Covering interviews with artists, gallery owners, museums and foundations on the impact of the digital in their line of work during these isolating days. Reflected across the art market and educational initiatives, the series unveils some cutting-edge topics, from artificial intelligence to virtual reality in artworks, exhibitions and auctions that has since been accelerated as we embrace current and new technologies.

Welcome to the 'Quaran-themed' Newsletter! Delivering a pocketful of sunshine in writing, video, photography and poetry during these uncertain times. Where are we running to or from these days? Jump into the newsletter highlights and enjoy the latest reads.

Jump into week 7 of the quarantine with Emirati artist Hassan Sharif in his early 1980s performances in Dubai and London! Finding a few parallels to our methodical and rather mundane day-to-days in self-isolation, we are reminded of Hassan’s carefully constructed activities rooted in Fluxus and British Constructivist thought. We sit down (virtually) with his nephew Mohamed Sharif to discuss the role of performance in his uncle’s practice and Mohamed’s archival work at the Artist’s Estate.

Introducing the ‘Artists in Quarantine’ series that is documenting artists from the region who are finding creativity in self-isolating times. What are artists doing while under quarantine in their studio and creative spaces? The series featured in short episodes on Instagram and MEA blog includes photos, short videos and inspiring quotes—opening a window into these artists’ intimate spaces to see how they have been creatively coping.

While unraveling time-warped thoughts one month into the quarantine, Suzy interviews Munira Al Sayegh on her experience curating ‘Bayn’ with UAE Unlimited in 2017. Reflecting on this shared ‘in-between-ness’ sensation, their conversation trails from their personal lives growing up in Abu Dhabi and New York and Munira’s takeaway moments of her first-ever curated show.

‘The Quarantine Files’ series presents of the most inspiring stories of the pioneer Egyptian female artist Inji Efflatoun during her time as a political prisoner in jail from 1959-1963. Including first hand accounts from Inji herself, this article is a story of how bravery, perseverance and ingenuity lead to self-discovery and artistic explorations —all while confined and quarantined within a jail cell. Hope is just as contagious these days - read on.

This April, Suzy shared her ‘story on Instagram storytelling’ in promoting further Middle Eastern art education during Sultan Al Qassemi’s first online cultural majlis. Speakers included HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Vilma Jurkute, Director of Alserkal Avenue; Manal Ataya, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority; Suheyla Takesh, Curator at Barjeel Art Foundation; and Bill Bragin, Executive artistic director of The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi.

In this interview, uncover the stories of Emirati photography Fatima Albudoor on adapting to college life in Boston as illustrated beautifully and intimately in her artist book ‘Making Cathedrals.’  Exploring the sensations of transience, dislocation and the ‘in-between-ness’ of our life journeys, this emotional read is a must during our quarantine days ahead.