illustrating the many interesting stories she heard from passersby.

Welcome to the first issue of bazaar to come out on the first day of the first month of the new year! 2015 already promises to be a spectacular year here in K-town, regardless of the looming oil prices crisis, and the tightening of belts that it’s going to entail for all of us, once all budgets are slashed, as is usually the case. For starters, I predict that there will be more festivals, street fairs, and weekend events than ever before. What with the Secret Garden Project, Qout Market, Shuwaikh Market’s events, the Q8 Food Festival, the Red Bull events throughout the year, Street Fest, 7Market, and countless others, there is always somewhere to go and something to do over the weekend. Add to that the emergence of food trucks and stalls that go hand in hand with all of these events (with a very warm welcome to the Nomad food truck which is my personal favorite), and you’re set. The rebirth of Souq Al Mubarakiya, with all of its cafes, restaurants and little boutiques that have totally re-energized downtown Kuwait City, is another exciting development. Nothing beats strolling around the city with its stark mix of old and new buildings, and the people that brings with it, from families, groups of single people, expats to locals all wandering around and enjoying life. Finally, 2015 promises to bring with it even more restaurant complexes than ever, all with outdoor areas that allow customers to enjoy the weather, as they people-watch and eat, drink, and be merry. If you notice, there is one recurring theme to all of the above, which is that there is more opportunity to be outdoors, and to mingle and be amongst others without having to go to a mall, and that’s exactly what was needed here.

The bazaar team...

You should have found your copy of the 2015 Dining and Delivery guide as well as the infamous bazaar wall planner packaged together with this issue of bazaar. If not, make sure you go to any of the over 250+ places that we distribute bazaar in, to grab a copy before they run out, since they don’t last long on the shelves. You can, of course, browse through the guide online or download it onto your SmartPhone or tablet via our new website www.bazaar.town. The new website has a little bit of everything for everybody, with daily updates on events in Kuwait, tips for life, polls, competitions, interviews, reviews, a classifieds section, and of course information on every single restaurant and café we have ever written about that includes addresses, telephone numbers, and links to their location on Google Maps. We’ll be launching apps that go hand in hand with the new website soon, so that bazaar is always at your fingertips, ensuring that you are always the first to know about anything happening in Kuwait.

Hala Y. Sharara

Happy reading!

Ahmed El-Adly

Boss

Photographers

Ahmed El-Adly

Ihab Mokalled

Brian Jim Jean Boutros Lina Shteyn Rebecca D’Angelo Simon Lei Timothy Carr

Design

Syndicates and Sources

Padmini Chandrasekaran

Fast Company LA Times MCT International Slate The Japan News Tribune Media Services USA Today Variety News Service Washington Post

Operations Rebecca Sweetman

Business Development

Staff Writer/Social Media Yasmine El Charif

Staff Writer/Online Media Amira Haroun Sarah O. Wali

Staff Writer Brook McClurg Lili Barras-Hargan

Printing

Communications

British Industries for Printing and Packaging

Editor

members of:

A. Al-Duaij

Contributing Writers Abdulaziz Alhashash Ayman Nassar Bibi Al-Falah Deepa Pant Haya Al-Sbaie Loaay Ahmed Mike Campbell Mohammed El Soukkary Patrick Makhoul Reshmi Revi Strawberry Girl Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg

w w w. b p aw w. c o m No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).

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MAX & CO

INDEX JANUARY '15

HAMAD ALSARRAF

MEET JENNY MORRIS

LAMA AL-FADALA

THE SALMIYAH THEATER

AMIMI CHENG

We all start off the New Year with new horizons, and locally renowned photographer/writer Hamad AlSarraf, is no different. Taking his visual journey one step further, we get up close and personal with the artist as he tells us about writing and directing his first short film, Viktor.

Get ready to meet the giggling gourmet, Jenny Morris. Get to know South Africa’s first chef to host her own show on the Food Network before her forthcoming visit to Kuwait for the Q8 Food Festival and fall in love with her take on fresh, healthy ingredients.

We reconnect with honorary bazaarite Lama Al-Fadala and she tells us all about the exciting #JabalShamsRangers. Working hard with a close network of likeminded individuals, Lama is hoping to encourage adults and children to explore all that the great outdoors has to offer, starting off with a majestic trail in Oman’s Jabal Shams.

We meet up with Dawood Al Qattan to find out more about the all-new Salmiyah Theater. Commissioned by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, the team at Qattan Architects completed their vision for imagining a state-of-the-art theater in the heart of Salmiyah.

Amimi Cheng, the talented illustrator behind our beautiful cover, takes the time out of her busy schedule to speak to bazaar about her life and dreams in the field of illustration. She tells us more about our incredible cover, Circle of Stories, and what it means to make it in a field that is overlooked by many.

KUWAIT, UNVEILED

ZANJEBAR

We’ve always been huge fans of Timothy Carr’s creative endeavors and the work that he is constantly doing for the community. In his latest online initiative, Kuwait In A 1000 Words, Tim effectively, and beautifully, captures the lives of everyday individuals that make Kuwait so wonderful. Find out more in this special chat with Tim.

Once upon many jam sessions ago, the team behind the locally acclaimed but internationally influenced Zanjebar never imagined a life where interaction with the audience wasn’t a possibility. In this edition of inside/ out, we find out more about a band that has its roots steeped in the power of the live performance.

Tarek Yamani, pg 56

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VIE FITNESS STUDIO

TAREK YAMANI

Explore a new training approach We were instantly entranced when we heard a sample from Tarek Yamani’s that is as old as mankind at Vie latest album, Lisan Al Tarab: Jazz Fitness Studio. We take a break Conceptions in Classical Arabic. In from our regular fitness routine this edition of artist of the month, and pay a visit to Kuwait’s newest we learn all about Tarek’s artful gym located at Panasonic Tower grasp and impeccable ability to in Kuwait City to find out more deliver us with a truly unique and about the hottest trend in physical hybridized sound. conditioning: Functional Training.

MAX&CO.

RAPTUREGRAM

INTO THE BLUE

Every fashionista likes to ring in the New Year with a refreshing new wardrobe, and the amazing people at Italian brand MAX&Co. have the solution. Teaming up with style icon Olivia Palermo, MAX&Co delivers us with an incredible collection for Spring Summer 2015, starting with styling ‘The Perfect Wardrobe’.

In what will forever be referred to as the Great Instagram Purge of 2014, we take a closer look at Instagram’s latest attempt at digital policing. If you think that your Insta-life is over, then you’re mistaken. This quick look at the fallen Insta-Celebs will have you feeling much better in no time!

It takes a bona fide seafarer like Captain Alharith Alateeqi to truly understand the majestic sea. In his latest endeavors, this captain to improve the quality of diving in Kuwait and the Middle East with RAID International, along with organizing adventure trips to Stuart Cove in the Bahamas.

CAVALLI

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British Embassy Brush Salon Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra I. O. Center Italian Center Jacques Dessange Salon, Shaab KAICO Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges N Style Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery That AlSalasil Bookstore - Airport, Marina, Salhiya, The Avenues THE One USA Embassy

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what’s on

AL-SEEF EXHIBITION - Works from the collection of Barjeel Art Foundation Exhibition Dates: January 11th – March 31st 2015 Venue: Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) Exhibition Space The colloquial Arabic word Al-Seef translates into English as ‘water’s edge’, and denotes geography or stretches of land located along a coast. Historically, the development of settlements, and subsequently of civilizations, relied heavily on their proximity to a water source. Apart from aiding in sustenance, it increased opportunities for travel and trade, allowing coastal regions to enjoy increased access to wealth and power. Its role as a mediator of voyages also meant that it often facilitated political clashes and wars over larger geographical territories. Being a valuable element of communal life, water has also become embedded into the cultural fabric of many societies. It is often the central subject of legends, rituals and in some cases even religious denominations. This exhibition offers a window into several distinct episodes of history, where proximity to water has either shaped or played a significant role in the development of a place. Similar to shining a spotlight on select and specific areas of a stage, this exhibition highlights several individual moments of history, outlined below, which took place and unfolded in coastal regions and in the presence of eminent waters. MAHMOUD OBAIDI: THE REPLACEMENT Exhibition Dates: January 11th – February 11th 2015 Venue: Contemporary Art Platform: The Art Room CAP is pleased to present Mahmoud Obaidi’s first solo exhibition in Kuwait, The Replacement, which explores the subject of political propaganda through different modes of communication and imagery. The exhibition presents over thirty works that span a range of media including sculpture, silkscreen prints and video art. In 2003, a storage container was discovered in an unknown location in the Middle East. Stored inside were numerous boxes that held the political campaign material (believed to date from 1979 to 1983) of a now unknown man. The contents caught the eye of an art collector based in North America, who purchased the collection in an agreement that prevented him from displaying the items publicly until 2014. Last year, through a mutual friend, the collector contacted Mahmoud Obaidi so they could collaborate on an exhibition project that would recreate many of the items uncovered in 2003. The Replacement is the result of this collaboration. With his head held high, the seemingly indomitable figure of this political ‘leader’ is repeatedly reproduced by Obaidi in campaign posters, postage stamps, banknotes and press coverage. In one work, his head is presented in a roundel, reminiscent of the ancient Roman tradition, under which foliage and a bright sun shines over a modern city. Here, he takes on an almost god-like status, reigning over and protecting his people and nation. Through this imagery, Obaidi reflects on the way in which visual material can be used to manipulate the masses in an individual’s quest for power and authority. Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) is located in Kuwait Industrial Shuwaikh Block 2, St. 28, Life Center. Call 2492 5636 for more information. 20

VAN LEO: MASTER CAIRO PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER Curated by: Barry Iverson Exhibition Dates: Tuesday, January 20th, 2015; 7 – 9pm January 21st – February 12th; 10am – 4pm (Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Public Holidays) Venue: Sultan Gallery Van Leo (a.k.a. Leon Boyadjian) was known as the photographer of the stars of the silver screen during Egypt’s golden age of cinema. He also photographed a significant number of Cairo’s elite society from the 1940s-1990s. From Roushdy Abaza, Faten Hamama, Samia Gamal, Omar Sherif to lesser knowns, Van Leo made unique black and white portraits – many of which requested hand-coloring when there was no Kodachrome or color printing available – from his famed studio on Sharia Fouad (present day 26th July Street). Van Leo also made passionate and avant garde self-portraits that are widely acclaimed, during the whirl and buzz of WWII Cairo. For this endeavor, he drew the wrath of his father for being a waste of film, time and money. After 50 years of continuously running a studio photography business during both turbulent and quiet times in Cairo, Van Leo called it quits in 1998. He bequeathed his entire collection of over 20,000 negatives and prints to the American University in Cairo (AUC) for safekeeping and preservation of his great legacy. All of the photographs in this exhibition are traditionally made gelatin-silver fiber prints, printed in the darkroom from the original negatives. Sultan Gallery is located in South Sabhan, Block 8, Street 105, Building No. 168, Kuwait. Ph 2471 4325 xtn 110; Mobile: 6097 0001 or you can visit their website www.sultangallery.com.

A SELECTION OF ARTWORKS “PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE, JEWELRY” Exhibition Dates: Began Saturday December 27th 2014, Running until January 8th, 2015, 10.30am – 8.30pm. Venue: FA Gallery FA Gallery is located in Sharq, Block 2, Gulf Road, Villa 76, Kuwait. For more information please call 2249 8999 or visit www.thefagallery.com.

what’s trending As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it! Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more. facebook.com/bazaarmagazine

what: @artsharksnet info: Art is also available on the Outlet app. editor’s note: Trendy Arabic pop-art to your door!

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what: @runfie info: Non-profit initiative to endorse social running. editor’s note: Runners of all levels are encouraged to join.

START READING! Scan to read full digital issue. what: bazaar.town info: The ultimate guide to Kuwait. editor’s note: WE think it’s great, just saying!

what: @kuwaitina1000words info: Initiative by Timothy Carr. editor’s note: Introducing the people of Kuwait to the world! 22

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what: The Colbert Report info: Facebook fan page editor’s note: We’ll miss this amazing show!

what: #bazaardiningguide2015 info: Our very own guide to everything food-related! editor’s note: Download it from the bazaar issuu page!

what: @earthpix info: Purely incredible pictures editor’s note: Great travel inspiration from around the world.

BASSETT

RAPTUREgram

The Great Instagram Purge by bazaar staff

Just before press time a major upset happened in the world of social media: The Great Instagram Purge of 2014! Now maybe you think this doesn’t affect you, but the reality is, if you have any number of followers, it could. The now 4-year-old site, in an effort to delete inactive and spam accounts, has finally made the effort to do a little digital policing. In a place where buying Instagram followers is a prevalent thing – or at least rumored to be so – it is hard to imagine that it would not affect some people here. Now, of course, that is not to say that anybody who loses followers had bought them, but rather that they would likely have more followers overall and at the very least would therefore be more likely to be effected. Here is the thing about everybody freaking out about this: NOTHING HAS CHANGED! According to Gabe Maway, an Instagram spokesman, “these are not active accounts that you were previously in contact with”; these accounts were blocked or suspended long ago. It is just that Instagram is only just now deleting them from other people’s follower numbers. So, if you really care about your following and not just overinflated numbers, you should not care at all. Still, many are up in arms. Here is the biggest fall out so far: Instagram: They themselves lost 18.9 million (nearly 29%) from their official page in the purge. 24

While that seems a lot, they do seem to be the only people who don’t care. Probably because it’s their site and they’re in the driver’s seat. The R&B singers: Ariana Grande lost 1.5 million (of 21million). Beyoncé, meanwhile, only lost 800,000 of her 22 million people – perhaps her fans are more real that the rest of these guys! The Rappers: Rapper Ma$e, who lost more than 1 million followers, deleted his account altogether after being accused of paying for followers. Rapper Akon, lost 56% of his total following when he dropped from 4.3 to 1.9 million. The Unknown: Perhaps the biggest loser is a guy named @chirag_chirag78 who lost 99.9998% of his followers when he went from 3,660,468 followers to…8. Yes, that is correct – just 8. Then he was deleted. Never fear though, he has apparently started another account with a similar name and the tagline at the top, “what happened to my 3 million followers?” What happened, indeed! The Icons: Kim Kardashian is now the most followed person on earth (at least on Instagram). Let that sink in for a second. This, despite the fact that she lost 1.3 million followers in the purge. The 3.5 million that Justin Bieber lost turned out to be too much for him to retain his previous crown. For those who don’t know how many of the fake accounts are created, there has long been a thriving

black market in social media friendship. These fake followers can actually equate to real market dollars for people who wish to sell advertising and services based on assumed reach. This is all done via bots, which mechanizes the acquisition of new friends on an ongoing basis. Some can even manufacture other fake interactions such as retweets, likes, favorites, up-votes and even comments. In a New York Times blog exposing these practices earlier this year, Nick Bilton says he was able to buy 4,000 followers for 5 bucks (that’s 1.46 KD people!) and for a couple more, he could have half of them ‘like’ a picture of his. For USD 3,750 (just under 1000 KD) he could buy 1,000,000 followers, and for USD 40 more, 10,000 would ‘like’ a photo. Supposedly the bots are getting more sophisticated and can even mimic human patterns in their techniques, such as only sending follower requests at times that most people might still be awake. In short, these things are only getting better and more pervasive, and will thus likely continue to be around for some time. For those who were previously living in a cave, Instagram is available via the App store or on Instagram.com. Bots are everywhere too, sometimes obvious, sometimes less obvious. Only the purchaser will truly know…

VERSACE

FOR INFORMATION CALL +965 25309676 | 360 MALL, LEVEL 1 | WWW.VERSACE COLLECTION.COM

bookworms

NEW YEAR READS Stranger than fiction by bazaar staff

CMY

Alas, 2014 has passed and we ring in 2015 full of hopes, dreams, and the never-ending list of resolutions. No matter if most of your resolutions have carried on from the year before (no one’s judging), they still count. One of mine, as it is every year, is to read more. Reading more can mean anything from articles to journals, and the more obvious choice, books. With season’s greetings and the bells are jingling, we welcome the New Year with a peculiar introduction to non-fiction. While it might not be my first choice when it comes to books, I don’t know about you, but I like to be transported to a whole different universe when I read. Having said that, non-fiction can be just as outlandish. Shall we begin? Starting us off would be none other than a personal favorite of mine, and sort of “Geek-bible” to us Whovians. An epistolary of sorts, maybe not really, but sort of, Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale delves deep into the interpersonal relationship Russell T. Davies (Head Writer and Executive Producer) has with the writing of Doctor Who and all the spin-offs that came about. Scripts, ideas, developments all unravel in this tell-all collection of emails exchanged between Russell and journalist/ YouTuber Benjamin Cook. Witty, hilarious, and gripping; Russell takes us on a journey into the life of a BBC hit TV series writer in its fourth season (Russell’s final season). Doubtful at times, Russell 26

questions everything he writes, while Benjamin deciphers his musings and helps him take the leap into creating what went from cult classic to “geeknecessity” in what seems to be overnight. For my second pick, I choose Dr. Gonzo. Not the Muppet (that would’ve been awesome, though), but the fantastic journalist with eccentric tendencies, Hunter S. Thompson, the father of Gonzo journalism. This particular style of journalism is done with no direct claim to objectivity, so you can never really tell how accurate most of it is, as it’s being told as a story through the writer’s very own eyes. But The Gonzo Papers Anthology is a huge book full of HST’s writings and musings told in the rawest form of decadence, depravity, and most of all, hilarity. If you’ve seen Johnny Depp’s rendition of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, then you know exactly who HST is and what makes him incredibly appealing. His honesty and knack for “telling it as it is” has gained him a huge following and an equal amount of hatred. His examination and dissection of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s tell of the politics, people, and the values held at the time. It’s a heavy read, so I’d suggest taking it slow and possibly taking a break between each encounter. This next one is an easier read, especially that you can read it alongside anything! The Penguin Book of Historic Speeches is an anthology of all the greatest speeches ever orated. From ancient times and prophecies to Mandela, everything in there is

inspiring in and of its own accord. Brian MacArthur compiled every speech of significance throughout history and has brought us this masterpiece. Be warned, it’s difficult to put down, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself muttering “just one more speech” through the night, and suddenly you’re running late for work. Each speech is preceded by a short description that will draw you in, and you’ll find yourself entranced by the power and gumption each word carries. Sit back on a cold winter’s night with a nice warm cuppa’ while wrapped in a blanket and splendor of this enlightening read. Bonus read: While this might be walking the line between fiction and non-fiction, this book is inspired by a true story. Starting as a twitter rant shared directly onto his blog, Charlie McDowell decided to break out of the 140-character limit and “storyfy” the snippets of conversation overheard through the vents. Dear Girls Above Me is a cleverly written retelling of said tweets in the form of a novel of sorts. Introducing us to the makings of the Hollywood royal that is himself, he takes us on a journey of how he learned to become a better man through the amusing ramblings of his upstairs neighbors without them knowing anything about it. May this year be filled with all things literary and great. Have a wonderful 2015 and stay tuned for next month’s bookworms Ready. Aim. Fire!

TONI & GUY

up close and personal

HAMAD ALSARRAF’S

‘VIKTOR’ For renowned local writer and photographer Hamad AlSarraf, the year 2014 was one filled with growth and change. While many expect his latest photography exhibition, or the release of a new book, he surprises audiences with his debut into the world of filmmaking. Hamad is taking his visual journey one step further, in the form of writing, producing and directing his first short film, Viktor. Anyone who happens to meet Hamad, would instantly notice his quiet and subdued nature. He’s always composed, pensive, and carefully planning his next step. When it came to speaking about his film, however, his demeanor surprised us. He’s nervous and his words are brimming with excitement, like a child opening a birthday present. A totally different Hamad sat across from us. Our questions about Viktor seemed to interrupt his perplexed gazes. We attributed this state of befuddlement to the fact that he had just finished filming the last scenes from his debut film. “I’m deliriously happy,” he said. A short tale of drama and mystery, Viktor revolves around the story of a writer (Viktor) in his early thirties. He lost everything in life, including his inspiration. His life collapsed, and came to a complete standstill. At that point, his obsession to find the answers to the sense of loss that plagues him, grew stronger. Frenzied, he didn’t know what to do or where to go. He remains demotivated and uninspired until he comes across a physical ‘door of time.’ Viktor makes the decision to walk through the door, knowing that he might never come back from the experience. Viktor is written and directed by Hamad AlSarraf, and actors Hamad Ashkanani (Viktor/Josef), Waleed Shaalan (Raj) and Sabeeka AlRashed (Sofia) star in the film along with the creative talents of Production Designer Salah Zamani that brought Hamad’s fictional world to life. Viktor is an honest exploration of one’s soul and its journey. It is a part of Hamad, and a part of everyone. The beauty lies in personalizing this universal struggle. He said, “When I first wanted to write the script, I went ahead and wrote a first draft with some previous knowledge in scriptwriting.

by bazaar staff

I shared it with a trusted group of companions outside of Kuwait, and their comments and feedback helped me shape it to where it is today. The script was written, dissected, rewritten, broken down, and then written again.” While this can be discouraging to most, Hamad’s lifelong dream to make films, remained as a constant driver. He approached his dream with complete perseverance, care and dedication. In certain ways, people expected that Hamad’s artistic progression would lead him toward filmmaking. When Hamad first returned to Kuwait after completing his studies, he knew that the tools that he required to make the types of film he envisioned, would have been futile. Instead, he focused and grew his passion for photography and writing and audiences grew fond of his carefully crafted photos, his command of lighting, and his words. As his talent grew, so did the progression of his work. As for Viktor, the idea for the film developed organically. When Hamad first shared the idea of making a short film with his closest friends, they immediately encouraged him to start work on the project. After visiting the Cannes Film Festival last May, he returned invigorated to start writing. He said, “I visited the festival to simply experience the vibe, and I met so many people in the industry who offered me invaluable advice, such as the renowned producer, Laura Bickford (Traffic) and also the Vice President of HBO, amongst many other giants in the industry.” The final draft of the film was finalized last October, and Hamad even started casting for Viktor before he had finalized the script. His reasoning behind this move involved his commitment to the final cast that made brought the story of Viktor to life. The first person cast for the role of the wise Raj was Waleed Shalaan. A local artist and renowned architect, Waleed is constantly pushing the creative envelope, from art, music to acting, Waleed was and continues to be Hamad’s first choice for this role. Hamad also targeted one person, to whom he felt that the leading role of the film’s protagonist, Viktor, protagonist) was most suited for—Hamad Ashkanani. [continued...]

[...continued] He said, “He has something different that I didn’t see anywhere else. There are key elements, which a character needs to already possess within themselves, to perform a role and Ashkanani strongly possesses these qualities.” On the cast themselves and how they interacted, Hamad felt blessed to be amongst such a creative group of people that understood, and lived, the premise of the film. He explained, “Had I attempted to further plan the casting process, it wouldn’t have turned out the way it did. They (the cast) got along seamlessly and this was clearly reflected in the way in which they portrayed their roles. I felt that each character I wrote was a part of me, and they emulated these parts perfectly. Harmony, chemistry, it was all there.” The cast began rehearsing immediately, and filming was completed in one month. In order to effectively bring the story of Viktor to life, Hamad relied on the talented Production Designer, Salah Zamani, who is also considered as one of 30

the best in Kuwait in the field of set and production design. “I don’t think there is anyone in Kuwait that I know of, who does production design for film, like he does.” Zamani effortlessly transformed a blank space into a rich, sensuous canvas, a fictional place that only existed in Hamad’s imagination as Viktor’s world. The attention to detail is astounding, as the set was built from the ground up. Furthermore, Hamad’s eye and attention to details is hard to follow, or even fathom at times, let alone emulate. Perhaps this is most exemplified in his style of photography. Taking a typical scene, and feeling that this scene has been transported somewhere fictional, a dream world, if you may. When Hamad found Salah, his vision saw fruition. Reflecting on his debut experience with film, Hamad feels entirely humbled, and openly admits to learning so much from the creative and technical processes that made his dream a reality. Viktor is now in its postproduction stages, and Hamad is constantly traveling between Kuwait and the United

Kingdom for mastering and coloring the film. For this process, Hamad enlisted the services of the renowned company, Technicolor. When asked about his favorite moments from making Viktor, he couldn’t name one specific moment, as he loved all of it. He looks back at the whole experience with joy because making films was and continues to be Hamad’s ultimate dream. He said, “I loved the entire process, the creative process, the vision, the filming was fun, albeit extremely stressful.” He described how trying to bring all of the creative elements together proved logistically, physically and even mentally challenging. Having to wear so many creative hats, from photography to cinematography, was grueling at times, but it was all worth it because Hamad will never forget the first time he sat behind the monitor when they began to film Viktor. It’s his dream come true, after all, and Hamad is only getting started on yet another incredible journey with film.

up close and personal

HAMAD ALSARRAF What do you most value in your friends? Understanding, and the value of the bond that is shared between us. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Knowing the difference between what you want and what you need; acceptance. What is your greatest fear? Fear has no place in my dictionary. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Being very sensitive. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Negativity. Which living person do you most admire? George Lucas. What is your greatest extravagance? The tools I use while pursuing my goals. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “I don’t know.” What is it that you most dislike? Dislike, in and of itself. Which talent would you most like to have? To improve my existing skills and talent to deeper levels.

If you could have any job, what would it be? I’m already doing what I love to do: Filmmaking. What would you consider your greatest achievement? Finding myself. What is your most treasured possession? My daughter. What is your most marked characteristic? Mysterious and quiet. Where would you most like to live? Kuwait. What are your favorite words to live by? “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” ~William Shakespeare “What you don’t know that you don’t know” ~Anonymous

For more information about the short film, Viktor, visit viktorshortfilm.com, and follow Hamad AlSarraf on Instagram @HamadAlSarraf. 31

bazaar love/hate

THE EVER-PRESENT CELL PHONE When opportunity, etiquette, and responsibility collide by bazaar staff

First of all, if you have tried to call me lately, and I have not picked up my phone – my bad. I really do not mean to ignore you or put you off. But, I am afraid that when the work day is done and all the business is out of the way, I can scarcely be bothered to talk at all – even to the person sitting next to me. I definitely do not want to talk to anyone else. I may text, but that’s about it. It is a bit of a problem actually. Am I missing out on opportunities? Am I being rude? Perhaps. First, contextually, it is important to acknowledge that all of our relationships with phones are different. Many children today cannot even conceive of a day when a cell phone was not on them all the time. Meanwhile, I still hear stories from my own mother about how back in the day when she would pick up the phone it was tied into the entire neighborhood and you had to kindly ask your neighbor to get off the phone to let you use it (Yeah – apparently that was a thing!). These party lines, though now a relic of a bygone era, deserve to be noted. Now, not only does she have her own phone, and a cell phone that 32

I got her, but so does my grandfather. The fact that neither one of them can seem to manage to pick up the phone, check their message, or do anything other than yell at me for what I am not currently doing, is another matter altogether. I digress… So, what are your responsibilities as a phone holder in the modern age? Let’s do a love/hate run down of the most irksome of expectations: #5 If you call me too late or too early – In a place like Kuwait this can be tricky as there are many cultural norms. In general, it is okay to callon Arab people later in the day and evening, to the same degree that it is okay to call Western people earlier in the morning and not later at night. Most of the U.S. uses a de-facto 10 to 10 rule in terms of what are respectable hours to call. Is there a similar norm in the Middle East? #4 If you call me multiple times – First, can we agree that people who call multiple times fall into one of two camps: the first, crazy people who can’t take a hint, and second, people with a need for legitimate time-sensitive help (this could range

from help to flee from a fire to “hey, I’m stuck in Mahboula, how do I get out”) – both make sense! #3 If you text and there is no response or not at the pace you desire – Slow your roll! I love a quick-paced text-versation as much as the next person, but sometimes I have to stop between responses to do other stuff. Don’t get upset cause you just texted me some dark hidden secret just before I had to pause to take out the trash. I will get to your problems in a moment. #2 What I mean when I say I lost your number – I didn’t, but give it to me again cause I’m having fun with this. #1 What likely needs to be said overall about me not having lost your number and still not calling back – Don’t give me your number again if I haven’t called. Remember, although many of us love our cell phones like an extension to our limbs, don’t be a slave to the technology, and make sure you make time in everyday life to walk away.

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‫ت ــ هـــ ‪ 2942 /2014/‬م‬

‫مجموعة ‪ Audi A5‬تتحدث بلغة قل مثيلها فمث ً‬ ‫ال ‪ Coupe‬تعبر عن روعة التصميم الرياضي ‪ Sport back‬تجسد كل ما هو عملي‬

‫أحصل على ‪ $ 4000‬خصم عند شرائك ‪ Audi A5 35 TFSI‬موديل ‪2015‬‬

‫كافئ نفسك بقيادة‬ ‫أكثر تميز ًا وأمن ًا‬

‫‪AUDI‬‬

‫*حسب الشروط واألحكام‬

KIDZANIA’S WINTER FESTIVAL It’s back, it’s bigger and it’s better than ever! by bazaar staff

While the temperature might not be that cold outside, KidZania delivers us with the very cool promise of all things wintery and wonderful at the annual KidZania Winter Festival. One might argue that this is impossible, as we live in a desert country, yet the KidZania Winter Festival proved that feeling icy cold, comes easily. Not only have they decked out the entire premises with winter-inspired decorations such as ice, pretty snow flakes, penguins and polar bears, there will be actual snowfall, planned to fall every hour throughout the entire duration of the festival! From fun flash-mobs at The City’s central plaza area, to daily winter shows, parades and many more surprises, the KidZania Winter Festival will surely please! Although the festival already started on the 11th of December, it is scheduled to run until the 24th of this January. If you think the kids are excited, you should have a chat with anyone here at bazaar. Those of us who are married with children are super happy that we get to act like children again, and those of us who remain single are trying hard to borrow our respective nieces, nephews, friends’ children included, just to get the opportunity to experience KidZania’s Winter 34

Festival! The winter-themed activities are action packed with three exciting programs that are planned over a period of 6 weeks. Last December saw the fun and festive Winter MimeZ event, where children enjoyed learning about the art of miming. If you think that you’ve missed out, then you’re mistaken! The KidZania Winter Festival’s ‘Winter Carnival’ is ongoing until the 24th of January. A dreamy wonderland becomes a true reality with delicious lollipop trees; penguin-tossing contests are simply a part of a whole range of classic carnival games that have been given the KidZania Winter Festival spin. Also planned from the 8th to the 24th of January is the Winter Craftz program, where children will have the chance to unleash their inner artist to create winter-themed arts and crafts. There’s also a wonderful array of well-themed and suited establishment activities, and you can watch your little ones learn how to bake and frost their very own sweet confections at the Cupcake Factory. The Arts and Crafts area will teach your children how to create adorable crafts of fluffy animals like polar bears, penguins and much more! Your children can also hone their musical

talent at the Music Academy, where they will be taught to sing along to cheery, festive songs. They can further their knowledge at Urbano’s House, where winter stories and puppet shows promise an informative yet entertaining time. Make your visit to the Winter Festival a memorable one with a picture, and have your little ones dress up as a penguin or polar bear at the Photo Lab. For only the additional cost of KD 6, you can make your child’s visit to KidZania even ‘Kooler’ with the ‘FroZen’ Pass! The pass entitles your child to: free face painting or body art session, one delectable Starbucks Hot Chocolate treat, a yummy sweet treat, the choice between a free popcorn, cotton candy, or a healthy steamed corn and finally exclusive access to the Wintertainment show at the Theater. What are you waiting for? Your kids have earned themselves a fun and frosty treat this holiday season. All you have to do is head to KidZania at The Mall – The Avenues. Call 2228 3180 for more details or visit www.kidzania.com.kw to book your tickets! Follow @KidZaniaKuwait on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Amimi Cheng’s

CIRCLE OF STORIES “The Hat Party” 0.3 Micron on paper

There are many different paths that one could take to become an illustrator but I believe, like with so many other things; passion and a strong interest are essential elements to stay motivated to continue the pursuit. by bazaar staff

We wished to kick-start 2015 with a bit of whimsy, and our cover image by Hong Kongbased illustrator, Amimi Cheng, delivered us with the perfect dose. Amimi believes that illustrations transcend languages and cultural barriers, and sees her work as a form of communication. While this bazaar team is precisely located 6,632 kilometers away from Hong Kong, a closer look into Amimi’s work reveals that art knows no race or country. We instantly connected with the characters she talentedly conveys; every person she carefully drew has a story, and every story can be interpreted differently. Born and raised in Hong Kong, the talented illustrator has showcased her works in her hometown, the US, Canada, China, Taiwan, and now Kuwait. Upon graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the U.S., she embarked on her illustrative journey and never looked back. Amimi currently works as a freelance illustrator, and is also an art teacher. She considers music as her companion while she works, and enjoys listening to classical and instrumental genres as well as movie soundtracks. When she’s not working, she seeks inspiration in the art of the casual conversation; Amimi believes that a simple meet-up with friends at a coffee shop, for instance, can spark interesting ideas for her illustrations. Get to know the hat-loving, vintage-collecting, illustrator in this exclusive interview!

When did you first become interested in art and illustrating? Since I was in kindergarten, I have been troubling my parents with my interest in drawing. I liked to draw everywhere – on the walls at home, my toys, clothes and even on my face, hands and legs. I considered drawing as a hobby, not as a potential future career, until I graduated from high school. I got a valuable chance to meet with creative directors from big advertising agencies and showed them my portfolio. I was surprised yet felt enlightened, as all of the creative directors I met suggested to me that I should consider becoming an illustrator. How has your work progressed since you first embarked on your illustrating career? At the very beginning, I simply wanted to express my negative emotions through drawing. As my desire to communicate with audiences grew, I expanded the subject matter to everyday life. My illustration work focuses more on reflecting human relationships, values and trends in society, as well as my imagination world. What inspires your work? A lot of my works are inspired by personal experience. The “east meets west” culture in Hong Kong has heavily influenced my values and beliefs, as well as my art style. The constant interactions and behaviors between different people have always captivated and have driven me to be observant of my surroundings, which in time has inspired much of my work.

What do you wish to communicate through your work? Through my illustrations I want to inspire and motivate audiences to re-evaluate and rethink their lives, especially their relationships with their families, friends and the loved ones. I believe that in modern society we spend too much time pursuing our careers, achieving our goals, making money and we tend to forget about the importance of communicating with the people around you. Can you tell us about the story behind the illustration, “Circle of Stories”? I was invited by the MobArt Gallery (Hong Kong) to create wall art, on site, under the theme “Circle of ________” that was part of a program called ‘Detour 2014’. At first, I did not have a solid idea for my artwork so I simply started to depict the people who passed by the hallway, who stopped by and watched my drawing process and people who I had conversation with. They are local people, tourists, families, elderlies, artists, designers, students, etc. Throughout the five days of working on site, I heard many interesting stories and point of views about life from different people. I believe everyone has his/her unique experience and stories to tell. The final illustration included a total of 270 people, so I named it “Circle of 270 stories”. What are some of the exhibitions that you have participating in, and can you tell us more about the experience? Many years ago, I was told “Great work can lead you around the world”. Those [continued...] 37

Working on site in PMQ, Hong Kong

Brainstorming & drafting the outfit of each character

Greeting card illustrated for Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

Progress on the second day

[...continued] words were so eye opening for me, it made me treasure every opportunity that I had to share my work with the public. I am honored that my work got accepted in the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Exhibition in New York, Kaohsiung Design Festival in Taiwan and the World Animal Day Exhibition Tour 2014 in Hong Kong. The huge amount of exposure for my work opened up many doors for me. I feel both excited and nervous every time because audiences might give me an instant reaction; the tension before you receive their comments, be it positive or negative, is never something you get used to. I am grateful to have met so many people from different countries who share

the common interest and passion in art through participating in exhibitions. What does it take to become an illustrator? Would you say that it is based on pure talent alone or practice? There are many different paths that one could take to become an illustrator but I believe, like with so many other things; passion and a strong interest are essential elements to stay motivated to continue the pursuit in becoming an illustrator. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to continuously create new work, share this work via social media and actively submit your work to competitions and publications to reach out to potential clients. I would also say that becoming an illustrator is not only based on

“Food Paradise”

“Winter Time”, watercolor and color pencil on paper

pure talent, but constant practice is also important to develop one’s talent and make improvements. What are some of your goals in life and your career in illustration? It has always been a dream of mine to become a children’s book author and illustrator. I hope that one day I can travel around the world with just my sketchbook and drawing tools to interview people I meet on my journey, collecting stories from their lives and retelling them through my illustrations. What’s the best advice that you could give to an up and coming creative wishing to have a career as an illustrator? I had a hard time in finding my illustration style

Amimi Cheng

and was afraid to step out of my comfort zone to accept challenges. However, I soon realized that personal style comes when you do not limit yourself and worry about how others think about you. Also, don’t be shy to share your work on social media and showcasing your work at art shows, because you will never know who would be interested in your work until you try! Be proactive and stay positive! Finally, you seem to really like hats. Is there a reason behind this? My hair is naturally curly, dry and frizzy all the time and it takes me a lot of time to take care of it before I go out. When I got into University, I started to lose patience in taking care of it because the assignments

and work occupied most of my time. To resolve this, I started to wear hats. It was first for practical reasons, but now I have totally fallen in love with hats. I began to collect different styles of hats and wear them for different occasions. My obsession with hats has also influenced my illustrations. For more information about Amimi Cheng, go to amimicheng.com or check out her blog thegirlintheorangehat.blogspot.com. Follow her on Instagram @Amimi.Cheng and on Facebook: Amimi Cheng Illustration. ‘Circle of Stories’ photo series photographed by Brian Jim. Amimi Cheng’s personal photo by Simon Lei. 39

bazaar apps The bazaar team’s favorite apps!

FRUIT NINJA (Padmini)

PINTEREST (Amira)

When you hear the name Fruit Ninja, you’re probably thinking – hey, 2010 called and said it’s time to move on. But the geniuses at Half Brick studio have found a way to revive this once-forgotten game with the new Ghostbusters theme. With a new dojo and blade – you can now slice even more fruit with the additions of ghostly boom boxes exploding with extra fruit and a blade that you can use once a game to annihilate everything on screen. Happy slicing, Ninjas.

While physical scrapbooking is making a comeback, digital scrapbooking has been brewing up a storm. With endless medium options (from Instagram, when used properly, to We (Heart) It), Pinterest provides the ultimate experience. From planning out my seasonal sartorial shopping, to collecting recipes and party ideas, Pinterest has been my best friend. I even planned my whole wedding over Pinterest. Available as a weblink and app for both Android and iOS, you can literally plan anything at anytime and anywhere.

OUTLET – Marketplace in Kuwait (Yasmine)

PEAK – Brain Training (Lili)

With the rise of the ‘insta’ business, as well as the astounding growth of small shops that sell specialist items in Kuwait, this app is a musthave for every shopper. Imagine, your local mall, filled with unique stores and services, at your fingertips! If it’s art you’re after, or a fabulous piece of jewelry, you can digitally acquire these items with a simple swipe. They also accept K-net, which is always a relief! If you own a small business, then you can also easily get in touch to sign up through the app and join the e-commerce revolution!

In the nonstop world of our days, sometimes it feels like there is no time to sit down and read a book, watch a documentary or participate in the continued learning essential for the sharpening of cognitive skills. With bite-sized daily workouts that stimulate cerebral aspects such as focus, memory and mental ability, PEAK makes braintraining effortless. One of the most important features of the app is the post-workout chart that clearly displays your progress and weak points. The interactive display also allows you to superimpose the average results for people of your age and line of work, providing you with a goal to strive for.

YB (Rebecca)

GUITAR BOTS (Sarah)

Thanks to our favorite show ‘Breaking Bad’ there is no bad time to utter this phrase. Need to greet a friend? Loving on your friend? Fed up with your friend? It works in all manners of conversations. There are four message options to send to your friends on the app, all of which are said in Aaron Paul’s voice: “Yo, b****” in a whisper; “Yo, b****” in an annoyed voice; “Yo, b****” in an excited voice; and just a plain “Yo, b****.” It’s the simple things in life….Available currently only in iPhone, but coming to Android in early 2015.

Though I’m not a big fan of Apple products, it’s apps like this that make me happy that I have an iPad mini. The Guitar Bots app is akin to walking around with your personal guitar tutor in your pocket or bag. It is able to assess your playing just by listening to your guitar through the internal microphone. Through skill tests it is able to recommend the best lessons that teach chords, tabs and how to follow a beat. With a community to back you up and support your learning process, it’s the perfect app for the beginner guitarist.

SALONE DEL

FIRST KNOW THYSELF by Mohammed El Soukkary

So you’ve done it. This is the time for new beginnings. Against all rational advice, your todo list for this year includes over a dozen books, enough exercise to exhaust an Olympic athlete, and enough good deeds to make Mother Theresa feel selfish. You look proudly at your list, and visualize yourself at the end of the year, modestly accepting the prize for Good Deeds for 2015 as you sport your now spectacular abs, delivering a powerfully emotional speech that touches the very soul of everyone listening. Odds, however, are that this will probably not happen, but if it does, I expect to be invited to your acceptance speech. You tell yourself that you have decided that you now know where you want to go, and you have visualized reaching that stage, but there is something that we often overlook; we fail to consider where we stand and who we are today compared to this hypothetical future version of ourselves who is at the end of the road we have yet to tread. And therein lies the problem: It is not uncommon for us to look at that future version of us as if they were a stranger entirely separate from ourselves, which is reflected in our tendency to postpone the more difficult tasks to later because we tend to think of the person who will have to deal with them as someone else. It is at this stage that overthinking and visualization come in; visualizing your goals helps give your brain a simulated feeling of accomplishment (but you know that because you have read bazaar’s December issue), which reduces your drive to actually go out and attempt to accomplish them. Overthinking helps sustain the 42

illusion that you are working towards achieving your goals, without actually having to exert any effort in their regard; it is like refusing to begin building an apartment complex because you are still considering what color curtains you will eventually install. Overthinking irrelevant details (color of the curtains), without seriously considering how to actually accomplish your goal (apartment complex) only serves to delay your taking any actual, proactive steps towards accomplishing your goal; when you visualize yourself, it is usually at the end of your journey with your goals completed (standing there in front of a completed apartment complex, considering what color the curtains should be). Qui Sum I? That’s Latin for “Who Am I?” because one of my resolutions many years back was to attempt to learn Latin, which of course I didn’t go through with, but that left me with a few phrases that pop up sometimes when I sit in front of a keyboard. We all know that the next question that pops up at this stage is “What is the next step?” but what we rarely consider is who it is that is doing the asking, and who it is we expect to go through the difficulties necessary to achieve our goals. If we fall into the trap of thinking of future selves as an separate entity (which studies from the universities of Stanford, New York, and Princeton say we do), not only do we tend to postpone the more dreary tasks to later, but we will also more likely raise the bar beyond what we would if we thought of future self as the same person we are today. The assumption inside our brains is that the person who will have to deal with the problem will somehow be different from us today; we assume

that they will not mind doing the dreary task that we are avoiding like an angry beehive. The assumption is wrong; if you do not want to do the task now, you will likely not be any more enthusiastic to engage in the task in the future because it is still you who has to do the task, even if it is future you. Just Do It! If you finally accept the idea that current you and future you are in fact the same person, and you still want to go through what you need to go through to get to reach your goal, you will probably try to plan your every step and think of everything down to the last detail, down to the color of the curtains. Stop it; after all ‘it is easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than it is to think your way into a new way of acting.’(Jerry Sternin, The Power of Positive Deviance) Remember Jaime Foxx’s character ‘Max’ from the movie Collateral (can you believe that it has been ten years)? How he had the idyllic picture of his dream beach on his sun visor, and visualized his goal of owning a limousine company? And how he did precisely nothing else towards either of those goals? It turns out that Vincent (Tom Cruise’s less than friendly character) was right; all it ever took was a down payment on a Lincoln Town Car. All it ever took was the first step. You don’t have to map out every detail of your path in order to take the first step. So until you actually take that first step, until the you of today decides that you will take the responsibility instead of trying to pin it on someone else (future you, in this case), who will likely do the same thing, further perpetuating the cycle, things will not change. After all, all it takes is a down payment on a Lincoln town car, right?

AL TIJARI CBK

BAUME & MERCIER‘S “PROMESSE”

Interview with Brand Manager, Mr. Stanislas Rambaud by bazaar staff

Life is all about those special moments spent with the most significant people in our lives, and Baume & Mercier have dedicated themselves to celebrating these cherished instances. As part of this promise, Baume & Mercier recently collaborated with its agents in Kuwait, prominent Retail Group, Morad Yusuf Behbehani to launch the Promesse collection. We speak to Mr. Stanislas Rambaud, Baume & Mercier’s Brand Manager for the Middle East Region and India, to learn more about this special collection. Prior to taking on the role of Brand Manager, Mr. Rambaud has extensively worked with IWC for 7 years. Hi Stanislas! Can you tell us a little bit more about your new role with Baume & Mercier? It feels fantastic to focus on Baume & Mercier and we’ve collectively accomplished a lot over the last year and a half. We are definitely heading to the next level, this is an exciting time for Baume & Mercier. What’s so special about the new women’s collection, Promesse and how would you describe the collection? This collection is first and foremost geared toward women. Given the heritage that is shared between Baume & Mercier and their esteemed female clientele, the brand has enjoyed an experience of more than 100 years of manufacturing and designing watches for women, and Promesse arrives to solidify this relationship. We are essentially going back to the roots of the brand, and the design of the collection is extremely special. The collection is available in two extremely feminine 30 mm and 34 mm sizes; Promesse transforms time into a subtly perceptible vibration. The curves of the bracelet harmoniously 44

reflect those of the polished steel case. A Swiss made quartz caliber or a mechanical self-winding movement drives this elegantly understated and refined watch. The classic shape of the Promesse collection is enhanced with a precious touch by enhancing its oval bezel with mother-of pearl, capping it with 18K red gold or gracefully highlighting the design by setting it with diamonds. The pure, delicate and contemporary silver-colored dial with its “drapé guilloché’’ decor or carved in shimmering azure mother-of-pearl, provides an eminently readable display of time with the help of Roman numerals and indexes. The unlimited piece that is set with diamonds, for instance, is very emblematic and luxurious, while other styles from Promesse can be more casual. This makes Promesse an extremely versatile collection, highlighted by Baume & Mercier’s promise of understated luxury. The collection is also versatile in terms of its different style offerings, with styles for different price points. We go above and beyond the notion of jewelry watches; the idea is to present different price ranges that all share a similar classic design, yet precious and luxurious elements make for everyday luxury. What is the inspiration behind this collection, and what type of woman would select a timepiece from Promesse? It is definitely inspired by women, specifically the female Baume & Mercier customer. While the original Promesse, first emerged in the 70s as a classic, precious watch conveying a strong emotional charge, the new Promesse collection is the recognizable descendant of a 1970s model from the Baume & Mercier museum collection. What we have recently launched is completely new

and unique to today’s modern woman. The young professional, to the conservative type of woman who is looking for that special investment piece, we are hoping to engage women aged 25-45 years old. The name of the collection also speaks miles of what we wish to communicate through this collection. Promesse or promise, as a name, also resounds with women, delivering a promise of luxury and commitment to effortless style, and the name also speaks to our values, what we wish to communicate today. We want to be the brand that celebrates the important moments in life, to share in our customers’ experiences. With the rise of digital, or smart watches that deliver on design and technology, how does B&M compete? First of all, we can’t quite say that we are competing with this market; we’re definitely not intimated. If you take any smart device, for instance, you are constantly changing this device to stay up to date, and the same thought process can be applied to the Smart Watch. It’s meant to be changed. A timepiece, however, is meant to be kept and to be passed on to generations. I think that the fact that young people don’t wear anything on their wrists anymore can actually change with the smart watch. Once they get used to the notion of having something to wear on their wrists, this habit will transition them into wanting to wear a more luxurious or more precious timepiece, and that will eventually lead us to new customers. You can shop Baume & Mercier at select Behbehani showrooms including Al Hamra Luxury Center, The Avenues, Behbehani Complex, Marina Mall, Souq Sharq and Salhiya Complex.

SALHIYA MEDICAL

by bazaar staff

SALMIYAH

THEATER

ENTER,

STAGE RIGHT

It’s always great to hear from “interviewees past” to see what new and exciting projects they’re working on. In the case of one, Dawood Al Qattan, there’s always something incredible in the making, it’s just a matter of keeping up. So in an effort to catch up with the latest architectural news, we contacted Dawood, principal of Qattan Architects, to discuss his latest venture, the Salmiyah Theater. Reintroducing the concept of all things theatrical, the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) has commissioned Qattan Architects back in 2006 to imagine a theater in the heart of Salmiyah. Fast forward several years later, construction began and the theater is now officially open.

When Engineer Ali Al-Youha inspected the performing arts scene in Kuwait, he had an epiphany; standalone theaters haven’t been built in Kuwait circa 1960. The need for a stage to house the performing arts scene was quickly growing, and the idea was born. Eng. Ali Al-Youha, head of the Engineering Department at the time of inception in the NCCAL, started planning such a place. The theater, being independent, isn’t affiliated to any Cooperative or as part of a larger complex; that’s what makes it different from other theaters in the country. Another notable difference is that it will serve primarily as a performing arts theater and all other uses will be secondary. Dawood made that perfectly clear with the setup of the interior. “The acoustics are designed well enough not to require amplification,” Dawood states. They have, although, fully equipped the theater with state-of-theart speakers, amplifiers, and recording equipment for productions to use as they please. As for the seating, the audience layout was conceptualized brilliantly to completely immerse theatergoers with a sense of mutual perception. That being essential to those in attendance of the live performing arts, the seating is created to emulate the shape of a horseshoe, and the sections parabolic, which ensures the best experience possible. Finding the actual plot of land proved trickier than anticipated. With limited options to house the theater, the NCCAL decided on the plot near the NBK and Geant supermarket due to it’s proximity to heavily populated 48

residential spaces. Luckily, the plot was theater size appropriate as well, giving them the opportunity to build the perfectly engineered structure. With the revival of the theater scene in Kuwait, the Salmiyah Theater will enhance the existing scene and become accessible to all. “It’s still not on par with the theater scene as it was in the 60’s and 70’s,” Dawood adds, but he’s hopeful that a more concerted effort will be made by both government and private sectors to absorb the public in the arts and culture scene. Sophisticated playwrights like Sulaiman Al-Bassam and Abdullah Al-Turkomani are currently making strong debuts, and in this theater will give many others the opportunity to create pieces worthy of a stage. What caught our attention here at bazaar HQ is the design of the building itself. We asked Dawood to explain the aesthetics behind the architectural plans and how the idea for the design came about. “In principal, the local environment’s high temperatures, unforgiving sun, and the need for low maintenance drove the design. The external shell is made of untreated precast concrete panels, 3.2m by 2m in size; this proportion approaches the golden ratio and is found throughout the building. External openings are kept to a minimum, except for the elevation facing the main street. The lobby and the wall encasing the auditorium are treated with high-performance parquet while the rest of the walls are the same, untreated concrete, blurring the boundaries between the inside and the outside. The

auditorium shape corresponds to the soft wood feel with a fluid shape versus the strong tectonic grid set by the concrete panels. All together, this amounts to a building within a building, whereas the internal structure spills into the landscape by both shape and light. The theater is also fully digitized with a motorized rigging system, entirely operable from a smartphone or any other device,” he explains. Dawood continues, “The glazing on the main elevation is fitted with ceramic dots to diffuse sunlight and act as a screen for a projector located opposite the building. The idea is that when there is a performance, which is free anyway, it will be projected onto the main façade and people can enjoy it from the landscaped area; this is also a means of bringing theater to the masses.” Reminiscent of the much loved free opera screenings in Trafalgar Square, London, if you can’t go into the theater, the theater will come out to you. Not affiliated with any theater company, the Salmiyah Theater is completely free of charge and promises to entertain the public whether you’re in the theater proper, or enjoying the currently glorious weather outside. Thespians rejoice, the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters has created a space with you in mind. For more information on the Salmiyah Theater, you can contact the NCCAL or head to the theater proper located on Hamad Al-Mubarak Street next to NBK.

HOME CENTRE

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WALL SCRABBLE

CHEVROLET COLORADO ZR2 CONCEPT

You don’t need to be a superhero/mutant/ sorcerer to shoot fire from your hands. All you need is the Pyro Handheld Fireshooter. This very real, very crazy gadget designed for illusionists, magicians, and other performers, sits on the underside of your wrists so it can be hidden by a sleeve, is activated by a remote switch you hide away in your opposite hand, and can be fired up to four times without reloading. Needless to say, you’re going to want to read the entire instruction manual before you start throwing flames at anything and everything you see.

Gain a whole new perspective on family game night with Wall Scrabble. Measuring nearly seven feet wide and roughly five feet tall, this massive game board is made from solid wood, and features vintage graphics taken from the original 1949 edition. Along with the board itself, the tiles are also made of wood, and boast powerful integrated magnets to keep them in place. Each player (up to four) gets their own detachable, chalkboardbacked tile rack that can be turned around to store their tiles on the board, a built-in chalkboard lets you keep track of the score, and a fabric bag to store extra tiles.

Tracing its roots to the off-road S10 variant first introduced in 1994, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Concept looks to bring the model two decades into the future. It boasts a body that’s four-inches wider than its Z71 sibling and all-new front and rear facias, giving it greater approach and departure angles. Other off-road features include integrated, flip-out aluminum tow hooks, a built-in winch, and shock absorbers by King. And with a new 2.8L Duramax diesel providing an estimated 181 hp, it’s got the power to get you through whatever the wilderness throws your way.

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HEXOSKIN ARCTIC BIOMETRIC SMART SHIRT

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In 2013 the Hexoskin smart shirt was successfully funded on Indiegogo offering a wearable apparel alternative to fitness trackers. They have now introduced a shirt that keep users warm in cold locations. This smart shirt from Hexoskin tracks metrics like heart rate, steps and calories burned, plus cadence, activity level, acceleration, breathing rate, heart rate recovery and more. It actually tracks 42,000 data points per minute through sensors woven right into the textile. That data is sent to a 1.4 oz device that plugs into the shirt and its dedicated app is compatible with both iOS & Android phones. Of course, it also keeps you really warm.

Traveling light while bringing along more than just the pair of shoes on your feet requires quite a bit of Tetris-ing into your normally under-equipped pack. And that’s precisely where the Shrine Sneaker Duffel excels. Designed to carry two pairs of sneakers up to size 20, this specialist bag features matte finish, weather resistant shoe compartments on either side of the main cavity, which is covered in charcoal herringbone fabric. Other features include a rear zippered pocket for your tablet, a quick-access front velcro pocket, a dedicated watch pocket for your favorite time piece, pockets for your chargers and cables, and enough room for three outfits.

Some of the best time wasters fit snugly into your pocket and we aren’t talking about your smartphone. EDC Tops from J.L. Lawson & Co. take a game that has been around for centuries and modernizes it with these manually machined pieces. Starting from a solid bar of 7/8” brass or copper, each piece is then manually turned and a tungsten carbide ball is press fit for the tip. A custom leather pouch is also included for storage. Whether it’s a relaxing ritual or a competition for the longest spin time, each top is hand made to last for as many spins as you can muster.

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truth or dare

MAKE WAY FOR THE

Lama Al-Fadala

#JABALSHAMSRANGERS! by bazaar staff

Last featured in our bazaar pages back in 2011, we were super excited when we learned about Lama Al-Fadala’s latest exploits in the great outdoors. When she told us that she was part of a group that organizes adventure trips in Oman that are geared toward encouraging adults and kids to experience the great outdoors, we had to find out more! A little over a year ago, Lama considered it normal for people to approach her to talk about politics – she’s constantly asked to comment on her tweets. When she decided to shave her head and donate her hair for a cancer charity, however, she noticed something different. She explained, “I only did it in hopes that others would do it, and we ended with 20 hair donations. My actions elicited a response from cancer patients to friends of patients and even random people. A woman once hugged me, and I was so taken back by the fact that 52

people here in Kuwait are beginning to let go of cultural constrictions and what we call ‘social boundaries.’ Finally we are speaking with one another.” Feeling a deep sense of gratification, Lama continued to seek out instigating change, and saw that her recent trips to Oman with renowned explorer and adventurer Ali Husain and a similar minded group of people provided for a wonderful opportunity. She added, “I learned that once you touch something that someone is feeling deep inside, they let go of silly and contrived socio-cultural constrictions.” Nowadays, Lama tries to squeeze in an adventure excursion in Oman twice a month. Recently however, they tried something different: Taking children on a marked trail in Jabal Shams. The concept has grown with the efforts of people like Lama, where she has taken it upon herself to encourage children to embrace and explore all that nature has to offer. “It’s work,” she stated,

“You’re set on a schedule, and you have to strictly abide to these time constraints for your safety, and the safety of others too.” Everyone pitches in to get things done in time, and Lama loves how children, like adults, are taught to work with people that they’ve never met before in their life. She also explained that her desire to do this came from her experience as a mother. “When I started going on these adventure trips with Ali about seven months ago, it came to me. I realized how I wished that I had this opportunity as a child. I wish I had started younger, and I’d like to offer my children this opportunity.” For children, adventures are filled with wonder, and once they know that they can experience things that they have only ever imagined or seen on a smart device, they will want to actively prepare for one. While she does believe that these trips encourage children to maintain a better fitness routine, she sees a hike on a marked trail at Jabal

Shams as the perfect opportunity for children, as well as parents, to let go of technology and experience the real world. Lama also informed us that the trips are set to take place only during the weekend, as to not disrupt a family’s regular weekly schedule. Because Oman is conveniently located, a father can take his son on a fun weekend for a true bonding experience through the adult and child option, or the whole family can embark on this experience together. If you think that one weekend is not enough, the experience proved the total opposite for many people who participated. “One day, Brilliant Impact.” Lama said, quoting a previous participating mother. To ensure the safety of all the participants, the trips take place at Jabal Shams by taking on a beautiful, marked trail to an abandoned village that is hundreds of years old. The team behind this effort is also slowly but surely planning more activities, once

more and more people get familiar with the trail and Oman’s landscapes. She believes that the most important experience that children and adults alike can take away from this trip is the fact that you arrive one day, meet new people, and explore something entirely new with well-trained guides. She added, “The relationships you build know no family names, positions backgrounds or preferences – you are simply connected by working together on these trips. The effort behind what is now easily found on Instagram by looking up the hashtag, #jabalshamsrangers, is completely organic. Parents are most certainly responsible for their children’s safety, and it is Lama’s responsibility, along with the guides and co-guides, to set up a safe program and trail and to facilitate the whole experience. All trips will include the presence of guides and co-guides, to ensure that someone is around to offer assistance and guidance,

even encouragement when it is needed! While the trail is safe and marked, Lama also stresses that parents need to understand that the hike is definitely a physically challenging one, as this is not a touristy camping trip. Everyone is expected to chip in and do their part, and even clean up after him- or herself. Lama’s three girls, for instance, accompanied her on a recent trip, taking on the same marked trail. They recalled that the trail was difficult, but so much fun, even interrupting their mother to ask her during our interview about when their next trip to Oman would be. If you’re wondering about the duration of the actual trail, it takes about four hours to start the trail that ends at the village and return back to the initial campsite. Lama said that all 20 participants succeeded in completing the trail, and we think that you and your little ones will also be able to do it. [continued...] 53

truth or dare [...continued] What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked? When going on excursions, camping, hiking, canyoning, people ask: How do we go to the bathroom? What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Exploring a wadi (valley) and walking into a cave where bats started flying out, like butterflies! What is your theme song? “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol. What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? 2asli ‫أصلي‬ Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location? Anywhere I can be outdoors, close to the sea, close to a mountain, climbing, jumping off cliffs, sleeping under the stars and maybe have a break and spend a month in Manhattan! I would love to retire in Boulder, Colorado. There are no words to describe it but I lived there for 5 years. Maybe I should choose a place halfway from home, like Sweden. What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? Things do not change; we change. What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in? A dog. What do you miss about your childhood? Nothing, I’m still living it! If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Sophia. How would you describe your handshake in one word? I don’t do handshakes, I prefer hugs. What is the toughest part of your character? Some say I nag, I call it persistence. Who is your favorite historical figure? Henry David Thoreau. What in the world do you least desire? Fake people. What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place? People not giving up on what they believe and fighting for the people who cannot fight for themselves. Why do you think most girls/guys like you? My friends replied to this: “Because you’re a free spirit. You’re fun, down to Earth, you’re healthy and work out. You take everything with a positive manner, and you make excellent sweet potato.” Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” Joah, Leen, and Zina. For more information or inquiries, you can get in touch with either Lama or Ali Husain on Instagram, @elle_fadala and @husaak. 54

STUDIO SIXTEEN

artist of the month

BUILDING MUSICAL BRIDGES Tarek Yamani

The recent Nuqat conference in November revolved around acknowledging ‘The Missing Link’ that prevents a collective approach to the creative industry in the Middle East. People were offered the chance to attend lectures and participate in workshops hosted by some of the Middle East’s most creative minds. One such mind belongs to Tarek Yamani, award-winning composer, pianist and founder of “Beirut Speaks Jazz”. His latest album, Lisan Al Tarab: Jazz Conceptions in Classical Arabic, utilizes a fusion of traditional Arabic music and Jazz, contributing to a truly unique and hybridized sound. In this way, Yamani bridges not only the wide spaces between strict musical disciplines, but also the gap separating people from musical creativity. Born in Beirut in 1980, Yamani’s successful career in music was no surprise. He was raised in 56

by bazaar staff

a house full of music enthusiasts and his father’s love for a variety of musical styles certainly rubbed off on him. From rock to reggae, disco to classical, Arabic tarab (closely defined as traditional Arabic music, or music that inflicts an emotional response) to Indian, Yamani understood from a young age that music was versatile. Around 1990, he strayed from the academic, classical music route and decided that if he wanted to pursue a career in music, he would have to do it on his own terms. How did your musical journey begin? I always approached music in an independent way. After I left the national conservatory, I borrowed a guitar from my neighbor and taught myself to play it. I got very deep into rock and heavy metal music, and started a band with my friends from school. Eventually, I felt the need to return to the piano, but this time I started from scratch. I had a completely

new attitude and I learned from the jazz masters themselves through the CDs I began collecting. From the moment jazz took my interest, I had a dream to one day be able to capture the mystery behind this African-American innovation. I could never imagine how many years it would take me to achieve that. Everything revolved around decoding the language of jazz and although it was difficult to begin with, it was an incredible feeling every time a riddle was solved. I was addicted to it then and I‘m addicted to it now. Is the final sound of a musical track an individual or group effort? A musical track is a group effort in any kind of music, from through-composed pieces, to highly improvised jazz. In jazz there is no true repetition. The final sound is as adaptable, branched and teamworked as a discussion over dinner. It is [continued...]

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Yamani with Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock [...continued] practically impossible to reiterate the exact same emotions, gestures and words that appeared in that conversation. How have audiences – and those in the Middle East in particular – reacted to your sound? Playing piano solo is a very delicate experience, for both the performer and the audience. The performer is alone with their instrument and is responsible for channeling their energy into the audience, who in turn reflects it back. The audience plays a much bigger role in the course of the performance than in productions involving more than one musician. Most of the concerts I played had unpredictable outcomes, as I was scheduling performances in cities not used to having jazz piano solo concerts such as Tunis, Alexandria and Beirut. However, the result was extremely pleasing and it denounced the misconception that Arab audiences do not want to 58

get closer to jazz. It was an insightful experience from which I learned a lot. In what ways do African-American jazz rhythms influence you and your music? I’ve always had a peculiar attraction to African rhythms, so my main inspiration has always been music with its essence deriving from those specific roots. Jazz is at the top of the list, because to me there is absolutely no other music genre in which such a supreme balance is found between complex rhythms, beautiful melodies, sophisticated harmonies, and collective improvisation. Jazz is so rural yet urban, deep yet accessible, controlled yet free, instinctive yet mind-powered, and that somewhere within the groove lies the secret of the universe. How have you shared your love of jazz through “Beirut Speaks Jazz”? I founded the initiative in order to bring jazz closer to

Lebanese people by inviting well-known artists from a variety of musical genres and have them sing in a jazz context. This helps spark new collaborative possibilities to ignite for the artists themselves and it will encourage fans of different musical genres to experience jazz in a whole new way. It will hopefully help them realize how free, elastic and limitless jazz is and how easily it can be embraced. What inspired you to start working on Lisan Al Tarab? I always wanted to adapt muwashahat to jazz but I never knew when the bell would ring. Two years after I released my first album Ashur, I was ready to go into the studio. In February 2014, I won a “Culture Resource” production grant so I immediately started preparing for the new record. It was not the first time I explored the common grounds between jazz and Arabic music. Four years prior, I had implemented a dabke in a piano solo composition and Arabic sounding scales in the composition Ashur. However, it wasn’t until then that I decided to focus all those experimentations into one single project. Did any other musicians join you on your journey towards completing the album? I played with Greek bassist Petros Klampanis, whom I first met in Holland in 2007. Six years later we crossed paths in New York and ended up playing a concert together in 2013. His Greek heritage and position as a true jazz player made him very sensitive to Arabic music. He was soon playing muwashahat like he grew up listening to them. American drummer John Davis, whom I met at a jam session in New York in 2011, also joined me. John plays the drums with certain fluidity and the way he assimilates rhythms like the dabke and the sama’i is incredible. How did you manage to bridge the gap between jazz and Arabic music? Music is a universal language just like breathing is a universal reflex. As much as each person is unique and considers himself “different,” there are all those universal aspects, which make us identical. When we forget about our differences we come together as one. It is the same with music and its subgenres. If we manage to find the universal aspects that govern two musical styles, bridging those styles together will become obvious by itself. What is one of your greatest musical challenges at the moment? The main challenge I face is the use of quarter tones. Quarter tones are half the chromatic step found on a piano and only appear in Arabic music. This makes my choices limited. For example, in Lisan Al Tarab, I only chose songs that don’t have quarter tones as it would have been impossible to play them on a well-tempered piano. However, there is a solution to everything and this challenge is what I’m planning to take on next. To discover more about Tarek Yamani’s music and “Beirut Speaks Jazz” initiative, visit his webpage www.tarekyamani.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @tarek_yamani and check out bazaar.town for additional media provided by the artist! Photos courtesy of Jean Boutros, Lina Shteyn, Rebecca D’Angelo.

SHOEBOX

OLIVIA PALERMO INTRODUCES THE

MAX&Co.

SPRING 2015 ‘PERFECT WARDROBE ISSUE’ As women open their wardrobes every morning, they are faced with more fashion choices than ever before – not to mention less time to make them. Mindful of their challenge, Italian brand MAX&Co. has enlisted the support of New York-born style icon Olivia Palermo to help break down the new codes of fashion and rewrite the rules of easy chic for every occasion. A daily source of inspiration for women around the world, Olivia Palermo is recognized and admired for her flawless sense of style – the result of natural flair, editing savvy and a passion for creative accessorizing. In conversation with editor Yale Breslin, Olivia explores the themes that inspired the MAX&Co. Spring/Summer 2015 collection. The result is three exceptional magazines that will be available in every MAX&Co! As the Italian Brand’s Style Ambassador For Spring/Summer 2015, Palermo thinks that the antidote to trend fatigue is a perfect modern wardrobe. The perfect modern wardrobe is a thoughtful, personal edit of versatile favorites, new classics and exciting statement pieces to herald the new season. Olivia Palermo’s personal wardrobe and style reflect this probably better than any other contemporary style icon’s. Over the years, she has built an enviable collection of clothing and accessories, mixing great classics with modern pieces, helping redefine the rules of city chic in the progress: ‘My style is eclectic, with a bit of a polished element to it. There is a little structure, definitely accessories and always a pop of color’, she says. The MAX&Co. Spring/Summer 2015 collection addresses the modern wardrobe’s need for ‘foundation pieces,’ redefining proportions and experimenting with inspirations and materials borrowed from the world of sportswear, yet firmly in the tradition of Italian tailoring and craftsmanship. It features: - A new take on the trench - an investment piece that multiplies its value by becoming a sleeveless dress and cropped jacket when needed. A burst of youthful allure from a timeless classic; - Versatile solid V-neck and marinière stripe cashmere sweaters in a multitude of colors, from egg yolk to emerald, to coral; - Masculine and feminine shirts with modern, redefined proportions – in poplin or silk, solid, striped or with alluring sheer inserts; - New takes on the classic leather jacket – collarless chic in coral shades or biker in unexpectedly soft sorbet shades; - Blazers with classic proportions yet crafted with soft jersey – a subtle sportswear influence that spells chic comfort, as do the collection’s knitwear separates. ‘The word ‘style’ for me involves independence’, says Olivia. ‘I would give this advice to any girl – dress for yourself and feel confident in what you are wearing’, she adds. Her personal go-to items? ‘I think it’s really important to have a great blazer. You can wear it during the day, you can wear it at night, so it’s definitely multi use, as is a cashmere sweater. A mid-length skirt is a great solution for women in transition from season to season. Add a piece of jewelry, a watch to keep you on time, and you are ready to go!’, she adds. The MAX&Co. ‘Perfect Wardrobe Issue’ and the MAX&Co. Spring/Summer 2015 collection is available at the MAX&Co store in Kuwait. For more information, visit the MAX&Co boutique at the 2nd Avenue – The Avenues. Please call 2259 8073 or find their latest updates on Instagram by following Alyasra Fashion @Alyasra. A digital edition and exclusive content will be available on www.maxandco.com and the brand’s social media channels throughout the season.

THE BUCKET LIST by Bibi Al-Falah

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when we take a somber look at our lives and really assess what we want to change for the promise of a better outcome than what we are currently producing. The fresh new calendar year stares at us like a beacon of hope, encouraging us to make truckloads of promises we cannot usually keep and schedule personal training sessions we will not likely attend. It is the time of year where we continue to make the same mistakes as last year and the year before that; trying to change our lives overnight as the clock strikes 12 on the 31st of December. This made me think about the other side of the New Year spectrum. Instead of focusing on the negatives, or the things that will probably not change by any measure of reality unless we want them to, why don’t we think more about what we want to do, I mean really do, over the course of our entire lives? I am referring to the famed concept of the “bucket list”, which is another way of saying, all the things we want to do before we “kick the bucket” (a PG13 synonym phrase for “die”). I started thinking about what’s on my bucket list, as life often seems so much shorter than we anticipate it to be. In all honesty, I am still dreaming of a time where the calendar month will have absolutely no significance to me because everything will be in such perfect balance that it won’t matter if it is January or June. Until that day comes, I decided it was time to make my very own bucket list, and here’s to hoping I get through it! General disclaimer: I am by no means a daredevil, I actually only take calculated risks and detest adrenaline rushes, so your bucket list doesn’t have to exclusively combine a bunch of life threatening activities that make you wish you were actually dead, like scuba diving with sharks. For all you out there with a twisted desire to jump out of a plane, I’ll be waiting at the bottom with a camera. My list looks a little more this: 1. Visit South America. Luckily, I just happened to have a cousin that lives in Buenos Aires. How many people can say that? This wish is likely to come true very soon as I have a trip lined up this year. 2. Learn Spanish. I took Spanish I and II but never continued even though I adored the language. Who knows, maybe I’ll go to South America and never come back… 3. Go rock climbing. I have already been hiking on some pretty unfriendly terrain, but rock climbing seems absolutely fantastic. 4. Go hiking in Nepal. One of my best friends, Nora Al-Rowaished started her very own non-profit called OX Adventure. I fully intend on going to their next trip to Nepal. I was supposed to go this last Eid but as fate would have it, it wasn’t meant to be. Nora, I promise you I’ll be there on the next one! 5. Own a summer home in Southern California. 62

I went to university in Arizona, but will never forget the bliss I felt every time the plane touched down in Southern Cali. I know everyone always thinks of Los Angeles in this arena, but I’m more of a San Diego girl at heart. I would love to spend summers in this beautiful state. 6. Learn how to surf. I think my previous wish goes hand-in-hand with this one, don’t you? 7. Hike Kilimanjaro. Just kidding, that’s so cliché. 8. Attend a masquerade ball in Venice. That’s right I said it…. IN Venice. Boom. Also I’m completely and utterly as obsessed with masquerade masks as I am with Vampires (don’t ask). Should Venice prove slightly unattainable I will consider settling for a similar ball in a closer nation. 9. Ride a Helicopter Because why not! 10. Add a lock to the love bridge in Paris. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic that watched that episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians when Kourtney and Scott padlock their love on a lock at the famed bridge. Not that their relationship is by any means a goal, I would still love to take part in the cheesiness

of it all one day with someone special. 11. Go to an NBA All-Stars game. Although my father is a hardcore Greenbay Packers fan, I much prefer basketball to American Football when it comes to watching a sport. I won’t pretend that I have a team, so I think attending the all-stars game would be very fitting. 12. Run a marathon. I’m not talking about something crazy, but 10K would be nice. 13. Ride a motorcycle. I don’t have to be the driver, but I have always wanted to do this as much as it scares the life out of me. 14. Live in another country for a while. University doesn’t count, I would love to actually experience living somewhere other than Kuwait for once. 15. Make amends with everyone. Regarding any loose ends or any situations left without closure, I would never want to leave this world before clearing the air. This list can keep going on forever, but I will leave it at that for now. What’s on your bucket list?!

ZERO

‫الفنانة التشكيلية الكويتية منى الدويسان‬ ‫بقلم‪ :‬هيا السبيعي‬

‫‪Figure 1‬‬

‫‪Figure 3‬‬

‫منى الدويسان الفنانة التشكيلية وعضو في الجمعية‬ ‫الكويتية للفنون التشكيلية والرابطة الدولية للفنون واتحاد‬ ‫جمعيات الفنون التشكيلية الخليجية‪.‬‬ ‫متى كانت بدايات منى الدويسان ؟‬ ‫• ‬ ‫تخرجت في البداية من معهد المعلمات قسم التربية‬ ‫الفنية وخالل عشر سنوات حاولت أن أنمي نفسي من خالل‬ ‫الفن الذي تعلمته سواء كان فن النحت‪ ,‬الخزف ‪,‬الرسم‬ ‫الزيتي أو التصوير المائي‪.‬‬ ‫ماذا فعلت بعد ذلك؟‬ ‫• ‬ ‫اتجهت بعد ذلك إلى التصميم الداخلي ودرست في‬ ‫كلية التربية األساسية قسم التصميم الداخلي‪ .‬التربية‬ ‫الفنية والتصميم الداخلي هما مكمالن لبعض فالرسم‬ ‫يدخل في جميع مجاالت الحياة‪.‬‬ ‫ما هو الفن التشكيلي بالنسبة لك؟‬ ‫• ‬ ‫الفن التشكيلي مجاالته واسعة إلى أبعد الحدود‬ ‫فهو جزء من تصاميم األثاث والحوائط والطبيعة وحتى‬ ‫المالبس وتركيبتها‪ ،‬وهذا يأثر بالنفسية كثيرا‪ ،‬وهذا ما‬ ‫يسمى بالتذوق الفني‪.‬‬ ‫من خالل مشوار طويل بالفن‪ ،‬متى بدأت‬ ‫• ‬

‫تكونين شخصيتك الفنية التي تميزتي بها بين الفنانين؟‬ ‫بعد حصولي على الشهادة وتنمية شخصيتي الفنية‪،‬‬ ‫أصبح أسلوبي محدد من بين الفنانين بمجرد رؤية لوحة‬ ‫معينة يستطيع الشخص تمييز عمل الفنانة منى الدويسان‬ ‫عن فنان اخر‪.‬‬ ‫هل يمييز لوحات الفنانة منى الدويسان طابع‬ ‫• ‬ ‫التراث الكويتي؟‬ ‫صحيح فال يوجد أحلى من التراث الكويتي القديم‪.‬‬ ‫• ‬ ‫ممكن شرح بعض من لوحاتك؟‬ ‫طبعا ففي كل لوحة قصة‪ ،‬كما ترون في اللوحة األولى‬ ‫(‪ ) 1-figure‬ما يسمى ب أبو طبيلة‪ ،‬كان قديما يصحي‬ ‫الناس للسحور واألطفال يركضون خلفه ويلعبون معه‬ ‫والنساء يخرجون وبيدهم وجبة له وهناك تفاعل كبير‬ ‫معه‪.‬‬ ‫واللوحة الثالثة (‪ )3-figure‬هي للفنانة العريقة عوده‬ ‫المهنا وهي من أشهر الفنانات قديما ‪.‬‬ ‫هل قمتي بمعرض ما خالل الفترة السابقة؟‬ ‫• ‬ ‫نعم قمت بمعرض واحد في الحقيقة في عام ‪2010‬‬ ‫إسمه ( إحتواء ) ويتضمن ‪ 45‬لوحة من التراث و مايسمى‬

‫بالكويتي (البيت العود) ودور المرأة خالل سفر زوجها‬ ‫باحتواءها على البيت العود وجميع أفراده‪ ،‬فهي العنصر‬ ‫األساسي في كل أعمالي ولي قناعة تامة بأن المرأة هي‬ ‫أساس المجتمع‪ .‬و شاركت أيضا بمعارض مشتركة كثيرة‬ ‫منهم مهرجان بينالي الخرافي أكثر من سنة و مهرجان‬ ‫الكويت لإلبداع التشكيلي و قريبا سوف أقوم بمعرض أخر‬ ‫إن شاءاهلل في قطر واهلل الموفق‪.‬‬ ‫وهل شاركتي بمعارض خارج الكويت؟‬ ‫• ‬ ‫نعم شاركت بمعارض دولية ومثلت الكويت في دولة‬ ‫أوكرانيا مرتين و روما ومدريد ودول الخليج والقاهرة‬ ‫و ورشات خارج الكويت و شاركت في لجان التحكييم في‬ ‫الخارج أيضا‪.‬‬ ‫ما هي رسالتك األخيرة كفنانة تشكيلية؟‬ ‫• ‬ ‫يجب على شباب اليوم التمسك بالتراث الكويتي القديم‬ ‫تراث أجدادنا ‪ ،‬وعدم مسح هوية الكويت بهدم مبانيها‬ ‫القديمة‪.‬‬ ‫للمزيد من التفاصيل‪:‬‬ ‫إنستغرام‪ mona.alduwaisan.art@ :‬أو @‪marketmania_kw‬‬ ‫‪64‬‬

ATHLETE’S FOOT

bazaar movie night The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in January

THE WOMEN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH

VICE

SEVENTH SON

Release Date: January 1 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror Cast: Helen McCrory/Jeremy Irvine/Leilah de Meza

Release Date: January 1 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Bruce Willis/Ambyr Childers/Thomas Jane

Release Date: January 8 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Fantasy, Family Cast: Julianne Moore/Kit Harington/Jeff Bridges

Synopsis: Sequel to the 2012 film The Woman in Black. As bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of schoolchildren are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful schoolteacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, cut off by a causeway from the mainland, they are left at Eel Marsh House. One by one, the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the help of local military commander Harry, discovers that the group has awoken a dark force even more terrifying and evil than the city’s air raids. Eve must now confront her own demons to save the children and survive the woman in black.

Synopsis: Julian Michaels has designed the ultimate resort: Vice, where anything goes and the customers can play out their wildest fantasies with artificial inhabitants who look, think and feel like humans. When an artificial (Ambyr Childers) becomes selfaware and escapes, she finds herself caught in the crossfire between Julian’s mercenaries and a cop (Thomas Jane) who is hell-bent on shutting down Vice, and stopping the violence once and for all. Vice is Brian Miller’s sixth directorial effort and boasted his biggest budget yet at USD 10 million, and his second time working with Willis, who also starred in The Prince.

Synopsis: In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin, centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Gregory. He has only until the next full moon to train his new apprentice, Tom Ward to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Man’s only hope lies in the seventh son of a seventh son.

TAKEN 3

WILD CARD

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

Release Date: January 15 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller Cast: Liam Neeson/Maggie Grace/Famke Janssen

Release Date: January 22 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Cast: Jason Statham/Michael Angarano

Release Date: January 29 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance Cast: Eddie Redmayne/Felicity Jones/Tom Priory

Synopsis: This is the sequel to the 2012 film Taken 2 and the third and rumored final installment in the Taken film series. Liam Neeson returns as ex-covert operative Bryan Mills, whose reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Consumed with rage, and framed for the crime, he goes on the run to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and the police. For one last time, Mills must use his “particular set of skills,” to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now - his daughter.

Synopsis: Nick Wild (Jason Statham) is a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal professional skills and a personal gambling problem. When a friend is beaten by a sadistic thug, Nick strikes back, only to find out the thug is the son of a powerful mob boss. Suddenly Nick is plunged into the criminal underworld, chased by enforcers and wanted by the mob. Having raised the stakes, Nick has one last play to change his fortune...and this time, it’s all or nothing. From two-time Academy Award-winning writer William Goldman (Best Original Screenplay, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969; Best Adapted Screenplay, All the President’s Men, 1976).

Synopsis: Starring Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables) and Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), this is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earthshattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of – time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed.

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit: Cinescape: www.cinescape.com.kw or Facebook: Cinescape – Kuwait National Cinema Company. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice.

MARGHERITA Now Open at

The Gate Mall, El Egaila, Block 5, Road 104 • Tel.: 2228 1478 Arabella Restaurants Complex, Bidaa Area • Tel.: 2228 1474 info@margherita.com.kw • www.pizzeriamargherita.com Margherita Pizzeria Kuwait • Margheritakw • margheritapizzeriakw

presents

A VISIT FROM THE

GIGGLING GOURMET

by bazaar staff

When Jenny Morris was in elementary school, she came up with a fundraising project that would become the most popular drive in the school: lunches for teachers. The gourmet sandwiches and special meals were ordered in advance, no one wanted to miss out. At just seven-years-old, both her entrepreneurial spirit and talents in the kitchen had already begun to bud.

Years later, she cooked dinners for well-known foreign dignitaries like Prince Charles, Former Vice President Al Gore and even actors like Charlize Theron. She created the brand Giggling Gourmet, and became the first South African to host her own show on Food Network. Nonetheless, despite a hectic schedule filled with classes in her own cooking school, cooking tours, recipe development, appearances, and radio and television shows Morris remains true to her name, with a constant smile on her face. “I’m a very happy person, I’m a very positive person. I don’t think I’ve ever walked around with a long face, except when my mother died, and that wasn’t for very long because she was a happy person. I had to change my name and everyone said ‘you are such a happy person’, so I said ‘OK I’ll be the Giggling Gourmet’,” she told bazaar in an exclusive interview. Morris’s positive attitude helped her rise in an industry dominated by men, to her father’s dismay. Though he always encouraged her to experiment in the kitchen and discover her talent, he did not want to her to join “a man’s world” and would not have her “sweat over pots with big burly men in the kitchen.” Determined to gain the resources needed to learn the culinary arts on her own, Morris secured a position as a telephone electrician, much to her father’s chagrin. Though she loved laying down telephone lines and erecting telecom poles from the ground up, her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food did not subside. With seven of her female coworkers, Morris started a Friday picnic that their male coworkers paid to be a part of. Eventually Morris joined a hotel management-

training program that forced her to experience all the different departments, including the kitchen. She was able to turn the hotel’s restaurant around and was given the opportunity to prepare a daily buffet from Monday to Friday with different cuisines. “The place was jumping with people,” she said. “It had over taken the other restaurants. That’s how the bug hit me and the rest is history.” With the incredible support of her husband, who in their 33 years of marriage has not spent a day away from her, they opened the Cook’s Playground in historic Cape Town. The surrounding original cobblestone streets and cottages take students back in history when many trade routes once stopped in the city. Today, its luscious gardens provide Morris with the secret to her delicious cooking: ingredients so fresh you had to pick them specifically for the recipe. “We grew all the food we ate,” she said. “We plucked and picked our meal for the night. My father would say ‘let’s go and pick a sandwich.’ We would go into the garden, and get some lettuce and little baby cucumbers. Then he would say ‘now smell the tomatoes, which one do you want?’ It was an incredible experience growing up with food with my parents.” It is that love for fresh, healthy ingredients that drew her to Moroccan cuisine. She had hosted numerous travel groups to the North African country through the years. When producers at the Food Network asked her what country she wanted to film in first, there was no question that the colorful, romantic and tasty country that is Morocco was her destination of choice. The adventure was painful at times, with more than 20 bee stings on her feet during one shoot, and a donkey kick in another. Yet,

in most of the season Jenny was amazed by their incredible culinary talents, even without the most basic of kitchen gadgets, such as a stove. She learned about traditional dishes in Morocco, and taught the locals a few new things like couscous bread and a sweet made from the popular wheat. She showed them how to temper spices (cook them in oil before adding them to the dish for more flavor and to release the nutrients). Her main concern was to not change traditional dishes that may have been enjoyed for centuries in the country, but to bring out the incredible tastes in new and delicious ways. For us foodies in Kuwait, we can look forward to the beginning of March when Jenny Morris will regale us with her tips and tricks for delicious meals at the Q8 Food Festival. Though any attendee of the festival will be able to watch the show, VIP ticket holders will be seated up front and center during the shows. Afterwards, you can meet Morris and other world-renowned chefs in a private meet and greet, and book signing receptions. In addition, VIP ticket holders will have special parking, and their own entrance. Throughout the day they can relax in the Symphony Style Hotel VIP Lounge and the ABK hospitality suites. The ticket includes five food and beverage vouchers to be used at any festival restaurant. To purchase your VIP ticket to the Q8 Food Festival, visit www.q8foodfestival.com or you can email info@q8foodfestival.com. For more information on Jenny Morris please go to www.jennymorris.co.za or www.gigglinggourmet.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter @JennyMorrisChef 69

WORLDWIDE SMILES Sports, music and laughter by bazaar staff

In September 2014, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was awarded the status of Global Humanitarian Leader by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the U.S. The Amir’s repeated acts of generosity teach an important lesson about how giving to the less fortunate can be beneficial for all those involved, no matter their life experience or how much they are able to give. Year 6 Kuwait English School (KES) students have been supporting a non-profit organization in Lilongwe, Malawi for almost a year. The Chingalire Rural Growth Center (CRGC) was officially opened in 2010 and is headed by much-loved Ben Mankhamba, nationally-renowned actor and musician. Chief of Chingalire village, Mankhamba’s mission is to avail a platform for young people to build confidence and enjoy their childhood through community engagement, exposure to the arts and provision of educational facilities. As a musician, Mankhamba infuses his songs with references to life in Malawi and how the standard of living can be improved for the youth. He strongly believes that by creating opportunities, a legacy of educated and empowered individuals will result. Help the Children of Today is one such song – with lyrics below – that explains the needs of a child and how simple they are to meet. Most importantly, Mankhamba asks people to develop a caring mind-set and understand that while some people’s lives are “sweet”, there are people facing all sorts of challenges in the world. Why do you say that life is so sweet, When many children are suffering? Why do you say that kids are beautiful? When 24/7 they’re suffering? Maybe you don’t know the other side of life, You have to go out there and see it for yourself. What it means to be an orphan, It’s not just what you watch on your TV sets, It’s not just what you hear from your radios, It’s not just what you read on the internet, There is more truth behind. Help the children of today, For a brighter tomorrow, For a brighter future, Give the children what they need. They’ve got no mama, They’ve got no papa, No one to give them love, No food and clothes, No place to sleep, No one to give them home. Give them joy, Give them love, Give them hope. 70

He also reminds listeners that media coverage of African people’s lives does not always reveal the full truth about their situation. “People out there should know that there is both sad and happy life amongst children,” states Mankhamba. Often, the prospect of hope is overlooked and this prevents investors from supporting worthy charities and organizations. Essentially, this vicious cycle results in a loss of confidence on the part of everyone involved.

On Thursday 11 December 2014, close to 180 KES students took part in a fun run around Salwa Park. Some students ran over 11km and a total of KD 2000 was raised, which – added to the KD 990 contributed during the past year – will be used to fund the construction of two new toilets for the children, as well as schooling necessities such as chalk boards, exercise books, pens and pencils. To encourage team-building as well as indoor and outdoor leisure [continued...]

ORCHID MEDICAL

[...continued] activities, some of the money has also been invested in sports equipment and chessboards. The CRGC also has plans to install solar power to introduce Internet and encourage a sustainability mindset. In order to meet the students’ specific needs, the decision about where the money would be invested was discussed by Mankhamba with the Chingalire youth. In this way, KES students are able to enjoy raising money whilst respecting the 72

independence and self-governance necessary for the appropriate use of funds. Mankhamba said, “Chingalire Rural Growth Center is doing much better than some big well-established and funded organizations because it is directly operating within its own community.” Although the impact of this fundraising event on the CRGC is enormous, the privileged students on the giving end can learn the importance of sharing resources and the organic nature of

horizontal or ‘person-to-person’ fundraising. Although the students have participated in two annual charity runs for the CRGC, they hope to raise money through a musical medium next year. Some students have suggested a drumming fundraiser in years to come, reinforcing the parallels between KES students and their young Chingalire counterparts. Perhaps this could highlight their mutual ambitions of a decent education and the chance of a successful and happy future.

YARIS

YEAR IN REVIEW by Patrick Makhoul

2014 was a year that seemed to be filled with a lot of controversy, negativity and skepticism. A constant issue with games seemed to be that developers were releasing buggy games that required mandatory updates a day or two after their release and at least 7 games were delayed until 2015. But like any other year, with all the negativity there was also positivity. It was the second year that the new Xbox and Playstation consoles were out and the third for the Wii U. Sony continued to outpace both Nintendo and Microsoft in sales, but both Nintendo and Microsoft succeeded in doing well for themselves by releasing some memorable titles for their consoles. The company that disappointed the most this year must have been Ubisoft. Watch Dogs, Assassins’ Creed Unity, The Crew were all highly anticipated and they all received a lukewarm reception. When Watch Dogs was announced at E3, Ubisoft showed gameplay footage that wowed the audience, but when the game was finally released the graphics were downgraded and the gameplay was repetitive while the storyline was dull and filled with clichés. Assassins Creed Unity was another Ubisoft game that people expected a lot from but red flags started to go up when Ubisoft didn’t allow reviews to be published early. When Assassins Creed Unity was finally released, people found out why. The game had a lot of bugs and surprisingly, micro-transactions. Micro-transactions can be okay in a free game you download on your smartphone, but priced at USD 60, it was pretty shocking. It seemed Ubisoft had lost touch with its customer base. But it wasn’t all bad for Ubisoft this year, Valiant Hearts was a brilliant puzzle adventure game that featured a great story, beautiful visuals and music. Far Cry 4 has also been receiving a lot of positive reviews from fans and critics alike. The game features a huge gorgeous world to explore, a variety in ways to complete combat situations and a fun online component. The game that was the biggest disappointment of the year is definitely Bungie’s Destiny. A game that made many promises and barely fulfilled any. It was too ambitious. The game’s narrative was messy, confusing and incoherent. There were some questionable design choices made. For instance, they made it so that you couldn’t view any of the lore you discovered while playing in the game. The only way to read all the information you unlocked was by logging into their website on a computer. Their website also reveals more information on the three different races in the game, something that would have been useful to have while selecting which race you would want to play with. Narrative aside, the game lacked quality content and variety. It was an online game, but communicating with other players was a pain. The environments were 74

empty, boring and there wasn’t any reason to explore. All of this is a shame because the core gameplay elements were pretty solid, gunplay felt good and the visual design was topnotch. But after spending a handful of hours doing the same thing over and over again, it got boring pretty fast. The game was simply too shallow. Nintendo did pretty well for itself in terms of bouncing back from a disappointing 2013 for its Wii U console. They focused on releasing multiple highly polished titles and increasing the public’s interest in the Wii U by releasing multiple videos online throughout the year showcasing their upcoming games and projects. It all started at E3 2014 where Nintendo out-did Sony and Microsoft with its presentation that focused on revealing new games like Splatoon and the highly anticipated Zelda game for the Wii U. Its two biggest successes in 2014 were in no doubt Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. The best action game was also released on the Wii U with Platinum Games Bayonetta 2, its main component being fast paced, intense and crazy combat set-pieces. In a year where buggy games seemed to be the norm, it was nice to see Nintendo pushing out incredibly

polished titles. We weren’t short in terms of quality games in 2014, there were a couple of standout hits. My favorite first person shooter was Wolfenstein New Order. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it did everything right and focused on creating a tight and fun single player experience that is hard to find in any other game in the same genre. Sunset Overdrive was another great game that took a genre that had been growing stale and injected new life into it. It’s a thirdperson open world game where you can navigate the environment by wall-running, using zip-lines or grinding rails while shooting up mutants that have taken over your city. If you’re looking for something epic and expansive then Dragon Age Inquisition is a game that delivers on nearly all fronts. The game features huge environments to explore, an interesting cast of characters and a ton of content. Even with all the negativity that surrounded parts of the gaming world in 2014 we got some memorable games. This coming year is shaping up to be even better with games like Batman: Arkham Knight, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Division and the new Zelda coming out at some point which should keep most of us happy and busy throughout 2015.

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inside/out

ZANJEBAR by bazaar staff

When the boys who would go on to start Zanjebar first played together in 2013, they had no idea how fortuitous their jam session would become. Originally starting at a battle of the bands competition at The American University of Kuwait, the band has their roots steeped in the power of the live performance. To this day, that interaction with the audience and energy that gets transmitted back and forth remains one of their most prized possessions. The lineup of the band features Taymour on lead vocals and guitar, Fadi on bass and keyboards, and Hadi on drums. Exploring different genres and musical regions of the world with each new tune is Zanjebar’s goal. We sit down with them for this month’s inside/ out to see what excites them about making music. How did you first get into music? We all got into music at a very young age; some of us were even born with it. Fadi and Hadi have a family of musicians and have grown up with them singing and playing their instruments even before they could walk and talk. As for Taymour, he first picked up the guitar at the age of 13 and had an endless drive to make Rock and Roll with it. How long have you been playing? Taymour has been playing guitar for 8 years now and has been working on vocals for 3 years. As for 76

THE BAND DOES GOOD

the twins Hadi and Fadi, they have grown up with their dad passing down the torch to them, teaching them everything he knows. The interesting thing is we recently found out our fathers were working together producing music back in 1994 when we were just born. It’s pretty cool now that we are together aiming to start a legacy. Our fathers are both surprised that their kids are working together now after they have been long separated. What/Who inspires your art and why? The inspiration is pretty much the fuel of this band, and 99% of it comes from people who enjoy the music we play. We could have had the worst day of our lives and be in the most horrible mood and once we go out and play a show and just watch the audience react all pumped up and into it, it just turns everything around. As for our inspirations musically, it’s a pretty hard job to narrow it down, and it also limits the group’s potential. We try to take the finest bits of any kind of music as inspiration to grow ourselves. But in the end, that one bit of drive that keeps us going is from the pirate that exists within a Rock and Roller, the lust for Freedom. That’s what Rock and Roll is all about isn’t it? How did you get into your style of music specifically? Giving our style a label has been something

pretty complicated for us to do, because ever since we have been friends we would sit around and harmonize to some Jason Mraz and pretty much never limit ourselves to the genres we would cover at our live sets. We have gone from playing soft and friendly songs like “I’m Yours,” to heavier Rock and Roll like Led Zeppelin and even some more modern types of Rock like Imagine Dragons, and we have even gone far enough to throw in some Rap verses here and there. But after covering music and discovering our own sound for the past year, Zanjebar’s sound has grown to become Hard Rock: heavy party music, more like something people could rave to. I guess it’s just that we enjoy many forms of music and can’t really choose one to limit ourselves to, but if it really has to come down to the heart of this band, it would most probably be pure Rock and Roll. Tell us about any recordings you have done/plan to do? Since this summer we have been working on an EP, a 5-track album, with two originals and three covers. We sat down all summer and produced it ourselves, we got a good artist who’s part of the band right now and he has done the sick artwork. And copies are available for anyone; we tend to give them out for free at our shows as [continued...]

[...continued] well. The CD has two originals written by Taymour called “Tequila” and “Junkies blues”, and there are a couple of cover songs, like “Radioactive” and “No Quarter”. Two nice tracks from today and from way back, and we also threw a little bonus in there just for the heck of it, a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Milk Cow Blues.” A nice 50’s Rock and Roll jam we had one day. Overall the album’s aim was to get our sound out there, show everyone what we’re capable of, a bridge of music from the start to the current position of the band. And to just throw it out there, we love it! And it’s something everyone should definitely check out. In your opinion, what was the hardest challenge you faced in your artistic career so far? Well to be honest, the hardest challenge is to flourish in this country as a band. Having “a band” is still something that isn’t completely accepted here in Kuwait. The whole Western music industry doesn’t exist here; the industry here is much calmer, it’s not thriving or boosting up internationally. Opportunities are pretty rare here. So aiming to stay here and grow as a band is kind of a bad decision. But at the end of the day, it’s all the musicians’ responsibility here to be the pillars of the music scene in Kuwait. We have to all work together as listeners and musicians to make this grow here. And that’s a challenge we are working on right now, growing this for everyone. How have people in Kuwait reacted to your music? Great! We have had countless shows around Kuwait and our audiences have been the younger age groups of Kuwait, teenagers and 20’s. And the one thing that boosts our energy on stage is the reaction of the audience when they all start screaming out the lyrics of a song or jumping around. It just gets us even more hyped up and we end up doing the same and going crazy on stage. It’s a cycle; it’s just a pretty awesome atmosphere. We go ahead and interact with the audience a lot, between every song there’s some chanting and screaming going on, we keep encouraging the audience to scream at the top of their lungs and they’re more than willing to do so – it’s a pretty amazing feeling. Is there a prevailing message you are trying to communicate with your music? Definitely, our songs are pretty dark for the audience here in Kuwait. The stories and messages that they give are pretty much taboo here. But the purpose of them is to expose a different perspective. We’ll leave the messages that these songs send to the listeners. Some might understand and relate, some wont, but the music we try to write always inspires a person to feel freedom. What is your dream for your music/what would you like to accomplish in the future? We aim to have the world hear us. To travel the world and sing and play to it, and have the world rock and scream back to us. We aim to do this for a lifetime. Yea, that’s right, we’re going big! It’s a long way to the top, and y’all can meet us there tomorrow! Reach out to Zanjebar on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram: @officialzanjebar. Inside/Out is a bazaarite’s road into music. 77

PARTY LAND

Where the party never stops by bazaar staff

It’s that time of year again folks! Party season has officially started and you need not worry, Party Land is bringing you a brand new showroom to ensure you get into the festive season. From birthdays to costume parties, Party Land has got you covered. With the world ringing in the New Year, decorations are in high demand. Party Land is prepared to help you celebrate with whatever theme you crave. Balloons of every shape, color, and size are made available as well as streamers, hats, and all the noisemakers you can possibly imagine. Your wish is Party Land’s command; they have everything you need to throw that stellar party you’ve always wanted. Bringing joy to Kuwait since 2001, Party Land continues to provide all props necessary for any joyous event. New Year’s kits are prepped and ready for you, piñatas are stuffed to the max, and costumes are fully stocked for any fancy dress party you might need to throw or attend. They even have baby shower decorations in the mix. If you feel lost or overwhelmed, you need not panic. Party Land’s experienced and extremely creative staff will help you out with anything you need. 78

They even have 3D balloons of your children’s favorite characters! The Symphony Mall showroom proved to be a huge success with people seeking out new and fun ways when it comes to parties. Seeing that, Party Land decided to take it to the next level. By creating a two-storey showroom with the area double in size to that in Symphony Mall, they’re providing more entertaining ideas for any given event. Their staff is well versed in all things creative and will give you all the help you’d need to throw the perfect party! Investing in the best balloon two color-printing machine in Kuwait to print anything from messages, logos, and even photos straight to the balloons you might need in any quantity you require. Party Land is the largest retail party supply store in Kuwait. It caters to your every party need, from a baby shower, birthday party to adult events and dinner parties. The widest product selections are available including costumes, party themed supplies, giftwrapping items and a huge inventory of balloons. No party is ever complete without balloon decorations, and Party Land is equipped

with state-of-the-art equipment to print any design, or even logo, for your event or party. You can customize a message to a loved one, or jazz up a corporate event with customized balloon designs. We find out more about the ultimate party supplier company in this special interview. So, the next time you’re stuck when deciding on the theme of your next gathering or dinner party, simply head on over to the brand new Party Land in Al-Rai, fully equipped with everything you need. Expect to see supplies organized by themes. So, if you fancy a celebrity or Hollywood night filled with glitz and glamour, you can stock up on fun Hollywood-themed decorations from golden streamers to Oscar replicas to decorate your entertaining space. A masquerade night can be arranged swiftly with a collection of beautiful Venetian masks on display, and a fun retro night is possible with funky fluorescent afro wigs! Visit the brand new Party Land today in Al-Rai, next to The Avenues. Call them at 18-PARTY (72789) or follow them on Instagram @Partyland_kuwait and Twitter @Partylandkwt for more information.

JAMAWAR

bazaar fitness

2015 IS THE YEAR FOR STRENGTH by Mike Campbell

I have a feeling 2015 is going to be nothing but a fantastic year. I’ve never been one to set New Year’s resolutions, simply because I am setting goals all year-round, however for many people it’s a chance to improve on the year before, in whatever aspects of their life they wish to focus on. There is a saying in the fitness world that’s self-explanatory – “Strength is never a weakness.” If you need a fitness focus for 2015 then look no further than simply getting stronger than you were in 2014, and with that in mind, let’s take a more in-depth view of possibly the best strength training system in the world. The Westside Barbell Conjugate method is, I believe to be, perhaps the single best system designed to get people really strong. It quickly allows the individual to achieve their ultimate strength potential. The program was designed by Louis (Louie) Simmons. Louie is an American power lifter and strength coach. He is renowned for owning a private powerlifting gym, Westside Barbell, and developing the ‘Westside Barbell’ method of training, applying it to powerlifting and other sports, and inventing several pieces of strength-training equipment. Westside Barbell is a private “Invitation Only” Elite training facility in Ohio, USA. Louie has been a top 10 lifter for 30 years and for the last 37 years, he has totaled Elite in various powerlifting organizations. According to the Westside Barbell website, he is one of only two lifters over 50 years of age to squat 920 pounds, bench 600 pounds, deadlift 722 pounds and total 2100 pounds, and was ranked 4th nationally (USA) in 2000 in the open. So how does this method work and what does it involve? The loading of special exercises is designed to simultaneously increase strength and speed every week. Two ‘Max Effort’ or (ME) sessions a week – one each for the upper and lower body – require training with maximally heavy weights on the special exercises. Two ‘Dynamic Effort’ (DE) sessions a week – again, one each for upper and lower body – call for training with sub-maximal weights but accelerating as much as possible in the upward portion of the lift. By alternating ME and DE sessions, the conjugate sequence system is meant to surpass the limitations of traditional Western periodization in strength training, in which only one quality (e.g. hypertrophy, speed, or strength) is developed in a given week. One of the coolest things about Louie’s system is that there is actually a lot of variation in the exercises that are used to assist in the three main lifts or competition lifts (bench press, back squat and the deadlift). These accessory exercises provide some 80

serious variety and fun, the latter of which is always a must in a dedicated training program. Special barbell exercises are used to target weaknesses in these competition lifts. Upper and lower-body special exercises are rotated frequently (at least every 3 weeks) on the principle that training the same special exercise for too long will be counterproductive. The training system emphasizes the variety of special exercises. Different lifts can be performed, for example, the ‘good-morning’ instead of the ‘squat’. Competition lifts can be altered by increasing or decreasing the range of motion: e.g., squatting to a low or high box; performing partial range-of-motion bench presses, using wooden boards to shorten the stroke; or deadlifting from blocks or pins in a power cage. The conventional barbell can be replaced with specialty bars such as a cambered bar, thick grip bars, Dr. Toms bars, safety squat bar, or Swiss bar. Check if your facility has these. In the 1990s, Simmons introduced the use of chains and resistance bands to strength training. The use of bands or chains modifies the strength curve, making the lift more difficult toward lockout. This is achieved through the stretching of the bands or the loading of the chain links from the floor onto the bar, increasing the resistance as the movement progresses toward completion.

Everyone who trains likes to have the option of picking and mixing-up exercises as it allows for further education, more fun, less boredom and better results. Often training on a new piece of equipment is enough to create a positive mental and physical change. I have noticed it also allows our members to feel more confident in a gym, even when they are traveling. Like all programs, they are often only as good as the coach designing them and a beginner, intermediate or advanced gym-goer would experience different versions of this program, in my opinion. So who is this best suited for? I would say, anyone – as long as the program is delivered under an experienced coaching eye. It’s an excellent system to promote strength without necessarily getting bigger. So, ladies who want to stay at a certain weight are safe with this program, also Crossfitters looking to improve your strength: this could be for you. Just want to feel better, move better and carry those suitcases or children with confidence and ease? Then the Westside Barbell method is worth trying out in 2015. Mike Campbell is the GM and Co Founder of Inspire Pure Fitness and Inspire 2.0 at Sahara. Email info@inspirekw.com or nooriya@inspirekw.com, or you can visit them at www.inspirekw.com.

FANTASY WORLD

HOW TO GROW HORIZONTALLY by Ayman Nassar

At the turn of the 21st century, the working class all over the world were fed a false notion that the only way to have a career was to stick to one company and climb the proverbial corporate ladder to the upper echelons of your targeted field. Companies began offering careers instead of jobs in an effort to ensnare employees into remaining in the fold, promising that as they grew, so would their staff. Which is true, to an extent, however, much like adding salt as a catalyst to boiling water makes it boil faster, so too can there be a catalyst for your professional progression. And that catalyst is; changing jobs. A horizontal progression as opposed to a vertical ascent early on in your career. Anyone born like me in the beginning of the age of enlightenment (i.e. the birth of the Internet) will notice that we all have one thing in common; our parents have stable jobs in that they have worked for the same company/organization throughout your entire life. A noble approach, as it leads to the creation of a good retirement fund fed by the years spent at work. If you ask them they will say to you that sticking with the same company is the best way to grow. What they will not tell you however, is 82

that it is not the only way to grow. Some companies offer annual performance evaluations with steady career growth, however that is not always the case as you could find yourself cemented in place having hardly moved an inch whilst others are getting hired at higher positions than you with less experience. At the beginning of the 20th century, a brilliant psychologist named Abraham Maslow was born, who would go on to create Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a pyramid of the employees’ requirements starting from the most basic – being physiological (guaranteed food and shelter) and safety (stability of employment) to the highest needs of selfactualization and self-esteem. In a nutshell, what Maslow meant was that it was not enough to simply provide employees with careers, they had to feel in sync with their organizations, there had to exist a buy-in of the employees to the company’s ideologies. However, sadly this is not the case. As different as you are from your neighbor, so too are businesses different from each other. Some offer lucrative salaries with long working hours. Some offer mediocre salaries with long working hours. Some offer perks such as parking spots, bonuses, annual trips, medical insurance,

company discounts etc. Some promise a career and fail to deliver! Your challenge is to find the company that offers you the balance you require to achieve your hierarchy of needs. Make no mistake, vertical growth is the holy grail of growths, it is what everyone strives to achieve in the long run. However, for short term gains, horizontal growth is equally rewarding. You might find yourself jumping ship to an organization with less working hours and more pay. Most people refuse such opportunities, insisting that one must do their time in the trenches in order to pay their dues. Horizontal growth offers short to medium range satisfaction; the goal of course is to land in a company where all of your needs are met, where you can then proceed to climb the corporate ladder. You will not find this magical wonderland if you subscribe to the belief of one life, one job and that the grass will be greener on the upper level. It is referred to as job hoping, however I see it more as selective sampling. In the buffet of business you try out all the food that is available, and if your stomach has not burst yet, you go to the dish that tickled your tastebuds the most, and you ask for seconds.

REEBOK

KUWAIT UNVEILED

The man behind the camera of ‘Kuwait in a 1000 Words’ by bazaar staff

Timothy Carr stood in the back of the events room and watched Batool, a young Indian cancer survivor, give advice to a room full of 50 women fighting the same battle. The abaya-clad audience was completely entranced by every word she said, as she empowered them to face the tough roads ahead. After the talk, he sat with her a bit to talk about her path. Days later her photo was on Tim’s Facebook page, Kuwait in a 1000 Words, with this quote: “The thing you need to know about fighting cancer is that as long as you believe you can do it, there will be a day that it will go away. You have to visualize that day, every day of your life. Motivate yourself to get there. Do that and it WILL happen.” The page was started to showcase people like Batool and others in Kuwait, to the world. Tim finds interesting characters when he’s at work, during events or even when he’s just walking down the street. The idea came to him when he went home 84

to the United States and realized that despite the rise in globalization, many of his friends still believed the Hollywood image of Arabs living in tents and riding camels. Despite his work in video production for many big names in the Kuwait urban music culture, the image persisted. “I figured, I kept running into all these cool people...” he told bazaar. “So I said, screw this I’m going to make a thing that can show everybody I am working with. Then I figured why just show them? Let me show them to everyone. Not just to the people back in the States, but I figured everybody else, GCC or whatever.” The process starts when someone catches Tim’s eye. He’ll approach them and tell them about the project, often times he’s initially rejected and it takes some convincing. One out of ten times people are receptive to the request. Then he’ll throw them off by asking them to tell him something they would never tell

another stranger. Usually they balk at the question, but soon warm up to him and tell him intimate stories he never expected. One young girl told him how she felt regret after her father passed away. “Two days later, my dad died,” said Tim. “I was just like wow. I wasn’t exactly close to my dad, but I thought about what she said and I was like, that makes a lot more sense.” Each of the people Tim talks to touches him in a special way. So, for this feature article we have turned the tables, to give you his perspective on some of the most compelling people he has met so far on this incredible journey to show the world Kuwait in a 1000 words. [See right.] For their full stories and more, you can follow Kuwait in a 1000 Words on Facebook: Kuwaitina1000words. For more of Tim’s work follow his YouTube channel: tjcfilms2011.

On Mahdpik: “You know free runners, the guys who jump buildings? So I knew right away that’s what they were. And I asked them; Are you guys free runners and they asked how do you know, and I said how do you not know? Only you guys dress like that: sneakers, jogging shoes, backpack. Always the same. Even when they are going somewhere nice. They always wear the same outfits.”

On Mohammad: “The Syrian ice cream guy. He was riding 20 km a day back and forth and sitting out there in the hot sun in Khiran. They pay rent on the cart, so who knows how much they are making? Sometimes I ask, sometimes I don’t.”

On Krishna: “One day I saw this cleaner guy who was really friendly, and I was like, I want to hit him up and see what he says. He was open to it. I tend to be easy to talk to I guess. I asked him some questions and he ended up telling me about his family and he was crying and all this stuff. I didn’t want to exploit him, so i waited until he stopped crying to take the picture, but you could see his eyes were red.”

On Parwindar: “I have these typical fashionista people, but then I have the garbage man, or the fisherman or whatever. So it’s not like i am doing one type of person. I have people complain that I feature too many Kuwaitis. I’ve had people say, you don’t do enough Kuwaitis. There is an old saying in the military: Leadership not likership. You are not going to make everyone happy.”

On Assam: “I just wanted to go watch them making the net. So I went and watched them make the net, then I went and got my camera. So the guy’s English was minimal, and I’m still learning Arabic. So it was the most difficult interview I have had. For like such a short answer, but finally we started communicating OK.”

On Batul: “She’s probably the most interesting. Not just because she survived cancer. Not only did she do that, but now she is reaching out and doing programs and helping. So even though she is this little tiny pretty Indian lady, she’s teaching rich affluent Kuwaitis on how to deal with cancer. They are listening to everything she says.” 85

‫هواية إقتناء السيارات القديمة‬ ‫‪by Strawberry girl‬‬

‫بالرغم من كونها هواية باهظة‪ ،‬فإن هواية اقتناء‬ ‫وتجميع السيارات القديمة والتاريخية أصبحت منتشرة في‬ ‫الكويت‪ ،‬ويوجد العشرات من هؤالء الهواة‪ .‬ناصر الطريجي‬ ‫أحد هؤالء الهواة وهو يقتني ‪ 15‬سيارة قديمة من طرازات‬ ‫وأنواع مختلفة‪ .‬وهو أيضا رئيس فريق السيارات القديمة‬ ‫(‪ ،)Old Cars Team‬والذي أسسه والده ويضم اآلن أكثر من‬ ‫‪ 330‬عضوا‪.‬‬ ‫يقول ناصر أن هذه الهواية تتطلب الكثير من الجهد‬ ‫والمال لإلعتناء بهذا العدد الكبير من السيارات‪ .‬لقد بدأ هوايته‬ ‫في العام ‪ 2001‬عندما أهداه والده (والذي أيضا كان يهوى‬ ‫اقتناء السيارات القديمة) أول سيارة شيفروليه ‪ ،1954‬ومن‬ ‫بعدها بدأ باقتناء المزيد من السيارات‪ .‬وهو يحتفظ بهذه‬ ‫السيارات في أماكن مختلفة بما فيها منزله‪ ،‬واستئجار مساحة‬ ‫في مواقف السيارات العامة‪ ،‬وحتى عند بعض أصدقائه‪.‬‬ ‫جمع هذه السيارات هو عشق بالنسبة له‪ .‬وعلق ناصر‬ ‫قائال‪« :‬أنا أعتبر هذه السيارات كـأفراد عائلتي وأقضي‬ ‫أغلب وقتي في اإلعتناء بها‪ .‬وبالرغم من كون تخزين هذه‬ ‫السيارات يعتبر عائقا نوعا ما إال أنني لم أفكر قط في بيع‬ ‫أي منها‪ .‬أنا دائما أبحث عن المزيد من السيارات إلقتنائها‪،‬‬ ‫حتى أنني أطمح في أن أقتني مجموعة من جميع موديالت‬ ‫نوع معين من السيارات‪ .‬إقتناء السيارات عشق وليس‬

‫تجارة بالنسبة لي‪ ،‬وأغلب هواة جمع السيارات مثلي إال أن‬ ‫هناك البعض ممن يشترون السيارات القديمة لبيعها الحقا‬ ‫وتحقيق ربح من ذلك»‪.‬‬ ‫لقد اشتكى ناصر من مشاكل كثيرة يواجهها أصحاب‬ ‫السيارات القديمة وأضاف «إن السيارات القديمة في جميع‬ ‫دول العالم لديها رخص خاصة تصدر طبقا للفحص الفني‬ ‫الخاص بها والذي ال تنطبق عليه شروط فحص السيارات‬ ‫الحديثة‪ ،‬إال أن ذلك غير مطبق في الكويت‪ .‬مثال أغلب‬ ‫السيارات المصنوعة في الخمسينيات وقبل ذلك لم يكن‬ ‫بها حزام األمان‪ ،‬فكيف أضيفه لها؟ أيضا أغلب السيارات‬ ‫لم يكن بها إال مرآة واحدة من الجهة اليسرى وهي جهة‬ ‫السائق‪ ،‬ولم تضف المرآة األخرى إال الحقا»‪.‬‬ ‫ومن المشاكل األخرى التي يواجهها هواة جمع السيارات‬ ‫القديمة هي في استيرادها‪ .‬ويشرح ناصر أن القانون‬ ‫يسمح بإستيراد سيارة واحدة فقط للشخص خالل سنتين‪.‬‬ ‫كما أن هناك تحديد على سنوات الصنع إلستيراد السيارات‪،‬‬ ‫حيث يمكن استيراد السيارات من سنة الصنع ‪ 1974‬وقبل‪،‬‬ ‫لكن يحظر إستيراد السيارات بين سنوات ‪.2010 – 1975‬‬ ‫أغلبنا ال يعرف عن الكثير من المزايا والوظائف التي‬ ‫كانت متوفرة في السيارات القديمة والتي ظهر بعضها‬ ‫في السيارات الحديثة‪ .‬فمثال السنسر الذي يصدر تنبيها‬

‫عند إيقاف السيارة أو ينبه على وجود خلل كان موجودا‬ ‫في بعض السيارات األمريكية في الخمسينات‪ .‬وأيضا زر‬ ‫التشغيل بدون استخدام المفتاح والذي أصبح متوفر متأخرا‬ ‫في أحدث السيارات كان أيضا متوفر في بعض المركبات‬ ‫قبل ‪ 50‬عاما‪ .‬كذلك بعض السيارات القديمة كان بها‬ ‫وظائف غير متوفرة في السيارات الحديثة مثل التحكم‬ ‫باإلضاءة والراديو من خالل دواسة القدم ألمان السائق‪.‬‬ ‫أيضا كانت السيارات القديمة أكثر متانة من الحديث حيث‬ ‫كان تصنع من الحديد ولم تكن تتلف في الحوادث بسهولة‪.‬‬ ‫إن السيارات القديمة في مجموعة ناصر ليست للعرض‬ ‫فقط بل إنها تعمل على أفضل وجه وهو يقودها‪ .‬و أقدم‬ ‫سيارة في مجموعته هي من نوع فورد كالس إيه (‪Ford‬‬ ‫‪ )Class A‬من سنة ‪ .1937‬فريق ‪ Old Cars Team‬يتجمع‬ ‫كل يوم سبت خالل فصل الشتاء حيث أن قيادة هذه‬ ‫السيارات في فصل الصيف القاسي صعب جدا حيث أن‬ ‫السيارات األوربية لم تكن مجهزة للجو الحار حتى أنه لم‬ ‫يكن بها راديتر‪ .‬ليست هناك شروط خاصة للعضوية غير‬ ‫اإللتزام بالقيادة اآلمنة‪.‬‬ ‫يمكن التواصل مع الفريق ومعرفة فعالياته على حسابهم‬ ‫في اإلنستغرام ‪q8oldcar_team@ :‬‬ ‫‪86‬‬

SHABESTAN

bazaar music “Music can change the world because it can change people.” ~ Bono

WALLFLOWER

TITLE

PrRHYME

by Diana Krall

by Meghan Trainor

by PrRHYME (DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’ 9)

Wallflower includes Krall’s own reinterpretations of songs that have inspired her since the late 1960s in the first new studio recording from the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer since Glad Rag Doll in October 2012. The new album includes songs such as the the Eagles’ “Desperado”, Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”, Bob Dylan’s “Wallflower” and a previously unreleased new composition by Paul McCartney, “If I Take You Home Tonight”, all interpreted in her unique style which has seen her become the biggest selling female jazz album artist of the past 30 years.

Title is the third studio album by American singer Meghan Trainor, to be released on January 13, 2015. “All About That Bass” was released as the lead single and topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts in several countries. In an interview with Idolator, Trainor said she doesn’t want to be a one-hit wonder. “The big point we’re trying to get across is that [I’m] so diverse, and [I’m] an artist. “She’s not a one hit wonder!” It’s doing so well, but it’s almost scary. Like, “Can she follow it?” I think my other songs are better… They’re all anthem-y. Lyrically, there’s nothing like you’ve ever heard, which is very cool.

Individually, DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’ 9 have long been established in hip hop culture. PRhyme is the first full-length record from the duo and is comprised of nine tracks featuring the likes of today’s most prolific artists in the industry, including Common, Jay Electronica, Ab-Soul, and Dwele. Sprinkled with classic hip hop elements, the album is refreshingly contemporary, featuring vivid cuts and scratched hooks that have long been DJ Premier’s calling card. Composed of samples courtesy of psychedelic soul composer and producer Adrian Younge (Jay Z), the record stands apart, sounding like nothing else in the hip hop market today.

WANTED ON VOYAGE by George Ezra

by Take That

III

SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT

Wanted on Voyage, the anticipated debut album from breakout UK singer/songwriter and guitarist George Ezra, will officially be released on January 27th, 2015. Talking about the album, The Daily Telegraph states “Playing guitar, bass and keyboards, Ezra delivers structurally simple songs with enormous gusto, suggesting an uncynical, joyous release in the very act of making music. Ezra’s fluid vocals shift up the register to a trembling falsetto, adding a contemporary sensitivity to a musical cocktail that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in a Greenwich folk club in the Sixties. From the giddy skiffle of “Cassy O’” to the sweet strum of “Barcelona” and rocky grit of “Did You Hear the Rain?” Ezra’s debut has charm to spare.”

III is the seventh studio album by British pop band Take That. It is the band’s first studio album in four years and the first to feature the band as a trio, following the departures of Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. According to Gary Barlow, the album’s sound is an “amalgamation of the past eight years” of Take That material. The album debuted at number one in the UK. Owen said of the album, “It was quite downbeat, and we needed to change it to bring more energy to it. Then around May the three of us locked ourselves down for two or three weeks and started to play with sounds and for me that’s when we started for real. The energy was more positive. Now it’s one of our most upbeat records.”

Shadows In The Night, releasing February 3, 2015, features ten cover tracks including a cover of Frank Sinatra’s 1945 hit “Full Moon and Empty Arms.” This album is the 36th studio set from Bob Dylan and his first new music since 2012’s worldwide hit Tempest. As Columbia Records Chairman Rob Stringer explains, “Bob has managed to find a way to infuse these songs with new life and contemporary relevance. It is a brilliant record and we are extremely excited to be presenting it to the world very soon.” Bob Dylan’s five previous studio albums have been universally hailed as among the best of his storied career, achieving new levels of commercial success and critical acclaim.

by Bob Dylan

source: www.amazon.com

KITOKO

GROW THE INSIDE BY GOING OUTSIDE by Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. ~Unknown Make a resolution this year to travel in ways that add to your understanding of the world in which we live. The global “We” will be better for it. Every magazine or newspaper you pick up this month will have something to say about New Year’s resolutions. Not necessarily a bad thing – it’s just that realistically, data indicates that only about 8% of us will keep any resolution we make for longer than 30 days. How terrible. That kind of a statistic begs the question, “Why bother?” How about this… I propose that any decisions about change in 2015 actually have a purpose and a goal that makes keeping the resolution easy. A great example is travel. I saw a sign recently that read, “If travel were free, you’d never see me again.” I laughed, but I think it’s actually true. Make a decision now to travel somewhere new in 2015. Plan for it, research your destination, and save for it. Anticipation through planning is half the fun. It doesn’t have to be exotic, just new. If you live in Kuwait and you’ve never visited Oman, or Jordan, or India, or Qatar – pick one and make a plan. Travel doesn’t just offer the opportunity for a holiday, it also offers an education. As Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” Of course, if you travel to a new place but eat at McDonalds or Burger King, and stay in five-star hotels, it makes sense that the opportunity to expand one’s perspective is rather limited. Five-star hotels are the same the world over, even when the décor reflects the country’s culture. There really isn’t much about this kind of travel that would challenge a traveler’s comfort zone. This year, in 2015, add some off-the-beatentrail destinations to your plans. Travel broadens our understanding of others and of ourselves…well, at least it has that potential. In order to understand and be understood, we need to choose exposure to ideas, philosophies, and cultures different than our own. It isn’t possible to know how others see the world unless your visit their world. A visit to Italy, or Mallorca, or India, or Tierra del Fuego is just that. A visit. Nevertheless a visit where we experience, even in a small way, the way others live can have a profound, life-changing effect. This is even more likely to be true if the travel is connected with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. Have you ever thought about volunteering with an NGO that digs wells for villages without water? How about the opportunity to teach English or math to children in Nepal, or Cameroon, or to refugees in any one of the dozens of camps for refugees and displaced persons around the world? Doing something for others can change your life in ways you can’t imagine…unless you do it. Wanting to change our lives is a human propensity. We are in the habit of “turning over a 90

new leaf,” or wishing for a “cosmic do-over.” We naturally want the chance to redo or fix the things of the past that we regret, or that turned out less than perfect. Unfortunately, life generally doesn’t cooperate. We can only try to do better in the future by learning from the mistakes of the past. One of the ways to do that is to broaden our own horizons and understanding. This is especially true of children. Traveling as a family is what I call a ‘twofer.” Not only is there the opportunity to learn, there is the added value of family memories to be cherished in the years to come. Travel is an education all on its own. Sometimes that education is about ourselves – how we handle adversity or setbacks, and sometimes that

education is about our place in the world in relation to others. There’s no downside to travel. As some anonymous person stated, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” I’ve been enriched this year by the opportunity to travel to the UK, Poland, and Europe. Even though each of these visits was short, I learned something about the country, about the culture, and the food. I chose to stay in flats in areas where there are no tourists. I rode the local metro transport. I ran through the city in the early mornings. I have memories that I will share and cherish for the rest of my life. A truly effective resolution changes us from the inside out. Travel allows us to grow emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. This is always a good thing.

SEMSOM

Semsom Kuwait

@SemsomCuisine

@semsomkuwait

NEW YEAR NEW ADVENTURES Rediscover your passion for the deep blue with Manta Dive by bazaar staff

Sometimes, we all need a little something extra to take our love for the sea to a whole new level. Call it a shove, a little nudge, a push, or even a company that helps you explore the best that the deep blue sea has to offer. Imagine a company that delivers diving enthusiasts with the opportunity to go free swimming with sharks or even feeding them in the Bahamas, but also goes above and beyond in providing divers with one of the world’s most advanced training programs, RAID. That is what Captain Alharith Alateeqi, CEO of Manta Dive Kuwait, aims to do. A bonafide seafarer, Captain Alharith knows a thing or two about adventure. His love for the sea extends past his career, as his passion for diving while living in Australia introduced him to RAID International. An internationally recognized SCUBA certification program, RAID International offers divers and diving professionals alike the opportunity to benefit from the state of the art training online to better improve divers’ skills. The education that divers receive is not limited to a one time educational program, or additional programs at more costs. RAID, on the other hand, adheres to encouraging divers to continue their education through an extremely thorough program that knows no short cuts and is considered as the world’s leading dive training program, as it provides divers knowledge and expertise from the industry leaders. Captain Alharith currently leads the RAID office in Kuwait, along with longtime friend Captain Abdulrahman Alghanim as his partner in Qatar. Since their days as marine officers in Perth, Australia their life at sea and love for diving kept growing, and their dedication to the RAID training program stems from their personal experience. Captain Alharith admires how the RAID program provided an increased ability for students to learn any diving course through the RAID website, along with the assistance of RAIDcertified instructors and dive centers, of course. By consistently updating their progress online, the RAID website facilitates the notion that students can study whenever, and wherever they wish. Captain Alharith also told bazaar that the RAID program does not operate based on the notion of quick and speedy certification for divers, a common phenomenon at diving centers nowadays. This way, the actual diver training process is not compromised in any way. He said, “They are actually elevating the standards for the diving industry as a whole. As strict and stringent as this program seems, the flexibility in the training

approach in terms of online progress tracking and online courses, is innovative in and of itself. What RAID brings to divers and diver centers alike is this advantage, and a higher quality of learning that is important to encourage a thriving diving industry in Kuwait and the Middle East.” Upon launching RAID in Kuwait and the Middle East last fall, Captain Alharith took it upon himself and his travel agency, Manta Dive Tours, to embark on a celebratory diving trip in the Red Sea, Egypt with RAID Marketing Director Terry Cummins. Given his experience with Manta Dive Tours, Captain Alharith enjoys organizing unforgettable dives. This travel agency is run by divers, after all, and is geared toward like-minded divers and adventurers looking to experience something different. Because the company works closely with Thai Airways, dives in stunning locations in Asia, and worldwide for that matter, are super easy to organize. Furthermore, we learned from Captain Alharith that the company has partnered up with Stuart Cove Dive in the Bahamas. Not only does Manta Dive Tours wish to better the quality of the diving industry in the Middle East with RAID International, they are also able to make it worth your while by offering divers to experience the trip of a lifetime. If you’re unfamiliar with this iconic diving destination, then let us jog your memory. Remember those incredible underwater scenes from many James Bond films like For Your Eyes Only, Never Say Never Again and The World Is Not Enough? Major directors and producers look to the experts at Stuart Cove, including the man behind this center himself, to make their Hollywood visions come true. Stuart Cove is also the name involved with other awesome film projects like Flipper and Into the Blue, and has been featured for more than 10 years on the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. Located in the pristine waters of the Bahamas’ Nassau, the Stuart Cove Dive Center is one of the world’s premier attractions for water activities. From free swimming with sharks, to an exciting and thrilling opportunity to even feed these mighty creatures, you can take your diving expertise to a whole new level at Stuart Cove. If you don’t believe us, check out the astounding photos of Captain Alharith at Stuart Cove! For more information about Manta Dive Tours, you can check out @MantaDiveTours on Instagram. For more about RAID International, please visit www.diveRaid.com, email Kuwait@DiveRaid-me.com and find them on Instagram @DiveRAID. 93

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The Ultimate Guide to Kuwait

INVISIBOBBLE

bazaar explores KIDZANIA KUWAIT HOSTS A FUN AND ENGAGING WORKSHOP FOR ITS INDUSTRY PARTNERS KidZania Kuwait, the exciting kid-sized metropolis, recently hosted a workshop for its industry partners to give them hands-on experience of the role-play jobs and activities available within KidZania. The event celebrated and thanked KidZania’s industry partners for their continuous support in helping replicate the real world in a kid-centric city, where children can learn while having fun. Through interactive group exercises, the industry partners got to engage in different activities within each establishment to help them see KidZania through a child’s eyes. Fernando Medroa, Vice President of Leisure and Entertainment at M.H. Alshaya Co. said: “Four years ago, when we started construction, this city was just an empty box. Today, it has developed into a premium entertainment destination for children in Kuwait. This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without our industry partners’ expertise, contribution and continuous support in helping KidZania Kuwait move forward.” Since its opening last year, KidZania Kuwait has collaborated with 39 leading international and local brands, which play a pivotal role in adding a sense of realism and credibility to the establishments. They help educate children through experience, in a fun, interactive and safe environment. For more information visit www.kidzania.com.kw or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @KidZaniaKuwait. KREATE 4.0 ART MOVEMENT KREATE 4.0, the art movement, took place on Saturday 13th December and Sunday 14th December, at Bayt Lothan. Kreate is a new movement introduced by Bayt Lothan to support, nurture and promote flourishing local talents and individuals. This year the local artistisans were hand-picked by Bayt Lothan’s creative team, and all the work provided was handcrafted and individual with high quality touches. They had a total of 8 Kreative artists, each producing a unique visual set up and also had a great group of artists from Art Space who took the middle courtyard and creatively unleashed their personal artistic touches on it. Vistors were able to enjoy the artwork on display which they all agreed were of a high calibre. We can’t wait for more! For more information, follow @BaytLothan on Instagram.

ROYALE HAYAT HOSPITAL OPENS THE NEWLY RENOVATED PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT Royale Hayat Hospital marked the opening of the newly renovated Triage Area at the Pediatric Department on December 10, 2014 to provide more space and better facilities to young children facing illnesses. Renovation of the vibrantly decorated space included additional rooms, new triage areas with child-friendly decorations and cheerful drawings to help promote socialization, optimism and hope, increasing confidence among sick children. This expansion was necessary to accommodate more patients and provide the highest levels of comfort with medical facilities available in all rooms to guarantee prompt care. The experienced physicians, doctors and nurses at Royale Hayat Pediatric Department treat all illnesses in children up to age 14. The department has state-of-the art equipment and provides services such as the general checkup of infants, child growth and development, infant hearing test, high-risk infant progress, surgical services, anesthesia, cardiology, dentistry, newborn screening, endocrinology and diabetes, ENT, immunology and allergy. This is in addition to the advanced units such as, the pediatric intensive care unit, emergency and observation unit and inpatient unit. For more information please visit www.royalehayat.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @royalehayat.

TRINKETS INTRODUCES MICHAEL KORS HOLIDAY 2014 JEWELRY COLLECTION The award-winning designer adds his signature style to Trinkets Trinkets is pleased to introduce the Michael Kors Holiday 2014 jewelry collection. The new season features an assortment of delicate, timeless pieces in gold- and silver-tone styles. The collection contains three capsules, each designed to appeal to a different side of the multi-faceted modern-day woman. The Statement group pieces are chic and on-trend – ideal for the fashion-forward. The Maritime group features a standout gold-tone necklace, bracelet and ring in an iconic link design that is perfect for the woman who loves looking glamorous, whether dressing up for cocktail parties or stepping out for the day. The Turnlock group features a silver-tone bracelet, in both wide and slim versions, in a heritage Michael Kors design that is understated and refined, appealing to the woman with classic taste. For more designs from Michael Kors and other exquisite jewelry brands, make sure you visit your nearest Trinkets outlet today!

MCDONALDS

THE FREEDOM TO PLAY Dragon Age: Inquisition by bazaar staff

The much-anticipated Dragon Age: Inquisition was released by BioWare on November 18, 2014. The third of the Dragon Age game franchise features impeccable graphics and a stunning soundtrack, which explains its three-and-a-halfyear production and development time. However, what is most attractive is the openness granted to players of the game, allowing for a convincing, tailor-made experience. STORYLINE: Set in 9:41 Dragon – the 41st year of the 9th (Dragon) Age – the game follows the story of an Inquisitor and his companions on a quest to close tears in the ‘Veil’, a metaphysical barrier between the real world and that of the demons. Tears occur throughout the land of Thedas in areas exposed to excessive death or use of magic. Flanked by an array of captains, advisers, witches and mages, the Inquisitor’s mission is to close all the minor tears across the continent as well as the main Breach. This was caused by a catastrophic explosion in the Temple of Sacred Ashes, of which the Inquisitor was the only survivor, absorbing some of the energy escaping from the Breach. This left him with the unique ability to repair tears in the Veil. Bioware states that the main quest in the game is to “save the world from itself”. GRAPHICS: The game was built on an RPG engine using DICE’s Frostbite 3 technology. With this kind of game engine, one can expect sprawling pastures, indulgently designed castle interiors and extreme detail injected into everything when it comes to Dragon Age: Inquisition. Higher resolutions are paired with better textures and real-world lighting to create intricately forged character appearances 98

and biomes. From the grass and tree leaves that flawlessly rustle in the wind, to the shallow river rapids, nothing in the appearance of the landscapes has been left to chance. However, this sharp and impeccable display system comes at a cost for PC users. In order to experience the full magic of the game, reviewers recommend players have Windows 7 or 8.1 software with a whopping 26GB of free disk space, as well as a costly graphics card. Nonetheless, most dedicated gamers are already equipped with these system requirements, as an immense amount of games released in 2014 operate on high-res platforms. Even so, immersing oneself into the bewitching and ever-shifting world of Thedas is worth every penny. In order to create realistic characters, Bioware chose to have voice actors wear movementdetecting bodysuits. This permitted their natural gestures to be mimicked in their animations and resulted in incredibly believable characters to suit their dynamic surroundings. GAMEPLAY: Unlike Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, the latest addition to the franchise allows players to customize vast amounts of the game, ranging from the pattern printed on your character’s armor, to their sexual orientation. Moreover, Bioware created a cloud-based platform called the Dragon Age Keep that allows dedicated gamers to upload customizable settings from previous titles of the game franchise. Aspects such as plot events and characterization can be transferred to produce a simple transition from past Dragon Age games and reduce the time it takes to become accustomed to gameplay settings. Although past versions utilized an ‘over the shoulder’ viewpoint, producers opted for a more

distant perspective on the action in the most recent release, in order to allow for the newly-featuring strategy combat planning. Gamers can pause midcombat to assign their companions with orders regarding their choice of weapon, the force of any magic spells and the individual they target. Using an increased difficulty mode, this strategic combat method is essential, especially in the case of an ambush or large and powerful enemy force. SOUNDTRACK: In the 95 minute soundtrack, created by Trevor Morris, the adventures through the quests are authentically reflected in the music. He uses a melange of organic and electronic instrument sounds as well as live choirs to form a fantastical atmosphere whilst also maintaining the haunting, raw texture of classical instruments such as flutes, violins and drums. By doing this, Morris was able to incorporate the medieval-age themes of the game whilst also preserving the mystical air essential for a dragon and a magic-packed storyline. Unique themes and motifs are attached to different landscapes with auditory transitions signifying the character’s change of situation. For example, during an ambush or moments before a fight breaks out, a sense of immense tension is evident through the fullbodied and gripping music. Although the soundtrack has not won any gaming awards, game reviewers soundtrackgeek.com awarded it with an ‘Album Excellence’ rating of 88% and described it as “epic and beautiful”. For more information visit the Dragon Age: Inquisition website, www.dragonage.com, to view screenshots of gameplay in the gallery, delve into the soundtrack and explore the continent of Thedas on an interactive map.

PARTYLAND

@PARTYLANDKWT @PARTYLAND_KUWAIT

VIE FITNESS STUDIO

A new training approach as old as mankind by bazaar staff

You have been following your training schedule at the gym religiously. At least four days a week you spend at least an hour there, and it’s the same every time. You warm up on a cardio machine, stretch, and then off to the weight machines. You will hit an interesting class every once in a while, and sometimes you’ll splurge on a few lessons with a personal trainer. You are fit, you look great and couldn’t be happier. Then comes the day when you head off on a long vacation, and you have to lift a 50 kilogram bag into the back of the car. Your back goes out the moment you pick it up, even though you can bench almost double that at the gym. The injury is no doubt surprising considering your dedication to your fitness, but this is a common situation for frequenters of traditional gyms. Vie Fitness Studio, Kuwait’s newest gym located on the 32nd floor of the Panasonic Building offers a break from the regularly scheduled gym session with one of the hottest trends in physical conditioning: functional training. The idea is simple, rather than work specific muscles such as your triceps or quads, the exercises are designed to help your body work in unison to help you perform everyday movements better. Imagine all the physically demanding activities you have to do throughout the day: when you pick up your toddler, carry the groceries, reach high up for something or even just get up out of your chair. Each of these actions need strength, posture, and balance training, all readily available at Vie. “Our functional training concept works on ‘specificity.’ The concept of ‘specificity’ states that you get what you train for. Hence if you train complex movements, you get better at moving, breathing, living.” Functional training is ideal for all body types, from the athlete to the senior citizen, or even those recovering from physical injuries. The overall program offers improved balance and stability by concentrating exercises on the core, while performing exercises that replicate every day movement such as picking something up. Less weights are used in sessions than traditional strength training exercises, which minimizes injury. So, rather than sit on a leg press and work out your thighs, your trainer would ask you to do a squat, emulating the proper way to bend down and pick something up. With your body in the proper squat position you are then asked to pick up a small weight. As you progress, your body gets used to the movement, and you can lift heavier dumb bells. However, with a strong emphasis on the movement, and not on the muscle, you can quickly see a full body transformation. This type of full body movement helps you burn calories faster. This complete workout is great for weight loss, but it is also ideal for those with weak joints and bones. Since the body is moving as a 100

unit, and no part is isolated during any part of the training, you have less wear and tear on the body. Vie Fitness Studio, whose name is derived from the word ‘strive’, has created an environment for their clientele to truly strive for their goals. The six trainers are also certified to provide body weight assessments and nutritional plans. During your first visit, one of the trainers will evaluate your lifestyle and general fitness ability. Then, they will design a program based on your own personal

goals, and be there to encourage and cheer you towards an overall healthy lifestyle. While the facility focuses training on unconventional movements that go beyond regular gym equipment, it is well equipped with some of the best machines in functional training. Rather than a traditional treadmill with little shock support and a motorized belt that guides your body through movement, Vie is equipped with the Woody Treadmill. The machine burns 30% more calories

than the regular cardio machine we all use. With no motorized belt, users are forced to push the belt, which activates the entire body, not just the legs. Its shock absorbing slats give the additional perk of reduced harmful blows that cause or exasperate back and knee problems. Most important, the team at Vie Fitness Studio wants to make sure that each of their members is enjoying their workout, no matter how strenuous it may be.

“All of these benefits go along with one of the best features of functional training – it’s safe, effective, and fun. Instead of sitting on endless machines and doing mundane sets of repetitions on each, functional training creates a playgroundtype training environment,” they told bazaar. With weekly challenges, and outdoor routines guided by the unique encouraging and informative spirit of the trainers, you are part of a community that will help you get where you need to go. This

boutique personal training gym, the only training facility with a panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf, is guaranteed to get you in the best shape of your life and help you start truly living it. Vie Fitness Studio is located on the 32nd floor of the Panasonic Tower in Kuwait City and is open Saturday to Thursday 7 AM – 11 PM. Call 2227 9365 or visit vfitnessstudio.com for more information. Follow them on Instagram @vfitnessstudio. 101

Loaay's Two Cents Got business problems or challenges at work? With his Two Cents page, Loaay Ahmed shares his expertise in strategic management consulting to help managers, employees and entrepreneurs thrive.

We’re a small company. I can’t afford to spend money on everyone for training. Is it wrong if I attend the training workshops alone and then train the employees?

Train the trainer is a well-known and accepted practice not only by small to medium-sized companies, but by large corporations too. Having said that, there are pitfalls you need to be aware of. First, your employees will miss out on being in the training facility, listening, participating, asking, and having side conversations with other attendees about the topic, which are elements that add to the learning experience and cement it more in the memory. Second, there are potential communication gaps between what the instructors say, what you understand, what you express to your employees and what they understand from you. Third, not every good learner is a good teacher. What if your employees ask you deep questions and you don’t have the full knowledge or expertise to answer as a practicing instructor usually has? You can’t also ignore human nature. One employee might not see your decision to attend all workshops yourself as fairness to all staff, but rather selfishness with the training budget. And as you know, it only takes one person to spread a bad vibe virus inside a company; and before you know it, negative morale is everywhere, like Ebola in an African hospital. A more balanced approach is to rotate workshop attendance among you. Make it a policy that whoever attends a workshop has to teach it to the rest of the team within one week of the workshop ending for the purpose of sharing knowledge. But learning doesn’t come from workshops alone. Online content, books, magazines, discussions, coaching, mentoring, to name a few, are all forms of learning experiences and some of them are free...and that’s just my two cents.

When I complain to a support agent about not calling me back as promised, the answer is usually, “We don’t have an answer yet. That’s why we didn’t call you.” How hard is it for companies to update their customers regardless?

Almost everyone can recall the number of incidents when customer support agents say they’ll call back and never do. Has anyone ever thought of the reasons why they don’t call back? Let’s break it down: Some companies don’t have any system in place to track and update the progress of an incident in a centralized and shared platform that allows the person who registered the complaint to find out what happened. For companies that do have such systems, most of their front desk employees are not empowered to push the matter forward internally and find an answer or a solution. In other cases, overload and long internal communication policies create a bureaucratic culture that delays feedback. That’s not counting the possibility that the agent is simply an unprofessional person working in a mediocre business. 102

What many businesses don’t realize is that keeping a promise to a customer goes a long way as far as loyalty and reputation are concerned. You’ll be surprised how absent this notion is in practice. To provide a more fulfilling customer experience companies should reward their front desk agents for keeping promises, for genuinely listening, and for following up; basically, for doing the right thing. Why? Because employees do whatever matters to management to improve their careers. If a manager only cares about reducing the number of seconds an agent spends over the phone with a customer, then that agent will definitely not care to call a customer back just to say, “Sorry that your issue is not resolved yet. I know you’re waiting for feedback. You will receive a call from me tomorrow as soon as a solution is available”...and that’s just my two cents.

I hate it when we make mistakes with customers. I get nervous and start thinking about being fired or penalized. How can I cope with mistakes without stressing out? No decent business wants to deliberately do wrong by customers. But it is mistakes that show the true colors of employees and management. Many companies try to weasel themselves out of problems when they fear the possibility of financial loss. Only a few businesses take ownership of their mistakes and do whatever it takes to fix them. Here are three quick tips on handling mistakes: (1) Do whatever you can to avoid making the mistake in the first place. Prevention is better than the cure. (2) If a mistake takes place, cure the condition; don’t treat it. A treatment is a temporary solution that doesn’t guarantee preventing a problem from being repeated. A cure is a permanent fix. Look into what you can improve to stop the same problem for good. (3) Be a professional. You made a mistake. Pay the price and move on. A mistake is like a torch in the dark; it shows you the way. Mistakes don’t highlight what’s right, but they help you to quickly identify areas that require immediate attention so you can improve and strengthen what you’re doing well. How your business responds to mistakes, what you learn from them, and what you do to avoid the same mistakes in the future are the activities that separate serious companies from amateur ones... and that’s just my two cents

For Loaay Ahmed’s advice on business or work matters, send a short email to loaay@knightscapital.com. Regrettably, only the questions chosen for publishing will be answered. Loaay Ahmed is a management adviser and strategic expert. To learn more about Loaay and his consulting service, strategic business therapy, visit www.knightscapital.com.

CROCS

bazaar books Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West

YOU HAVE TO F*****G EAT by Adam Mansbach

EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU

THE ART OF ASKING

YES PLEASE

LIVES IN RUINS

by Amanda Palmer

by Amy Poehler

by Marilyn Johnson

Rock star, crowdfunding pioneer, and TED speaker Amanda Palmer knows all about asking. When she left her record label to strike out on her own, she asked her fans to support her in making an album, leading to the world’s most successful music Kickstarter. Even while Amanda is both celebrated and attacked for her fearlessness in asking for help, she finds that there are important things she cannot ask for – as a musician, as a friend, and as a wife. She learns that she isn’t alone in this, that so many people are afraid to ask for help, and it paralyzes their lives and relationships. She explores these barriers in her own life and in the lives of those around her, and discovers the emotional, philosophical, and practical aspects of The Art Of Asking: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Let People Help. Part manifesto, part revelation, this is the story of an artist struggling with the new rules of exchange in the 21st century, both on and off the Internet.

Do you want to spend some time with the lady who made you howl with laughter on Saturday Night Live, and in movies like Blades of Glory? Do you find yourself daydreaming about hanging out with the actor behind the brilliant Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation? Did you wish you were in the audience at the last two Golden Globes ceremonies, so you could bask in the hilarity of Amy’s one-liners? If your answer to these questions is “Yes Please!” then you are in luck. In her first book, one of our most beloved funny folk delivers a smart, pointed, and ultimately inspirational read. Full of the comedic skill that makes us all love Amy, Yes Please is a rich and varied collection of stories, lists, poetry (Plastic Surgery Haiku, to be specific), photographs, mantras and advice and it will make you think as much as it will make you laugh. Honest, personal, real, and righteous, Yes Please is full of words to live by.

The author of The Dead Beat turns her piercing eye and charming wit to the real-life avatars of Indiana Jones – the archaeologists who sort through the muck and mire of swamps, ancient landfills, volcanic islands, and other dirty places to reclaim history for us all. What kind of work do they actually do, and why does it matter? Marilyn Johnson’s Lives in Ruins is an absorbing and entertaining look at the lives of archaeologists. Johnson digs and drinks alongside archaeologists, chases them through the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and even Machu Picchu, and excavates their lives. Her subjects share stories we rarely read in history books, about slaves and Ice Age hunters, ordinary soldiers of the American Revolution, children of the first century, mummies. What drives these archaeologists is not the money (meager) or the jobs (scarce) or the working conditions (dangerous), but their passion for the stories that would otherwise be buried and lost.

by Celeste Ng

From the author of the international best seller Go the F*** to Sleep comes a long-awaited sequel about the other great parental frustration: getting your little angel to eat something that even vaguely resembles a normal meal. Profane, loving, and deeply cathartic, You Have to F***ing Eat breaks the code of child-rearing silence, giving moms and dads, new, old, grand- and expectant, a muchneeded chance to laugh about a universal problem. A perfect gift, like the smash hit Go the F*** to Sleep (over 1.5 million copies sold) You Have to F***ing Eat perfectly captures Mansbach’s trademark humor, which is simultaneously affectionate and radically honest. On top of that we have learned that none other than Walter White aka Bryan Cranston will be narrating the audiobook version. “This is a very funny book and my hope is that listeners will agree that I can swear with just as much panache as Samuel Jackson,” Cranston said.

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Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, their middle daughter. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. When Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together tumbles into chaos, forcing them to confront the long-kept secrets that have been slowly pulling them apart. James, consumed by guilt, sets out on a reckless path that may destroy his marriage. But it’s the youngest of the family who observes far more than anyone realizes and who may be the only one who knows the truth about what happened. A profoundly moving story of family, history, and the meaning of home, it is both a gripping page-turner and a sensitive family portrait, exploring the divisions between cultures and the rifts within a family, and uncovering the ways in which mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and husbands and wives struggle, all their lives, to understand one another.

source: www.amazon.com

TURKISH GRILL

bazaar around town ABOU EL SID, THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMID IN KUWAIT, GREETED KUWAIT MEDIA In an ambiance inspired from the authentic Egyptian culinary art, The Sultan Group of Restaurants hosted Kuwait Media at Abou El Sid Restaurant , the world renowned and unsurpassed Egyptian restaurant. The event took place in the presence of Sultan management, headed by Group Marketing Director, Mr. Stevens Reynolds and Restaurants Marketing Manager Mr. Hussein Al Sayed, in addition of H.E Rami Tahboub, Palestine Ambassador in Kuwait and representatives of the British Embassy in Kuwait. The media spent an unforgettable get-together dinner under the theme of: “Media Appreciation Night” at the restaurant located at the Arabian Gulf Road, nearby the Green Island. Gathered at the landmark of Egypt in Kuwait, media representatives savored each moment at the restaurant while experiencing unprecedented food garnished with the touches of Abou El Sid, the courageous cook who defied the Sultan and kept the secret of his own recipes. With high spirits, the media experienced Egyptian traditions including the traditional folkloric skirt dance, music oldies and the famous “Erk Sous” bartender. The event came to be an attribution to the Egyptian culture in a venue featuring Egyptian authenticity, tradition and culture. Abou El Sid is located on Arabian Gulf Street, Green Island entrance, phone 2226 4525. OVER 200 ALGHANIM INDUSTRIES EMPLOYEES IN RUN Q8 Alghanim Industries sponsored over 200 of its employees to run in RunQ8, the annual 10K race which was held in Kuwait on 29 November to raise money for the treatment of children at the Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC). The sponsorship forms part of the company’s commitment to supporting initiatives and programs which enhance the wellbeing of Kuwait’s community. The company, which paid the race entry fees for any employee taking part in RunQ8, sponsored employees from its corporate headquarters as well as from many of its core businesses such as Alghanim Automotive, Alghanim Engineering, Alghanim Motors, ATLAS, Enaya Insurance, GTRC, KIMMCO, Kirby, Safat Home and X-cite by Alghanim Electronics. During the awards ceremony, Alghanim Industries was recognized by the race organizers as having the largest corporate-sponsored team at the event. Organized by the Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute (FSRI), the funds raised by the RunQ8 10K race will be used to support FSRI’s initiatives, including providing free or low-cost rehabilitation services to vulnerable children.

ETOILE “LA BOUTIQUE” PRESENTS A FASHION STORM: ‘What’s Hot Now’ Fall/Winter 2014 Press and VIPs were invited to Etoile “La boutique” at The Avenues – Grand Avenue for a fun, interactive, in-store event hosted by Yalda Golsharifi one of the top influencers in Kuwait. The ‘Fashion Storm’ event attracted all the fashion lovers of Kuwait who are keen to know about the latest trends for the stormy winter season. Etoile “La boutique” presented the best of its Fall/Winter 14 with a showcase of looks that ranged from daywear to sophisticated eveningwear with models showcasing the latest looks from many new and exclusive designers at the boutique such as Christopher Kane, Au jour Le Jour, Rada, Bohemian Rapsodie, Elizabeth Cole & Federica Moretti alongside Ingie Paris, Christian Dior, Prabal Gurung, Alaia, Carolina Herrera New York, Roksanda Ilincic, No21, Greta Constantine, Paul Andrew, Nina Ricci, Lulu Guinness, Raoul and Kotur. VIPs and guests such as Ascia, Bibi Al Abdulmuhsen and The Real Fouz had a chance to view their favorite pieces from the new collection by being able to dress models up to their style and have a chance to win a fashionable gift from the boutique.

GULF BANK CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY At Bayt Abdullah Children Hospice Gulf Bank recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the International Children’s Day, and Children Rights Agreement at Bayt Abdullah Children Hospice (BACCH). On 27 November 2014, Gulf Bank organized an entertainment day covering amusing activities for the children of Bayt Abdullah. A major part of the day’s activities involved the “Color Me Mine” pottery studio conducting a workshop with Gulf team, teaching the children how to color pottery products with a personal design, commemorating the day. Celebration of the International Children’s Day coincides with the 25th anniversary, where the world vowed to the children to exert relentless efforts towards protecting them and enhance their rights in survival, learning and growth, to make their voice heard, and to enable them to use their maximum potential. Although achievements were realized, there is a lot that remain to be achieved; as more children are behind than ever. Gulf Bank, as a socially responsible leading banking institution in Kuwait, is fully committed to supporting charitable events that benefit all groups making up the Kuwaiti community, especially children. Bayt Abdullah Children’s’ Hospice, is a paediatricpalliative facility dedicated to children with life limiting illnesses and their families, is sponsored by the generous contributions from Gulf Bank and donations from the community at large. 106

ATHENA

Oh my Godness(2009)

ANG TSHERIN SHERPA ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE by Deepa Pant

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‘My focus has always been to merge the gap between sacred and secular, icon and ordinary and perhaps past history and contemporary. I feel everyone contributes one’s own identity, history and culture into creating a global contemporary culture.’ Ang Tsherin Sherpa, an artist extraordinaire, followed in his father’s footsteps, but then carved his own identity in the contemporary art world with his stunning artistic virtuosity, innovation, and a departure from the traditions. His amazing works display a stunning fusion of East meets West, cultural references and personal narratives. In an exclusive interview with bazaar, California–based Tibetan artist Ang Tsherin Sherpa talks about his beginnings, influences and how art became his calling.

Lost Spirits(2014)

Q AND ART: ANG TSHERIN SHERPA With a degree in Mandarin and Computer Science from Taiwan, what made you traverse the world of art? Tell us a little about your background. My father and my uncles are second generation Tibetan thangka artists, so I was surrounded by the tradition from birth. When I was thirteen, I began the several year apprenticeship process to formally study the craft. After this period of intense training, I needed to discover if I truly desired to continue this practice as my life path. Fortunately, I was accepted under scholarship program for Tibetans that brought me to Taiwan. This gave me a chance to discover cultures outside that which I was acquainted, as well as deepening my connection to my dual Nepalese/ Tibetan heritage. Over time, I came to realize that I wanted to

Self Portrait (2010) return to Nepal. My study continued with my father as well as it does today in a different form. You are the son of Master Thangka painter Urgen Dorje Sherpa. How has this influenced your work? One of the advantages of being born in an artist’s family was that there was never the lack of source for information. My father had spent his whole life researching techniques, history and philosophy on Tibetan traditional art. He was never satisfied with his technique, so he would search out more teachers who could teach him further in specific aspects of painting. Some teachers had a better understanding of color, while others were masters of outlining or gold work. He synthesized all this knowledge into his own artwork. I consider myself very fortunate for having access to all this information.

In my contemporary work, I continue to search out new techniques that weren’t accessible when I was in Nepal. Without any local art museums, I only began to encounter different art styles and revolutionary figures such as Andy Warhol upon my travels outside my home country. Nowadays, I’ve noticed myself always listening to national public radio in the background while painting. The chatter of world events sort of needs to be going in order to get into my zone. My father used to always have lamas over for discussions about Buddhist philosophy while working. I sort of carry over a similar tradition of background information that influences my work. Redefining the notions of what Tibetan art is; you continue to push the boundaries and have gained international recognition. You have managed to successfully incorporate the traditional and bold contemporary aspects into your own artistic identity. How do you balance tradition and innovation in your works? My focus has always been to merge the gap between sacred and secular, icon and ordinary and perhaps past history and contemporary. I feel everyone contributes one’s own identity, history and culture into creating a global contemporary culture. The traditional Tibetan iconography and technique is my vocabulary to explore the contemporary concerns and issues. You were awarded the Himalayan Fellowship 2010 by the Rubin Museum. Tell us about your experiences and also about your installation titled Self Portrait, made with found objects. The Himalayan Fellowship at Vermont Studio Center was a very valuable experience for me to be among a large group of artists from different places. There were artists from the US, Canada, UK, Korea, China, India, Indonesia and Thailand etc. I wanted to meet and collaborate so I went around meeting the various artists. I collected their discarded materials without which I wouldn’t have been able realize a collage installation titled Self Portrait. How have your constant travels, displacement and migration affected your works? Definitely, my Spirit series of paintings is one of the ways I explore this displacement. In my culture, it is believed that spirits protect the land to which they belong. I wondered what would happen to these spirits when the humans that inhabited the land moved away. Would they follow them and adapt to their new environments as well? The constant travel and migration certainly affects an artist and his or her work. One tends to try to assimilate oneself into one’s surroundings and it probably gives one a wider perspective and various lenses to see through. Can you explain a little about your techniques? My traditional training always seems to show itself in my work. Some of those techniques are wet and dry shading which accounts for the subtle transitioning of colors within the figures. There is often a crispness to the outlining of my work. Gold has evolved from being used only [continued...] 109

Derivative(2009)

Multiple Protector 1 (2014)

Dagger (kard) with European H

The butterfly effect/Chaos theory (2008) [...continued] in accents, to include full leaf backgrounds. Thangkas are built upon a grid system that is the skeletal underpining for the deity. This foundation helps assure that proportions are correct. I’ve used the technique of removing this foundation in my Protector series that is exploring groundlessness. A synthesis between digital and analog occurs for this process to work. I’ll take one of my paintings then manipulate it through Photoshop then redraw by hand what I print out. This process of moving back and forth occurs until something speaks to me. In the Black Clouds: Golden Child series I began exploring the use of inks as fills for my figures. I was delighted by the sense of wonder, space, and depth they can give to a painting. The 110

juxtaposition of depth with flatness of elements, such as silhouettes, give a dynamism of events all occurring at once in the same space while somehow being separate. This exploration of style and technique continues into my current work. I’m always keeping an eye out for new techniques and styles that would integrate with my current style of painting. One finds interesting juxtaposition and use of words in your painting entitled Oh My Godness. Can you tell us a bit about it? When I moved to California, I was surprised to see how some people viewed Tibetans. For many, Tibetans were like monks – serene, vegetarian, non-materialist, above worldly, kind of a Shangri-la being. I wanted to respond to the notion with this work. Through the use of words and elements of

pop culture, it was exposing my own shortcomings, baggage and ordinariness. Your works explore the relationship between people and globalization, tradition and modernity, West and East. Can you explain your work entitled ‘The Butterfly Effect/Chaos Theory’ and also ‘Derivative’? The Butterfly Effect and Derivative were painted in early 2009, right after the financial crunch in 2008. BE was a narrative of how greed of an institution such as banks etc. can intentionally or unintentionally impact ordinary people and their lives. Derivative was an examination to see how a sacred object, such as Buddha head, can transform its inherent value from being an object of veneration to a commodity. How has your work developed since you had your first solo show, Tibetan Spirit, in 2012 at Rossi & Rossi, London? In the last couple of years, I’ve moved deeper into exploring the re-appropriation of images through the use of Tibetan deities in abstract forms. Initially, a savvy viewer could often tell where the original image was derived from. That distinction has begun to blur and disappear in such recent work as Lost Spirits. As I’ve developed a larger body of work, I’ve noticed each of my series expand to comment on multiple levels. What projects are you working on now? I am working on some new projects for a few upcoming exhibits in 2015/2016 at Rossi & Rossi Gallery in London, APT 8 in Queensland, Australia and in San Francisco which is an exhibit organized by City Art Commission of San Francisco. We also have some exhibits taking place at the moment at Arndt gallery in Berlin, Rossi & Rossi in London and at Queens Museum of Art in New York. How do you view the new contemporary art scene in Tibet? Contemporary Tibetan art has been quite an established movement in Tibet by now. There is Gendun Choephel Artist’s guild established in Lhasa. And many of the member artists exhibit their works in Asia, Europe and America. Although there’s rarely a direct communication between the artists living inside Tibet with those living outside, the Internet has allowed for us to see each other’s works. An exchange through the language of symbols occurs even if we aren’t always consciously aware of what that dialogue is saying. It’s fascinating to watch it unfold. What are some other Tibetan artists you think people should know about? Kesang Lamdark (Zurich), Gonkar Gyatso (London), Tenzing Rigdol (New York), Nortse (Lhasa), Gade (Lhasa), Tsering Nyandak (Lhasa), Benchung (Lhasa), Tsewang Tashi (Lhasa) and Dedron (Lhasa), to name a few.

If you would like to know more about Ang Tsherin Sherpa then you can visit www.tsherinsherpa.com. Images courtesy of the artist and Rossi and Rossi Gallery.

Presented by

Q8 FOOD FEST Limited Tickets Available, Purchase in Advance at www.Q8FoodFestival.com Come celebrate Kuwait’s culinary diversity and enjoy tasting cuisine from local restaurants, gourmet grocers and artisanal bakers. Shop for local produce, watch Celebrity Chefs and enjoy live music.

March 5 – 7, 2015

The Q8 Food Festival: All About Food.