May 30, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Common Bonds Between LA, Qatar Celebrated At Santa Monica Exhibit Opening:

A diverse crowd of more than 500 lovers of art, culture, and intercultural exchange converged on Monday evening at ADC Contemporary & BUILDING BRIDGES International Art Exchange at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica.

The evening celebrated common bonds between Los Angeles and Qatar. 

Attendees, including local high school students, educators and art aficionados, were invited by Qatar Foundation International (QFI) to experience a mixed media art installation created by American and Arabic high school students who recently participated in an international cultural exchange program in Doha that was facilitated by the organization. 

The art installation ‘Aber: Expressions of Culture, Identity and Language invites Angelenos to imagine a world where decades of misconceptions and stereotypes between two cultures can be broken down and re-imagined through the modern works of young people, unafraid to explore common bonds.

“The fact that the American girls and the Qatari girls came together and (were able to) put all of the feelings that we experienced towards each other into one art piece was really amazing,” said Caitlen Diav, a junior at Granada Hills High School, of the experience. “We got to understand each other and observe our cultures…we let the similarities connect us, so we didn’t pay much attention to the differences.” 

Also on the bill was a powerful, bi-lingual performance by Syrian-American Hip-Hop artist Omar Offendum who is fluent in both Arabic and English and whose 2010, solo release ‘SyrianamericanA’ continues to break cultural barriers around the world.

“It’s a testament to my belief that art is one of the best and most effective ways to build bridges,” said Offendum when asked what inspired him most about the exhibition. “It’s that commonality, that humanity that binds us all – to be able to look past our differences to the things that really connect us.”

‘Aber: Expressions of Culture, Identity and Language will be on display and open to the public through July 13 at Contemporary & BUILDING BRIDGES International Art Exchange.

For more information, visit www.adcbuildingbridgesartexchange.org and www.qfi.org.

in News
Related Posts

Pandemic-Induced Rent Debt Crisis Threatens Housing Stability

May 28, 2023

May 28, 2023

Low-Wage Workers and Communities of Color Disproportionately Affected By Dolores Quintana  Rental debt is an out-of-control problem that has worsened...

Spanish Revival Home On Market For Nearly $20M

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

The Property is Nestled Behind Gates and Features Eight Bedrooms By Zach Armstrong Over top of the Riviera Country Club,...

Santa Monica Ranked One of the Least Affordable U.S. Cities

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Several Metrics Graded on a 100-point Scale to Make the Ranking. By Zach Armstrong The City of Santa Monica was...

(Video) Homelessness Exacerbated by Santa Monica Rail and Bus System

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

The METRO and public bus system has reportedly been a large factor in Santa Monica’s homeless population. @smmirrornews Homelessness in...

Health Advisory: Los Angeles County Health Warns Against Swimming This Weekend

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Public Health Issues Caution as Bacterial Levels Exceed Health Standards  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents...

Women’s Boutique Closing After More Than 60 Years

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Sumiko Started on Main Street in Santa Monica in 1962. By Zach Armstrong Women’s clothing boutique Sumiko is closing after...

With New Metro System, Santa Monicans Can Reach East L.A. Without Transfers

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Riders Could Save as Much as 20 Minutes Going Downtown. By Zach Armstrong The Regional Connector transit project, a 1.9...

(Video) Holey Grail Donuts Embraces Sustainability and Veganism

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Located in Santa Monica, this donut shop embraces high quality food along with sustainability practices. @smmirrornews Holey Grail Donuts in...

Don Victorino Has Spent 28 Years Expertly Cutting Meat For Tito’s Tacos

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

The Restaurant’s Tasty Tacos And Burritos Main Ingredient Is Hand Carved Tito’s Tacos, at 11222 Washington Place in Culver City,...

8th Annual “MAINopoly” Event Taking Place Memorial Day Weekend

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The Event Offers A Delightful Twist On The Classic Board Game, Granting Participants Access To Tastings At More Than 20...

(Video) Student Art Gallery at Santa Monica College Begins May 25

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The second part of Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Student Art Exhibition Starts May 25 @smmirrornews Santa Monica College’s 2nd part...

The Dodgers Reinstate LGBTQ+ Group’s Invitation and Honor At Dodger Pride Night

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence Accepted The Baseball Team’s Apology By Dolores Quintana This morning, The Los Angeles Dodgers issued...

Yoga Studio Event Aims To Inspire Kids To Relax Mind, Body and Soul

May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023

The Event Offers A Range Of Activities Aimed At Inspiring Children’s Fitness And Wellness Goals While Promoting Relaxation. Kids Wellness...

Free Screening of Homelessness Documentary Taking Place at Santa Monica Church

May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023

The Film Follows Four Runners Who Train For The La Marathon While Struggling With Addiction, Homelessness And The Criminal Justice...

As Federal Covid Reporting Comes To An End, LA County Reporting Will Continue

May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023

LA County Will Still Monitor Covid Transmission Trends And Severity  By Dolores Quintana The Federal Covid Public Health Emergency officially...