DUBAI: Is this the future of touring blockbuster art exhibitions? That’s the question that springs to mind strolling through the perplexing “multimedia exhibition experience” of “Van Gogh Alive” — which runs until April 23 at Dubai Design District, presenting precisely zero original works by the Dutch master often touted as the greatest painter of all time.
Instead, viewers inhabit an immersive space — walls, floor and ceiling alike dizzyingly splashed with swirling, cropped images of Van Gogh’s works, clumsily phased together like an early Windows screensaver. In total, 3,000 different images flicker from 40 projectors, revolving in a half-hour suite of biographical chapters, set to patronizing mood muzak and punctuated with tortured quotes drawn from the great artist’s letters.
The most haunting moments morph Van Gogh’s harrowed self-portraits eerily into one another — the same deadened, listless eyes glaring out at the viewer from all angles.
The tech has been on tour since 2011, with stops already clocked in 35 cities on four continents, and in places it feels tired.
When I caught “Van Gogh Alive” in Lisbon last summer, silhouetted figures practiced artful tai-chi poses in front of the churning mass of pictures. I presume they were paid to do so, but remain uncertain, as any reaction to this bewildering “experience” was welcome: Hardened gallery goers paced the space with a studied scowl, while families sprawled out on beanbags and at least three paying guests appeared to be taking a nap.
There is, of course, a wider argument to be had about art and appropriation. Fragmenting and gutting Van Gogh’s work and intent in this manner instinctively feels sacrilegious: Should those famous sunflowers really rustle in the digital breeze? Should that windmill actually be seen to turn?
Yet watching kids frolic merrily in front of those iconic images underlines how accessible “Van Gogh Alive” makes his art, while the narrative arc offers audiences either a welcome refresher on, or an introduction to, Van Gogh’s extraordinary talent.
Review: ‘Van Gogh Alive — The Experience’
Review: ‘Van Gogh Alive — The Experience’
Yara Alnamlah’s Moonglaze becomes first Saudi beauty brand at Sephora
- Launch is ‘celebration of cultural pride’ for entrepreneur
DUBAI: Moonglaze, founded by influencer, makeup artist and entrepreneur Yara Alnamlah, on Thursday launched at Sephora Middle East, the first Saudi beauty brand to do so.
For Alnamlah, the launch represented more than a business achievement and she told Arab News it was “a celebration of cultural pride.”
She added: “This achievement not only elevates Moonglaze’s presence on the world stage but also represents a major step forward for Saudi and Middle Eastern beauty voices in the global marketplace.
“What makes this moment truly groundbreaking is that it’s the first time a Saudi brand has entered Sephora’s retail ecosystem, both in store and online exclusively in the Middle East.
“This move showcases the growing influence, creativity, and excellence of Saudi and regional beauty innovators, and opens the door for local brands to shine alongside international leaders.
“Moonglaze’s debut at Sephora reflects a celebration of cultural pride, visionary entrepreneurship, and a renewed spotlight on beauty that resonates with diverse identities from Riyadh to the world.”
At Sephora Middle East, the brand’s full range will be available, including blush sticks, bronze pods, highlighter sticks and brushes, alongside the newly launched FEELS lip liners and MOODS water lip tints, which are debuting exclusively as part of the Sephora launch.
The creation of Moonglaze has been a personal journey shaped by Alnamlah’s background as a makeup artist.
“Our products are inspired by my belief in healthy, glowing skin as the foundation of any great makeup look,” she previously told Arab News, adding that this philosophy led her to begin the brand with skincare before expanding into color cosmetics.
Alnamlah added: “The idea of using makeup to highlight natural beauty rather than mask it is something that I wanted to reflect in every Moonglaze product.
“Growing up in Saudi Arabia, I’ve always been inspired by the cultural appreciation of beauty and the importance of glowing, radiant skin.”
The use of the word “moon” in the brand name references the Arabic term “qamar,” often used to describe someone as luminous, Alnamlah explained.
The Sephora launch follows the brand’s debut at Selfridges London in 2024.
