Articles
Cantastic artworks
Inspiration came in a can for many artists - including a number of students - prompting them to create some imaginative pieces for a popular contest.
- By Amelia Naidoo, Notes Staff Reporter
- Published: 13:09 December 14, 2008
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
- American University in Dubai student Yevhen Semenchenko's sculpture of cans, barbed wire, wood and nails deals with the theme of anger.
Flying in the face of traditional art media, artists have created unique works incorporating Red Bull cans in the Art of Can competition. The artworks are currently being exhibited at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai until the end of the week.
Inspiration in a can
When Notes attended the exhibition premiere recently, 122 works including sculptures, paintings, photographs and mechanical and audiovisual compositions were on show. The artists had interpreted the theme "inspiration comes in a can – how does a Red Bull Can inspire you?" in interesting and often unusual ways.
Talented Filipino artists scooped first, second and third prizes. The first prize went to artist Michael Turda for his 'I am legend' painting. Turda, who finished his artwork in a mere three days said: "I never expected to win, especially after I saw the other contestants' amazing works, I am genuinely stunned!"
The second prize went to Rodel Noja for his painting 'Meet the Myths'. Jerry Maninang won third place for his artwork titled 'Energising lifestyle'.
What the judges thought
The competition judges were well-respected figures on the UAE art scene. They included famous UAE photographer and artist Ramesh Shukla, the first female Emirati film producer and director Nayla Al Khaja, leading jewellery designer Azza Al Qubaisi, Emirati DJ and producer Haneef Raisani, artist and assistant professor at Athens School of Fine Arts Aggelos Antonopoulous, and Arts and Culture editor at Time Out Dubai magazine Christopher Lord.
The jury viewed the pieces two hours before the exhibition opened to the public and they assessed the works according to creativity, theme and final presentation.
Al Khaja commented that it was not easy to choose a winner. "The exhibited works of art are highly artistic and reflect great talents and serious creativity," she said.
Organisers said the 'Art of Can' exhibition demonstrates private sector support for the artistic talent of both professionals and amateurs in the UAE. The event, they said, falls within the scope of the government's efforts to strengthen the artistic and cultural trend in Dubai, and in the UAE in general.
Anger represented
American University in Dubai student Yevhen Semenchenko heard about the competition from his sculpture and 3D class professor and was persuaded to take part.
The 21-year-old Ukrainian found more information about the competition on the web and decided to dwell on the theme of anger for his piece.
"I had no idea what my piece was going to be about and then I thought about using a personal experience — a really angry moment in my life — and decided to represent that."
Semenchenko used various media for his sculpture, which included wood, fishing line, Red Bull cans, barbed wire and nails. He said he smashed and tied together the materials to create the feeling of violence and tension. "I wanted the work to attract people and also repel them with the anger that was there," he said.
It took Semenchenko two weeks to develop the idea and about three days to complete it. "It took another week to make all the elements work together and fix things that broke along the way. It was quite a lot of work." The piece is his first completed work, with more in progress.
Semenchenko is currently studying advertising at AUD and hopes to get into this industry when he graduates. He said the exhibition was a good creative outlet because "when you go out to work you have less time to develop your art".
Energising spirit
German national Ziba Zolfaghari Sichani, 25, decided to create a work that represented the Red Bull energy drink. "It re-energises the spirit and I was thinking about representing this with a deity or spiritual figure that makes you feel energetic." Sichani named her figure 'Redbullia', which, she said, was energy personified.
The AUD student who is currently studying visual communication and advertising used to attend Red Bull competitions in her home country but never entered one. "I always wanted to take part but didn't have the time or opportunity. I'm glad my teacher encouraged us to enter," she said.
"I think a lot of us were quite happy to have an opportunity to do pieces as part of our sculpture and 3D class and take part in the competition. It was fun to work with new material as I was used to working with paper mainly," she said.
Sichani's sculpture is made from cans and paper.
Reinterpreting the classics
Daria Udalova, who attends Slovak State University in Slovakia, was visiting her parents who live in Dubai and decided to participate.
The 22-year-old Russian studies product design and enjoys showcasing her artworks in as many exhibitions as she can around the world.
Udalova's work is a reinterpretation of the famous paintings of Salvador Dali and French Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. "I used their paintings and implemented elements of Red Bull in them," she said.
Udalova also participated in last year's exhibition and made a Red Bull chessboard.
Your access to everything in education
