CULTURE VULTURE
Sharjah art figure to curate Lahore Biennale in 2020
Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi (pictured below) will curate the next Lahore Biennale, taking place in 2020. This is the second edition of the biennale, which was launched this year. Sheikha Hoor’s involvement underlines the close ties between the UAE and Pakistan. This is both in terms of migrant workers – Pakistanis make up about 12 per cent of the population of the UAE – and the Pakistani presence in the Dubai and Sharjah art scenes, where a number of artists, writers and figures are Pakistani. Sheikha Hoor is the president and director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, and has curated many of its shows. The Lahore Biennale’s decision to give the project to Sheikha Hoor seems a smart move for the young organisation. The Sharjah-based curator brings international recognition to the exhibition as well as a deep knowledge of the art of South Asia and the Arab world. The first edition of the biennale took place in March earlier this year, with a small hiccup that grabbed international attention: Rashid Rana, a key Lahore artist, was named as curator, but dropped out in the summer before the show over creative differences. The biennale went ahead anyway; as Qudsia Rahim, the biennale’s director told The National in March, the project had been in the works for four years, and it grew as an organic expression of the city’s art scene.
Drake continues to reign as streaming king on Apple Music platform this year
Drake (pictured below) was a dominant force on Apple Music as the platform’s most-streamed artist of the year globally. Apple released its “Best of 2018” list on Tuesday, in which Drake’s Scorpion was the top album, while his hit God’s Plan was the most popular single. The rapper’s song Nice for What came in second, and In My
Feelings at No. 4. Drake’s fifth studio album had four other songs in the top 100 including Nonstop, I’m Upset,
Mob Ties and Don’t Matter To Me, featuring Michael Jackson. He was also featured on Lil Baby’s Yes
Indeed, Migos’ Walk It Talk It and BlockBoy JB’s Look Alive. Post Malone’s songs Rockstar and Psycho were in the top 5. His album Beerbongs & Bentleys was the second-most streamed followed by Cardi B’s, the late XXXTentacion and Travis Scott.
Peta slams Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas for ‘animal abuse’ at Jodhpur wedding
Celebrity couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas (pictured below) tied the knot in a threeday celebration this weekend, but their nuptials sparked anger from animal rights activists. As pictures from the wedding started to appear on social media, it was revealed that the pair chose to include animals in the ceremonies, as is often the tradition for Indian weddings. A white horse, said to have been ridden by Jonas, was pictured in extravagant traditional dress, while another picture showed a white elephant saddled for two riders. The chief executive of Peta India criticised the couple for the inclusion of animals, accusing them of participating in animal abuse. “Priyanka was ill served by not being advised of the firestorm that would be caused by participating in animal abuse,” Manilal Valliyate said. “It doesn’t make a person look big or glamorous to promote cruelty to animals who have no choice but to serve. It makes them look small. Overwhelmingly, these days, Peta is delighted to see so many celebrities who feel passionately about protecting animals.” The pair are yet to respond to Peta’s statements. Chopra and Jonas were married in two ceremonies – one Christian and one Hindu – on Saturday and Sunday. The celebrations took place at the opulent Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur.