Beautifying Dubai with art

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls, standing by these words of exemplary artist, Pablo Picasso, this year will witness the implementation of a citywide beautification project signed under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai that has been developed keeping in mind the welfare of the emirate’s artists, residents, and visitors alike.

New look of the Dubai Metro after the citywide beautification initiative will be implemented

The world is but a canvas to our imagination and hence the ruler of Dubai has gone to great lengths yet again for benefiting his people by focusing extensive amounts of resources towards beautifying the emirate and divulging its inhabitants into ethnic, vivacious, and at the same time scenic images and installations.

According to Wilma Burton, a Venezuelan healing-art artist based in Abu Dhabi, this is an excellent opportunity to embrace art and adds, “The initiative supports the arts and, at the same time, exposes the public to what is attractive and pleasing to the eye.”

There is a very pragmatic theory behind the concept of ‘healing-art’ that was introduced only recently in the emirate, during the holy month of Ramadan. According to its proponents, colors play a major role in everyday life, for instance, when driving through a tunnel that is coated with cool colors such as blue or green it can create a soothing effect on the minds of people, whilst displaying colors like red or violet showcased through paintings or just planted flowers near a metro station for example, can do well to boost energy levels of commuters. Also showcasing paintings or sculptures that bear cultural references can fortify and promote local heritage.

Burton remarks that in the media-saturated, fast-paced world of today, people have no time to indulge themselves into the creative realm and therefore working towards the beautification of the city by integrating art will stimulate the residents and promote an optimistic vibe throughout the region. She states, “Even for people who do not have the time or cannot afford to go to a museum or exhibition to see a painting, they’ll be able to enjoy this.”

Revamping six metro stations into art galleries

The funding directed towards this massive beautification project is an exorbitant amount of Dh184-million that will commence with converting six metro stations into inspiring art galleries, and brightening bridges and underpasses with murals painted by the talented artists residing in the emirate, which will pose as a great opportunity to exhibit and promote local talent. They will also be invited to create installations, sculptures and street art that will be donned at all the trendy spots across the emirate. The project is set to be completed by 2015.

The idea of donning public places like stations, parks, hospitals and business areas with invigorating representations of art dates back to the 18th century and many countries in Europe and the United States have already implemented this practice. Burton states that several of her paintings have been converted into banners to don the streets of California and she is excited about this trend finally catching on in the UAE.

Revamping six metro stations into art galleries