Small But Perfectly Formed

July 4, 2016

Small But Perfectly Formed

Making the Most of a Two-Bedroom El Gouna Apartment

Set in El Gouna’s New Marina, interior design-house YMS (Yasmina Makram Studios) was approached by the owners of a two-bedroom apartment to finish and furnish both indoor and outdoor areas.

The key to the work was the use of materials that would add a modern feel to the home. Concrete and cement finishes were used in all rooms, giving the apartment a cool and relaxed mood.

Leather pieces in solid monochromes perfectly complemented the fabrics used and added character.

The small garden is immaculately adorned with papyrus, and a lap pool with a teak deck is carefully lined up along the garden borders, providing a nice visual extension to the reception area.

About the Studio:
Cairo-based interior design-house Yasmina Makram Studios embraces a design philosophy centred on aesthetics and functionality. Designer, Yasmina Makram Ebeid, draws upon inspirations from different eras, cultures and architectural styles to come develop contemporary designs that define each project's character and blend with its surrounding space.

From concept design to execution, she helps clients realize residential, retail, and commercial projects into spaces that people can connect with emotionally as well as physically.

For more information on YMS and interior designer Yasmina Makram please visit:
www.yasminamakram.com
Facebook: Yasmina Makram Studios

Instagram: YMStudios

Outings & Activities in Sahel This Summer

July 4, 2016

Check out Sahel Real Estate: The Definitive Guide for this year 2018

Outings & Activities in Sahel This Summer

When fleeing a very stressful city like Cairo, spending your summer vacation at the North Coast must be activity-packed and also relaxing. On that note, we’ve compiled a complete list of great activities that will be taking place at the North Coast this summer, for both adults and children.

Almaza Bay

Les Elfes

Almaza Bay is taking over the camping world by introducing Les Efles for summer 2016; Les Efles is one of the biggest names in children and teenage camping. The camp is designed to enhance kids’ creativity, challenge their athletic capabilities, build their confidence, help them take responsibility, and strengthen their teamwork.

Amwaj

This summer Amwaj will span regular weekend events by the pool and at The Bartender venue. The pool and “The Bartender” will be hosting two parties each week. Each party will include two live bands from Egypt’s local scene.

Ciel Beach
Ciel beach will include a touch of El Gouna’s unique restaurants like MazaGouna the famous Lebanese restaurant

The Pool

The Pool area will become one of Sahel’s morning hotspots for pool parties. Each party with host two local DJs including acts like Omar EL Sabh, A-Squared, Marc Wahba, Minus T, and Man-O among others.

The Bartender
The Bartender will similarly host two parties per weekend, hosting around 400 guests, each party with two live bands such as Funk Off, the Cadillacs, and the Meteors Project, as well as Urban themed nights with artists and DJs like Ramie Djunkie and Dubzy & co.

Bianchi

For an unforgettable summer experience, Bianchi combines everything you need in one place while you get to enjoy the ultimate sea-side retreat as a getaway.

WellSpring (Summer Day Camps 6-12 years old)

If you’re searching for something new and beneficial for your kids, WellSpring is the right place. It’s a summer camp that is dedicated to helping youth and families live from the inside out. Featuring a creative blend of character-based programs that help in nurturing and developing strong values.

Elite International Soccer AcademyFor all those who are trying to keep up with an interesting sport like football, Bianchi is featuring the leading soccer academy in Egypt this summer for both boys and girls of all ages. Elite International Soccer Academy is equipped with foreign and internationally certified coaching staff. It offers the highest quality of coaching and tournaments for both adults and youngsters.

IGNITE

No need to worry about your fitness when you’re spending your summer vacation at the North Coast, IGNITE has got you covered. IGNITE will be offering fitness programs that are sure to push you out of your comfort zone.

Diplo

For an unforgettable summer experience in one of the most crowded meeting points in the North Coast… now upgraded to ensure a fun packed summer.

Diplo’s Bazaar Street

Known for its unique bazaar street which features all the big restaurants and brands in Egypt including a fast-food dinning area.

Beach Club House

This year Diplo is offering all kinds of sports in one place, from football, basketball, air-hockey, and beach volleyball to Ping-Pong, billiard, and a kids’ play area.

Hacienda Bay

Lake Yard

The largest food court in the North Coast is Lake Yard by Hacienda Bay, you will find everything you need to spoil your taste buds, from Egyptian, Italian, Lebanese, Mexican, to Asian Cuisines. As for the shopping you’ll find more than one outlet, which offers different accessories and clothes for the beach.
Bayside
Bayside is located in a unique destination on Egypt’s pristine North Coast, hosting daily events, in addition to serving the coolest cocktails.

6IXDEGREES

When hospitality meets wisdom, and desire meets satisfaction, eloquence is born. That’s exactly what 6IXDEGREES is trying to achieve. This summer it will be rocking the North Coast with its weekly parties throughout the summer of 2016.

Beach Fit
For all athletes, Egypt’s leading health and fitness entity, dedicated to offering premium fitness services to both professional athletes and the general public is available at Beach Fit.

Hacienda White

Andrea

You’re missing a lot if you didn’t have the chance to have lunch at the leading oriental restaurant Andrea in Hacienda White. Going back to basics, Andrea is located on a high hill with a spectacular view and delicious oriental food.

Sachi

This summer Hacienda brings us top-rated restaurant Sachi by the Sea. It will be set in a prime location on the beach to meet all you cravings while you chill with a spectacular view.
Artastic Camp

A specialized art camp for children where different art mediums are provided to help children mold their character, motor skills, and encourage their imagination. Artastic camp will be opening its doors this summer starting from the 17^th of July till the end of August.

La Vista

The Avenue

La Vista is opening a bazaar street to meet all your needs like fast-food outlets, restaurants, furniture stores, shopping and much more.

Leap

Leap is the first nursery school serving the North Coast, which teaches kids arts, crafts, gardening and beach activities. They also work till mid-night, so you can drop your kids before an outing.

Fun Makers

Fun Makers is a kids’ park with inflatables for your children to have fun while enjoying the sea.

Alef

For the first time in Egypt, find the novel that will be your companion at the beach, upon reading it; you will be heading back for more books.

LA Vista Cascada

YallaYoga

For the first time in the North Coast, a place that offers yoga and peace of mind, YallaYoga is an innovative social enterprise with both a yoga educational institute and a healthy lifestyle community center, which offers a variety of courses.

Telal

CrossFit Hitters

Train and stay fit by the sea at Telal is with CrossFit Hitters this summer. H.I.T-High Intensity Training- is a fitness based entity that delivers various fitness programs that suit different fitness levels. All training sessions are thoroughly supervised by certified cross-fit trainers.

U-Bistro & Bar
This summer, Telal is raising the bar by introducing U-Bistro & Bar to the North Coast community. U-Bistro will be located on the beach serving us what our taste-buds really need.

Adress book:
Almaza Bay Camp By Les Elfes

Address: North Coast-km37 East Mersa Matruh,Egypt.
Phone: +20 46 436 00 00

Ciel Beach, Amwaj
Address: Amwaj, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 16033

The Bartender, Amwaj
Address: Amwaj, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone:16033

WellSpring, Bianchi

Address: Bianchi, Sidi Abdelrahman

Phone: 01280811185

Elite International Soccer Academy, Bianchi
Address: Bianchi, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01094900892

Ignite, Bianchi
Address: Bianchi, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01222367410

Bayside, Hacienda bay

Address: Hacienda Bay, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone:

Cabanas reservation 01279409700/01279409701
Dinner Reservation: 01279898966

6IX Degrees, Hacienda bay
Address: Hacineda bay, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01276666426

Artastic Camp, Hacienda White
Address: Hacienda White, Sidi Abdelrahman

Phone: 0106695154

Mail: artasticegypt@gmail.com

Leap, La Vista

Address: La Vista, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01013888855/66
Alef, La Vista
Adress: La Vista, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01000026627
YallaYoga, La Vista

Address: La Vista, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01278663371

CrossFit Hitters, Telal
Address: Telal, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01000450010/01001131664
U Bistro & Bar, Telal
Address: Telal, Sidi Abdelrahman
Phone: 01007204094

Summer Time Scenario

July 4, 2016

Necklace – Style Treasure

BRACELET – Hipanema Egypt

NUXE BODY OIL – Ezzaby Pharamacy

Flip Flops – Pink

Cropped top & lace trousers – Mango

SS16 -TOMMY HILFIGER

Sunglasses – H&M

Hat – Zara

Swimsuit – Victoria’s Secret

Bikini Top & Bottom – H&M

Tassel Earrings – Mango

Bikini – Hipanema Egypt

Bikini TOP & Bottom – H&M

Metallic Slides – Zara

Necklace – Style Treasure

Summer Dress – Zara

Hat – Talkinghats

Sarong Towel – Oysho

bEACH BAG –Mebyalia

Lancaster Sunscreen – Ezzaby Pharamacy

Swimsuit – Ted Baker

Mellissa – Ghazl Banat

Bikini TOP & Bottom – Pink

Trikini – Oysho

Dress – H&M

Earrings – Style Treasure

Kaftan – Beymen

Beach bag – Talkinghats

Shorts – Oysho

Bikini BagS – Pink

Dolce & Gabbana Slippers – Beymen

Pier 88 NILERIVER

July 3, 2016

Pier 88 NILERIVER

Talking Food with Giovanni Bolandrini and Giorgio Diana

By Hilary Diack

The launch party of this much-awaited addition to the Pier 88 Group took Cairo by storm at the end of May. One week later, Cairo West Magazine caught up with Managing Partner Giovanni Bolandrini and Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Diana for a candid chat about food, life, the Cairo dining scene, and how he aims to cal this restaurant one of the best restaurnats in Cairo.

Ensconced in a secluded corner of the spacious, sleekly chic restaurant and lounge, we found the ambience eerily quiet, in recovery mode after a hectic few days of the official launch. Bolandrini and Diana, in contrast, were still in high adrenalin mode; chapeau to both of them for being able to stand the pace, scraping by on a few hours sleep.

Had the overwhelming reaction to the launch caught them by surprise, we wondered?

“Sure, we knew it was going to be busy,” said Bolandrini, “but when we found ourselves fully booked for both the early and late seating every day, with a waiting list of around 200, we were put straight into full operation mode. The atmosphere was electric, we have a great element of theatre in Pier 88 NILERIVER, the food is prepared directly in front of the guests so it is a performance in itself.”

The cuisine is predictably top-notch, as we found with the lunch graciously whipped up by the chef himself. Impeccably fresh, sweet scallops came accompanied by baby carrots, asparagus, baby corn and miniscule dollops of an intense dressing and paprika-dusted popcorn. Served with champagne foam, the visual effect was stunning, and the multi-layered flavor sensations memorable. Desserts were shared, how could we limit ourselves to just one when the element of adventure spurred us on? It would be giving the show away if we divulged too much, but rest assured, the tiramisu was a delight, with a sense of fun in the presentation, and the panna cotta proved to be anything but simple. Again, a feast for the eyes, the plate was a masterpiece of sweet textures, fresh and cool, blending with soft and creamy, in a rainbow of colors.

How, we mused, have the guests reacted to this highly innovative Michelin-starred approach to cuisine?

” What we have set out to do is bring the excitement of fashion, my previous field, and transform that into our dishes,” Bolandrini explained. “We transmit the love of what we are doing into our cuisine, and our guests trust us and are willing to venture beyond their normal eating habits.”

The flagship restaurant in El Gouna already boasts a dedicated clientele, and we have no doubt that this new addition to the scene will be the place to dine for the cognoscenti for quite a while. Even better, there are plans under way for another outlet in Giza, so watch this space.

The Beauty & The Brains Behind The Ramadan Hit Nelly wa Sherihan

July 3, 2016

The Beauty & The Brains Behind The Ramadan Hit Nelly wa Sherihan

By Shorouk Abbas and Francesca Sullivan

Catching up with a star of one of Ramadan’s most popular series isn’t easy. Girl in a whirl, Donia Samir Ghanem was happy however to spend a few moments with Cairo West Magazine to give a glimpse into what is going on in her busy life.

CWM: What are the most enjoyable aspects of working on your current series, Nelly and Sherihan?

DSG: Working with Amy, I think that Amy is funniest girl on earth and it is even more fun to work with her every day.

How have your many fans reacted to this series so far? Does it match your expectations?

I think the reaction is unbelievable, people are in love with Nelly and Sherihan and I was really happy to hear that the series is the most viewed so far.

What are you looking forward to doing next?

I think I will take a break for around a month to relax and start planning my next steps, I have a lot of ideas in mind.

Quick-fire round:

Who makes you laugh?

Samir Ghanem

Name one person, dead or living that you would love to meet? This is phrased in a strange way.

My grandmother Now, is she dead or still living?

What is your beauty regime?

Eat less

What is your favorite app?

Instagram

Hisham Gamal

It’s not easy being a teenage entrepreneur. Clients are more likely to tell you that you look like a potential but still very young to trust, rather than invest in your new start-up scheme. Then when against all the odds you finally achieve success, you read in the media that it must all have been through your parents’ money and connections. Very frustrating!

Nevertheless, we needn’t feel bad for Hisham Gamal, singer, composer, movie and TV producer, software development director and founder of the multi-faceted media company Roznama New Online Vision. Feted and acclaimed at a tender age for his numerous achievements, this young man is not just going places, he’s already been to plenty, and is definitely on the business and cultural map for keeps.

His company Roznama (meaning a portfolio of different components bound together) has already scooped up an impressive array of big name clients for its services in social media management, website development and advertising, including Mohamed Henedy, actor Karim Abdel Aziz, companies such as Mercedes Benz, Renaissance Cinemas and huge mobile apps. During Ramadan, Gamal hit the headlines again with enthusiastic acclaim for his advertisement for the Magdi Yacoub Foundation, for which he wrote the music as well as directing stars such as Nelly Karim and Mohamed Hamaki, and appearing himself.

It seems an irony that Gamal, who initially had to convince his parents he wasn’t cut out to be an engineer, is only now studying for a business degree. One would have thought he’d already passed the practical with flying colours!

Cairo West Magazine caught up with him for a candid chat.

CWM: Hisham, how and where were you brought up?

All over the place. We used to live in different countries, sometimes for only two years at a time, so I attended lots of different schools. It wasn’t the best for me as a child as it did not allow me to have long term friends, school or home. I convinced my parents to let me attend university in Egypt as I always felt that Egypt was the place where I would settle one day, but their condition was that I study architecture. My heart wasn’t in it though; I wanted to do business studies.

How did Roznama Art Productions come about?

It all began back in 2009 when I became interested in music production. I started with 5000 EGP and a tiny home studio at a friend’s house. The first album I produced for upcoming singer Hatem Fahmy did not meet my expectations. I was a little bit disappointed, but the experience was invaluable. We were on such a low budget we even manually copied the CD’s one-by-one to sell. Then I met the hip-hop artist Ahmed Mekky and collaborated with him successfully. Later I decided to contact Donia Samir Ghanem to produce her first music album and the music side began to take off from there, and I was also employing people to work on the on-line services.

What were the main challenges for you starting out?

My age! I was making appointments with different kinds of companies and they would tell me "What you are saying sounds really nice ! But we need you to get someone who is older to negotiate with, you’re too young for us to talk to." In the end I decided I’d have to cut my hair and buy a suit in order to be taken seriously. I looked like a kid dressed as a grown-up. But once I started being successful I let my hair grow again and ditched the formal clothes.

I had this crazy need for success; it was 2011, I had no money to pay the employees and the accountants were advising me to stop and give the market six months to see what was going to happen in the country. But I was totally driven and insisted on going on. I gathered everyone together (I had about twelve people working in the on-line software at the time) and told them we could only survive if they took half salary. They all agreed, which enabled me to continue until things began to get better.

What is your musical background and influence?

I’m the only member of my family who is musical (apart from my mother who used to sing me lullabies at bedtime). I play keyboards, guitar, drums and harmonica. My idol and inspiration was Michael Jackson, who I believe had a profound influence on the international music industry as a whole. In Egypt there are two main strands in popular music: mainstream and underground. For me the former is too conventional and restrictive in form, while the latter does not always meet the proper quality in terms of lyrics and music composition. So I like to be in the middle and produce what I call ‘Mainground’ music – containing the discipline and structure of conventional musical composition, but the innovation and creativity of the underground.

When and how did Boyband begin, and what is the concept behind it?

Although there have been group bands in Egypt in the past, they weren’t teenagers. I saw there was a gap in the market for a real boy band; one that that age group would identify with. So about three years ago I started looking for three guys who would cover all the bases, in terms of look, character and talent for sure. We auditioned over 3000 singers and ended up with only two guys, Mohamed Gamal and Mohamed Fouad – so I made up the third.

We have a special contract with Youtube, part of which entails producing a new video clip on the first day of each month. Nine clips have been released so far. I only release music on digital media; nothing else is relevant now.

Tell us about Nelly and Sherihan; how did the series come about?

I already had a working relationship with Donia Samir Ghanem (last year Roznama had an equally successful hit series with Lahfa, also starring Donia and her father Samir Ghanem), and although she and Amy her sister had never actually worked together on screen I thought it would be a great idea. Fortunately they didn’t need much persuasion. The concept (rich girl/poor girl) is an classic one, but we tweaked it to be relevant to a contemporary audience, and it’s been hugely popular thanks not only to the actors but also a brilliant writing team, Mustafa Sakr, Mohamed Azz and Kareem Youssef. Each of the characters has over half a million followers on social media, with viewers rooting for ‘Team Nelly’ or ‘Team Sherihan’. To perfect her character, Donia spent time hanging out with girls from Nelly’s kind of background.

The clip for the Magdi Yacoub Foundation has been a great success. What was the concept behind it?

Usually adverts for charities concentrate on trying to make you feel sorry for victims with distressing images that appeal to peoples’ guilt about not doing enough to help. I wanted the whole feel of the clip to be positive and upbeat with a joyful feeling – after all it’s for a happy cause. I received the lyrics for the song and came up with the melody there and then in my head. It was my first time to direct a clip completely alone and it was quite a surreal experience being there with all those stars thinking, I’m in charge!

What about future directions?

Well, I sing and write music, I produce and direct – and my problem is I can’t decide which I love best. That’s probably my Gemini nature coming out. But actually it’s not good because each one of these requires focus and hard work. Perhaps I need to concentrate on one at a time, but meanwhile I am just enjoying being creative.

Diwan Book Reviews

July 3, 2016

Diwan Book Reviews – Cairo West

July Issue

New Releases

Go Set a Watchman – Harper Lee

From Harper Lee comes a landmark new novel set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor, and effortless precision—a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context, and new meaning to an American classic.

Hidden Oracle – Rick Riordan

How do you punish an immortal? By making him human.
After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.

DORK DIARIES 9: TALES FROM A NOT-SO-DORKY DRAMA QUEEN – Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki Maxwell’s worst nightmare comes true in book nine of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

A certain member of the CCP girls Dork fans know all about has gotten her hands on Nikki’s diary and has decided to share some thoughts of her own…Find out what happens when Nikki’s worst nightmare becomes a reality. Welcome to Mackenzie’s world!!

Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul – Deborah Rodriguez

The brand new novel from the author of the Top Ten Sunday Times bestseller The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul.

The honest, entertaining and life-affirming sequel to The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul, featuring the same loveable cast of characters, from internationally bestselling author Deborah Rodriguez.

In a little coffee shop in war-torn Kabul, five very different women unite for one important cause: to protect the women in Afghanistan.

The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3)

The Last Star is the heart-stopping finale to the bestselling 5th Wave series by award-winning author, Rick Yancey. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner.

The 5th WAVE is now a major film by Sony Picture.

Bestselling at Diwan

The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy

Compared favorably to the works of Faulkner and Dickens, Arundhati Roy’s debut novel is a modern classic that has been read and loved worldwide. Equal parts powerful family saga, forbidden love story, and piercing political drama, it is the story of an affluent Indian family forever changed by one fateful day in 1969.

Inferno – Dan Brown

Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon awakens in an Italian hospital, disoriented and with no recollection of the past thirty-six hours, including the origin of the macabre object hidden in his belongings. With a relentless female assassin trailing them through Florence, he and his resourceful doctor, Sienna Brooks, are forced to flee. Embarking on a harrowing journey, they must unravel a series of codes, which are the work of a brilliant scientist whose obsession with the end of the world is matched only by his passion for one of the most influential masterpieces ever written, Dante Alighieri's The Inferno.

Dan Brown has raised the bar yet again, combining classical Italian art, history, and literature with cutting-edge science in this sumptuously entertaining thriller.

Enchanted Egypt – Pharaonic Adult Colouring Book

Take some time out and travel back in time to the age of the pharaohs, each one of these intricate designs are inspired by the beauty of Ancient Egypt.

Enchanted Egypt is an exclusive Diwan Bookstore publication.

Le Prince – Niccolo Machiavelli

The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. From correspondence a version appears to have been distributed in 1513, using a Latin title, De Principatibus.

Where She Went – Gayle Forman

Adam, now a rising rock star, and Mia, a successful cellist, reunite in New York and reconnect after the horrific events that tore them apart when Mia almost died in a car accident three years earlier.

Sequel to If I Stay.

Create Your Perfect Summer Glow

July 3, 2016

Create Your Perfect Summer Glow

Looking for products that will keep your skin supple and radiant throughout the long hot days of summer? Young entrepreneur and makeup artist Hana Abdel Aziz brings her choice of top products.

Vaseline Cocoa Butter:

This cream works wonders! It is a body lotion cream that keeps your skin soft, especially after a long day of tanning when you need something to cool your body at night.

Bioderma Exfoliating Purifying Gel:

This face wash is the best face wash you’ll ever have! It leaves a light scent on the skin and also contains exfoliating beads so cleanses deeply, leaving your skin smooth and fresh.

Sweet Almond Oil and Geranium oil (Nefertari):

Natural skin care products are the best for anyone's skin. Sweet almond oil and geranium oil come in a 125ml glass bottle and contains 100% natural sweet almond oil and dried geranium leaves and 100% natural essential geranium oil. Use it after a bath and as a massage oil. It leaves your skin feeling smooth and healthy. This is a must have!

Makeup Forever Primer Step 1 Equalizer, Smoothing Primer:

This primer is magic! It makes your facial skin feel softer and smoother. Sometimes during the summer we like to add a bit more makeup to look fresh and different. You add a small amount on your fingertips and put it on in a downwards motion on your T-zone so then when you add your makeup on top, it gives you this radiant, smoother looking skin. Definitely a must have for those summer nights.

Avon Elements Youth Restoring Night Cream:

This cream is great after a long day. Summer is known for sticky hot weather and before you sleep you need something to soothe your face; Avon Night Cream does the trick! It is non-greasy and non-sticky, absorbs quickly, oil-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist-tested.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Blush Pallet (medium to dark):

This product is great! It helps get you achieve that “bronzed look” for the summer. It also works as a contour pallet. It is very versatile, works amazingly both ways. You can also use it on your eyes as an eye shadow pallet too! I mean, what more can you get out of this product? It is a must-have. It gives you a nice sun-kissed, matt-finished look, just the way you like it!

L’Oreal True Match Foundation:

This product is great! It’s neither sticky nor heavy on the skin and blends beautifully, giving a smooth looking finish.

The Falsies Volume Express Mascara by Maybelline (waterproof):

This mascara brings out your lashes beautifully. If anyone is looking for some volume this mascara is for you. The brush is just perfect: not too big and not too small, it is the right size for easy application. This mascara is made for summer and has a natural finish.

Mac Lip liner in “Whirl”:

Are you looking for a certain color that’s not too dark and not too light? Then this is the lip liner for you! You can blend it with any lipstick you want. It is great for those summer party nights and will match any outfit you have.

Deluxe Cashmere Nude Lipstick by Flormar:

This is the lipstick for everyone. This lipstick goes with every lip pencil color you have. You can mix it with your pinks, browns, reds, it is perfect and affordable!

Bio:

Hana Abdel Aziz has always loved experimenting with makeup and sees it as a positive and creative outlet. In her eyes, a person’s face is like a blank canvas and she feels that it is her job to give it life, light and all-round beauty. She loves the confidence it gives her clients.

Social Media Meets Art

June 9, 2016

‘Log In’ Exhibition at Darb 1718

Social Media Meets Art

By Nadia El Dasher

Last October Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, placed a large order with Lego for a politically-influenced exhibit in Victoria, Australia. However when the Danish toy company came back saying that they, “Cannot approve the use of Legos for political works,” Weiwei took to Instagram to dispute what he felt was censorship.

The reaction? He was flooded by responses from fellow Instagrammers who wanted to donate their Lego bricks to the artwork.

Over the past six years social networks have changed the face of the music, film and fashion industries – the art world as a whole is moving towards a more interactive interface. This is a step in the right direction from a straightforward marketing perspective as well as a tool to engage an artist’s audience.

With social media playing a pivotal role in the success of young and established artists, it’s only natural that these same individuals would be inspired by it.

Darb1718’s latest exhibit Log In does just that. Moataz Nasr, of the Cairo-based space, tapped into artists worldwide to create pieces following a social media theme. Darb1718 announced the open call through their own social networks as well as their website and some offline materials

The artists explored the topic of social media from both a positive and negative perspective with some even using technology as the medium. Steven Guermer’s BREAK required the audience to view the artwork through Google Play, transforming a two dimensional image into a virtual 3D one.

Chadi Salama experimented with the intimate side of social media by designing mirrored logos of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the exhibit’s name Objects in mirror are closer than they appear printed just below. The glossy mirrors served as a literal reflection of the audience’s faces – perhaps questioning how much social media platforms are a reflection of our true selves.

The artists designed interactive works and encouraged visitors to participate in the conversation by scanning QR codes on photos and by posting their thoughts of the pieces on social media. The audience was even provided with Facebook-inspired “reaction” stickers to express their feelings about each artist’s work straight onto the walls of the gallery space.

Perhaps what makes social media art most unique is its ability to take every facet of an artist’s work, their spirit and personality, and distribute it to the masses – sometimes introducing it to individuals who might otherwise never come across their work.

Artists, gallerists, critics and curators are reacting to the imminent presence of social media by not only embracing but also incorporating it into their works.

From the ever-trendy Banksy to the subtle visual poems of Robert Montgomery, the age of worldwide connection is heavily upon is. The only question is: How will you react to it?