Possible Demonstrations in Kuwait – October 31, 2012

Subject:          Demonstration Notice 14-2012

Possible Demonstrations in Kuwait – October 31, 2012

 

According to press reports, there may be several demonstrations this evening, October 31, 2012, following Maghreb prayers. Possible demonstration sites include the following:

 

·         Junction of Al-Sahafa Street and Airport Road (Route 55), across from the Al-Tali’a newspaper;

·         The diwaniya of Musallam al-Barrak, Al-Andalus, block 5, street 10, house 52; and/or

·         The Palace of Justice in downtown Kuwait City. 

 

An increased police and security presence is expected.

 

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  Please avoid areas where demonstrations occur or are planned and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings.  Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times. 
U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://step.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).   For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.govwhere the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found.  In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. 

 

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer. 

 

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov.

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for 2012 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

Romney's Storm Tips

Demonstrations in Kuwait – October 21, 2012

Subject:           Security Notice for U.S. Citizens 13-2012

Demonstrations in Kuwait – October 21, 2012

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all U.S.  Citizens within your area of responsibility.

According to press reports, there will be demonstrations in multiple locations and a march towards the Seif Palace dubbed “National Dignity March” this evening starting at approximately 1930 hours, Sunday, October 21, in downtown Kuwait City.  An increased police and security presence is expected in and around the capital.  The Ministry of Interior states the demonstrations and National Dignity March are unauthorized and that they will respond to participants according to the law.

Spontaneous and/or planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  Avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.  Please stay current with media coverage of local and regional events. U.S. Mission personnel have been advised to continue to practice personal security awareness and we advise the U.S. citizen community to do the same.

The below Arabic language map, obtained from the internet, purports to indicate where the organizers intend to demonstrate and march.  The map has been translated to English.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://step.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).   For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found.  In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook. 

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer. 

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov.

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for 2012 is posted onhttp://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

Reflections on Occupying the American Art Curriculum

 Inheriting Salt, Ernesto Pujol, 2008

Interesting read, especially important to some of us that are part of the problematic system of "young Arab artists... increasingly trained by western visiting professors..."

Sulfur in the Morning… Reflections on Occupying the American Art Curriculum

Ernesto Pujol

...The West is unleashing something in the East, and it must be accountable to the young Arab artists it is increasingly recruiting. These artists are increasingly trained by western visiting professors or migrating to and studying in the West, crafting their first portfolios and projects there, most of which challenge the status quo back home...

ArteEast - Arts and Cultures of the Middle East and its diasporas |

arteeast.org

ArteEast, a New York-based international nonprofit organization established in 2003, supports and promotes artists from the Middle East and its diasporas by raising awareness of their most significant and groundbreaking work through public events, exhibitions, screenings, a biennial film festival, a...

Video of Sulfur Gas leakage and blast in Kuwait

Video of Sulfur Gas leakage and blast in Kuwait

Sulfur Gas leak in Kuwait!

Now I know what was that strange sickening smell at the art opening this evening in downtown Kuwait!  Gas leak at one of the oil fields this evening... make sure you do not light a candle to help get rid of the smell. Turn on the fans to help ventilate, apparently the gas can be toxic....

Deadly toxic gas spreads across Kuwait after leak - Firemen manage to contain escaping hydrogen sulfide 

Complete Second Presidential Debate and Town Hall 2012: Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney - Oct 16, 2012

Complete Second Presidential Debate and Town Hall 2012: Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney - Oct 16, 2012

The second presidential debate and town hall between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama in the run up to the general election in November. Watch full coverage at n...

Gangnam Style hits Kuwait!

Today at the American University of Kuwait (AUK): our students dance Gangnam Style ( I promise that I had nothing to do with this! ) 

"Out of Kuwait" exhibit opens 7pm on October 17 @ Museum of Modern Art, Kuwait

Contemporary Art Platform is pleased to invite you to:

"Out of Kuwait" exhibition - Wednesday 17th of October 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Museum of Modern Art, Kuwait.

CAP, British Council Kuwait and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, will celebrate "Out of Kuwait" who brings together the work of twelve Kuwait-based artists who have examined and reinterpreted the theme of landscape art during a one month artist residency programme called Landscapes Expanded. The exhibition presents the artists’ analysis of their everyday surroundings and comments on the social, political, and physical landscapes of contemporary Kuwait.

This unique opportunity was inspired by the best of Britain’s Landscape artists, whose work is seen in the British Council’s Out of Britain exhibition currently open at Contemporary Art Platform Kuwait. The programme has given artists living in Kuwait the chance to explore contemporary issues related to site, space and place in their field of work.

Landscapes Expanded was open to candidates from all creative and academic disciplines with the understanding that this would create a trans-disciplinary forum for thinking and working. Each participant’s expertise and experience in their own field helped to inform the work generated by the rest of the group. For individuals outside of formal education this type of stimulating platform is rare. Led by artist and curator Alia Farid Abdal, who explores personal perspectives of public space and constructed landscapes in her own art work and academic research. Participating in the programme are architects Aziz Al Humaidhi and Roa AlShaheen, architecture undergraduate Amani Adel Al Thuwaini, spatial designer Aseel Al Yaqoub, Religion, Literature and Arts graduate, Nima Algooneh, English Literature graduate, Zahra Al Mahdi, jewellery designer, Muneera Al Sharhan, painters Lewis Chapman and Eman Musallem, English and American Literature graduate Faisal Hamadah, journalist Naser Al Wasmi, and Middle East Studies graduate, Ceyda Oskay.

different rules for different classes IS class warfare...

Thanks The Progress Party for the share!

Paul Ryan spends 'minutes' volunteering at soup kitchen...

The 'charity' of the GOP ("just came here to get his picture taken," says the head of the charity).

Paul Ryan's staged soup kitchen photo-op... the video:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50133186n

Paul Ryan makes unauthorized stop at soup kitchen

GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan on Saturday stopped at a soup kitchen in Youngstown, Ohio, where he and members of his family washed dishes for several minutes. The head of the charity has since come out saying Ryan's visit violated the organization's apolitical status, and that Ryan "just came in here to get his picture taken."

Kuwaiti artist Monira Al Qadiri's 'A Legacy of Corruption Confronted'

Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE)

From the incredible Monira Al Qadiri!

Kuwait: A Legacy of Corruption Confronted - Creative Time Reports

creativetimereports.org

DispatchKuwait: A Legacy of Corruption ConfrontedByMonira Al QadiriKuwait City, KuwaitOctober 15, 2012TweetEmailFollowing last week’s dissolution of Kuwait’s parliament, thethird in less than a year,a former MP announced yesterdaythat more details about a longtime bribery scandal will be disclosed. ...

rumors of violent clashes in Kuwait tonight...

Hearing rumors of violent clashes taking place between protesters and special forces in Erada Square, Kuwait tonight, "Clashes were happening... and protesters were throwing barricades and shoes on the special forces."

Two Journalists From The Al-Qabas And Al-Shahed Dailies Were Reportedly Involved In Hand To Hand Fight While Covering The Sit-In At Al-Erada Square, KUWAIT CITY, Sept 11, 2012

3 exhibit openings tomorrow in Kuwait!

Despite Kuwait having a relatively small art scene, tomorrow October 14, three exhibitions are opening all in different parts of the city:

1). First solo exhibition of Ayman Hassan's Arabic calligraphy (my calligraphy teacher!). Opening ceremony will be on October 14th in Ahmad Al-Adwani Hall in Dhahiyat Abdullah Al-salem. Click here for a map to the location.


2). Dar al Funoon Gallery: October Collection
Dar Al-Funoon cordially invites to preview of The October Collection, featuring works by Shahriar Ahmadi, Jamal Abdul Rahim, Halim El Karim, Sinan Hussein, and Mohammed Abou El Naga. Preview starts Sunday ,14th October...

3). Boushahri Gallery: Exhibition of Kuwaiti artists Hameed Khazaal and Fadhel Al Abbar
Exhibition of two Kuwaiti artists Hameed Khazaal and Fadhel Al Abbar Opening on Sunday, 14th of October, 2012 at 7pm...

'Garden of Curious Delights' exhibit photos and info...

Here are a couple of photos from the opening (thanks to Denis Sargent), and a link to the gallery guide:  http://www.villaterracemuseum.org/documents/GardenofCuriousDelightsGGFinal.pdf

Garden of Curious Delights 

Sept. 27 - Jan. 13, 2013

This group show featuring work by Marna Brauner, Christopher Davis-Benavides, Hai Chi Jihn, Cima Katz, Denis Sargent, Maria Tomasula, and Jan Ru Wan plays off the idea of the garden as a collection of specimens, much like 16th century cabinets of curiosities.

Kuwait emir dissolves parliament again, the fifth time since 2006.

Protesters in front of the Kuwait Parliament Nov. 28, 2011. Photo by William Andersen

Kuwait emir dissolves parliament

www.bbc.co.uk

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolves the country's parliament, paying the way for snap elections, state media say.

Sharjah Art Foundation exhibit opening tonight at 8pm, works by Heman Chong, Dirk Fleischmann and Jun Yang

Join the Sharjah Art Foundation tonight at 8pm, Bait Al Shamsi, Arts Area, Sharjah for the opening of Pilot Micro Multiplex | Mall - an exhibition of works by Heman Chong, Dirk Fleischmann and Jun Yang that transform Bait Al Shamsi into a small shopping centre or 

micro mall. Combining the cultural and commercial - two apparently conflicting perspectives on value - this show addresses aspects of production, distribution and reception to reflect on the roles of presentation and promotion in contemporary artistic practices.

Pilot Micro Multiplex│Mall will consist of three projects: two working shops (Dirk Fleischmann's 'myconceptstore' and Heman Chong's 'LEM1' Science Fiction and Fantasy bookshop) and a proposal for an open-air gathering and screening space by Jun Yang. Together these interventions will emphasize the juxtaposition of an exhibition space with a commercial space as a means of questioning conviviality and value in relation to understandings of public space, cultural engagement, and commerce.

Opening Events include:

Paris Syndrome: screening of Jun Yang’s short film with an introduction by the artist

Stop Show: Open to everyone! Sign up on arrival to participate in Dirk Fleischmann’s game show where contestants compete to be the 

best at timing 10 seconds.

For more info:  Sharjah Art Foundation

FA Gallery opening reception tonight 7pm

Exhibition opening reception tonight at 7pm, featuring artwork of young Kuwaiti artists such as Dhari Al Qabandi, Jena Al Awadhi, Bashayer Al Shamari, Muneera, and the Artronauts!

FA Gallery: Without Boundaries Exhibition

www.artkuwait.org

Monday, 1 October, 2012 at 7pm Exhibition features works of 4 young Kuwaiti artists: Dhari Al Qabandi, Jena Al Awadhi, Bashayer Al Shamari, Muneera & Artronauts Tel: +965 22 49 8999 Address: Sharq, Block 2, Gulf road, Villa 76, next...