Issue # 24
29th March 2016
PORTFOLIO By Kanika Mathur Published at DIFF 2015: Broadcast Pro Gone are the days where one would be restricted to see films in 2D. As technological developments reach new heights, one cannot just view films, but also live and breathe them. And this is exactly what virtual reality (VR) does – it almost acts like a teleportation key to transport oneself into the world of films. An interactive session titled ‘Virtually Real’ was held at the Dubai Film Market forum, which discussed the impact of emerging technologies on cinematic viewing experiences and how content developed would have to match up with the concept of VR. Where VR was once associated with just gaming world, the same concept is being applied in the world of cinema as well. “The technology is there, and the proof of concept is there, and what’s not there yet is the content. We’re just now getting to a moment in time where we’re starting to create content in VR and distribute it so people can see it,” said Hayley Pappas, Head of Films, RYOT. She also added that we’re finally getting to a point where storytelling is starting to be incorporated in VR. However, traditional storytelling through theatre has not lost its importance with the evolution
of VR. “You have to navigate the traditional with the new. There’s all sorts of things that work traditionally. For example, theatre actors become really valuable, people who can work in one fluid take with 4 Go Pros working at the same time, and not taking a break. Your ears become important.” said Elia Petridis, a filmmaker. Because people are now beginning to get an all-round experience of a film through VR, they are able to connect further with the characters on screen, according to Julie Young, Producer & Financial Officer, Emblematic Group. “We had a piece called Project Syria that we brought to Sundance festival last year. It puts you onscene in the middle of war-torn Syria, so it’s a very intense piece,” said Young. “We had people take off their headsets in tears, saying they’ve watched it on TV, seen it 2D, read articles. But now they get it. Even though you’re passively experiencing something, it’s that part of it – ‘I get it’ – that’s the next generation of storytelling.” The idea of VR is to create an environment that is virtually real and in order to do so, the debate regarding monoscopic and stereoscopic (camera for left
and right eye) cameras continue to rage. The golden standard for VR according to moderator Clyde DeSouza, Writer & Evangelist at Real Vision, was stereoscopic. According to Jon Starck, Head of Research, The Foundry, monoscopic cameras would be good enough. “If you just need to understand the space or be in someone’s situation, then maybe it’s okay for it to be monoscopic.” he said. The future of VR seems to be one with endless possibilities. The question that now arises is how technologies are further improved upon to enhance viewing experiences.
Issue # 24
29th March 2016
Work done at Sharjah International Book Fair 2015 The Power of Translation Books are celebrated all over the world as givers of information and facilitators of imagination. They are a means for writers to communicate their experiences and ideas through a play of words. But what happens when books are written in languages that cannot be understood by all? Language does not seem to be a barrier as the 34th Edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair brings together publishers and authors across the world under one roof. The reason this has been made possible is because of the power of translation. The true power of translation is understood when cross-cultural promotion takes place. “Of course it is important to translate books from one language to another,” said Jad
Hoballah, Publishing and Editing Department Director atAfrique Orient printing and publishing house. “How else will you promote culture if you don’t translate?” Translation is especially helpful for those who are unfamiliar with languages different from their own. “For example, if you write books only in French, countries that don’t speak French may not have access to books these books” said Hoballah. As a distributor of books, target audiences of books may also be limited to a handful of countries if audiences are unable to read the language a book was written in, according to Hoballah. As important as translation may seem, it does have its drawbacks. Translating books from one language another can
be a time consuming process. “It depends on the translator – it can take weeks, months or even two years. It also depends on the length and complexity of the book” said Hoballah. Hoballah also added that the essence of words in the original copy may be lost while translation. “You can lose the meaning of the words when sentences are changed. Some words in the original language may not be the same as words in the translational language.” Despite this, translation seems to be popular as numerous stalls offer a wide range of genres to choose from. Books on history, anthropology, diseases among others, are some of the books in demand by the Arab countries according to Hoballah.
Issue # 24
29th March 2016
Raging Wars: Impact of Civil War on Education in Syria
From books of alphabets, to books of general knowledge, the 34th Edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair brings publishers from all across the world, giving readers – especially children – a wide range of books to choose from.
According to a report published by Save the Children, a UK based organization, almost 3 million Syrian children do not go to school and half of the refugee children received no form of education in 2014.
But not all children are fortunate enough to have an exposure to books. Year four, and the ongoing war in Syria has still not come to an end. Devastation has plagued the country leaving the natives to flee in search of refuge and children denied their right to education.
“The safe cities cannot handle many children. Many children are now living in camps. There is no time or wealth for education” said Adwan. “Schools have now become a place to sleep at.” Adwan also said that having an education has now become a privilege. It has now become an option, rather than a necessity. “People do not think of spending their money on pens and paper. They only of how they are going to get food and water and a safe place to live in.”
“Most of the cities are now destroyed in Syria”, said Marwan Adwan, manager of Mamdouh Adwan Publishing House. “The population of Syria was 20 million, and out of these 10 – 12 million have now become refugees.” This has made a significant impact on the education of Syrian children. Two
books
highlighting
the
current Syrian crisis and the impact on children’s education thereof have also been published by the publishing house. “One of the books titled Mausam Saqoot Al Farashaat (The Era of Fallen Butterflies) talks about a guy who volunteers to be a teacher and educate children. The chapters talk about how the guy tries to attract children and parents towards schools and how he travels through bombed sections of the city.” said Adwan. “There is also a romantic angle to it, but the couple discusses about the events happening around them most of the time.” As a small organization, Adwan said it is difficult to turn ideas project ideas into a reality. Despite this, the publishing house has undertaken small projects such as building libraries and donating books to Syrian children in order to help meet their educational needs.
Issue # 24
29th March 2016
Sikka 2016: Interview with Jewelry Designer Lia Staehlin
Lia Staehlin, German based designer at Sikka Art Fair 2016, along with her work. The sun set and cast its final glow on the historical towers of Al Bastakiya. The quiet alleyways that echoed the voices of the wanderers traveling by became the reflective surfaces off of which regional music became alive. The rustic houses that lined the alleyways became home to artists – artists who found a shelter for their work. The Sikka Art Fair 2016 served as an inspiration for budding artists and art lovers alike. Amidst the cacophony of people who crowded the usually quiet “Sikkas”, jewelry designer Lia Staehlin continued to work on her intricately designed pieces. Staehlin, who is a German designer based in UAE, is a part of the
Tashkeel organization. She has her own cozy studio, where she works for as many hours as she likes to produce high quality work. The jewelry Staehlin crafts incorporate European elements. “European designs are clear. They are straightforward, without being overcrowded with stones. These designs are simple.” says Staehlin. Staehlin’s love for jewelry comes from her childhood. “I always wanted to make jewelry for princesses, like I was living in a fairytale. So I started jewelry designing and I love it. It is an addiction now.” Staehlin’s childhood dream of making jewelry for princesses came true when she successfully created a pieced for a member of
the royal family. She received her second award from the International Jewelry Week Dubai 2012 in the Contemporary Finished Jewelry Piece Award category – the set created was customized for Her Highness, Sheikha Hana al Qassimi of Ras al Khaimah. Her love for the Arab world brought Staehlin to the Emirates. Staehlin is also inspired by traditional Arabic patterns. Her designs are also a reflection of that love as she integrates local gems, like the pearls from Ras Al Khaimah, and horse hair into her jewelry. “I like horses and I do horse riding. My customers love it too. They bring the hair of their own horses to make personalized jew-
Issue # 24
29th March 2016
elry. Also, I’ve been working on a collection for which horses are perfect since they are a part of UAE’s culture.” Staehlin braids thick strands of horse hair into her pieces.
als involved in the jewelry making process, Staehlin says that the initial start-up cost of the venture did not cost much. “It was not very expensive to start the venture. Basic tools such as filer, polish motor, satchel and other small items were Gold and silver are also used as required.” prominent materials from Staehlin’s designs. With the gold souq Apart from crafting jewelry, Staelocated at an easily accessible hlin also hosts workshop to teach distance, all Staehlin has to do is her fellow counterparts the art of walk, buy, and work. The starting jewelry making. Workshops are price of her jewelry is from Dhs held every Tuesday at DUCTAC, 1,200 and the sky is the limit when Mall of the Emirates where Staehit comes to her most expensive lin shares her expertise with beginpieces. ners or advanced jewelry makers. The course provides students an Despite the high costs of materi- understanding in silversmith skills
and design. Wax moulding, sawing, filing and an introduction to stone setting are also some of the things that students learn. Staehlin regularly exhibits her work in prestigious locations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia such as Grand Ellysee in Hamburg, Germany, Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, Ritz Carlton in Dubai, Taj Palace in New Delhi India amongst others. With artists such as Staehlin, Sikka is definitely taken to a whole new level, and continues to shine.
Interview with UAE women’s cricket team captain: Humaira Tasneem It hasn’t been easy being a Hijabi in the sports world. Muslim female athletes around the world who choose to wear the headscarf, or hijab, abide by certain rules of modest clothing that don’t always meet sport regulations. It was in 2012 that the International Volleyball Federation revised its rules to allow a less revealing uniform at the London Olympics after various countries lobbied for it. And it was only in 2014 that FIFA officially allowed soccer players to wear hijab. The Hijab, which was once considered to be an obstructive item of clothing for sportswomen, has come a long way. Recently, there have been several sports news stories which focus on Hijabi women breaking all stereotypes and acing sports. Zahra Lari, figure skater
from UAE, Amna Al Haddad, Emirati weightlifter, are just two names that set an example for Hijabi women in sports. Joining this list is 20 year old architecture student, Humaira Tasneem, who is one of the few players wearing a headscarf. Tasneem is the captain of the UAE Women’s cricket team, and brilliantly led the team to its success during the Gulf Cup Tournament 2015, which was held in Qatar. A right-handed batswoman and a leg spinner, Tasneem not only plays cricket but also indulges in basketball. She scored her best figures in the Women’s ACC Tournament in Thailand. When asked if she had ever faced any hindrance due to wearing a Hijab while playing cricket, Tasneem definitively replied, “no,
never.” She did however recall an incident wherein she was called on by one of the referees for playing with a Hijab, who told her to “remove the scarf because apparently it could get in the ‘way’. “My coach T.Ali just fought with them and I was allowed to play with my scarf. That is the only time my scarf was an issue. I’ve never come across that type of an issue again, especially in the UAE. It’s never been a problem because it’s a Muslim country and they encourage us.” It certainly has not prevented her to continue playing the sport. Her passion for the sport had predominantly been sparked by matches with her siblings in their childhood. “As little kids we would play cricket on the terrace and that’s where I learnt how to bowl and
Issue # 24
29th March 2016
bat and the basic techniques too” reminisces Tasneem. This spark was further ignited at the age of 14, when Tasneem’s school coach contacted the coach of the UAE women’s cricket team and enrolled her into the team. Since then, Tasneem has never looked back.
“Balancing cricket and studies was a little hard,” says Tasneem. “Also, when I started [playing cricket] my fitness level was very low so I would get tired fast. The day I had practice, I would be tired the whole day. I had to work on that a lot so I could study well.”
Tasneem’s journey has been rewarding, with her team winning the Gulf Cup Tournament in Qatar for the second time in a row, and her taking down 5 wickets in 4 overs during the ACC T20 Tournament in Thailand. But she has also had her fair share of challenges when she decided to pursue her passion - cricket.
The notion that women are supposed to play cricket with tennis balls, and not the traditional hard balls was also one of the things that was bothersome. “A lot of people would ask if I play cricket with a tennis ball or with a hard ball, because we are girls and ‘we can’t play cricket with a hard ball since we could get hurt’. That was annoying since I played with
a hardball from the start.” says Tasneem. The question of gender discrimination in terms of remuneration also came into being. “Taking time to play cricket was hard because like the men’s team we don’t even get paid much. I had to make sure I was doing well in college too so I have a backup.” Despite these challenges, Tasneem continues to play and inspire others around her to play the game as well. During her free time, Tasneem offers coaching to less experienced players.
Published at: Dubai Travel Blog