Make Music, Not War

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Make Music, Not War

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Published: Fri 1 May 2015, 2:32 PM

Last updated: Sun 26 Jul 2015, 3:37 PM

Make Music, Not War
Every once in a while, you have big name corporations that go beyond the moneymaking business to do something for the good of society - and it always leaves you feeling. happy. Whether it's Viber switching off billing plans in Nepal so survivors can call anyone anywhere in light of the recent earthquake tragedy or Dove releasing regular image-positive videos for women, there's a reason why these initiatives add the intangible value of goodwill to the brand and go viral online.
7UP was the most recent to join that band of do-gooders with The Wall of Music that it launched in Lebanon last month. Installed in Beirut Souks, it painted musical lines over an existing bullet-ridden wall with motion activated sensors that interact with passersby to unleash an uplifting melody of musical notes.
A documented digital film captured people's surprised reactions with the aid of hidden cameras and can be viewed on YouTube.
"We wanted to come up with something that would not only bring a smile to everyone, but also serve as a reminder that you can find beauty and originality in everything," said Carla Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Middle East & Africa. To the folks at 7UP, mission accomplished and well played, guys!
 
Making a Statement
Chopard is set to unveil four high end jewellery pieces in its newest Green Carpet capsule collection at the Cannes Film Festival, taking place next month on May 13-24. Inspired by the iconic Palme d'Or award, the new collection features a design complementing the brand's journey to sustainable luxury.
The Green Carpet capsule collection comprises a jewellery watch, a large pendant, a ring, and earrings delicately crafted from 18ct white Fairmined gold and are designed with the symbolic palm leaves and stem finishing in a heart.
The collection will be available at Chopard and select Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons stores.
For more information, contact: Chopard Dubai Mall at 04-3398333 or Chopard Four Seasons Resort at 04-3855858.
 
 Pulling the Right Strings
Francesco Salamanca is one of the last craftsmen who still creates Sicilian puppets from scratch, completely by hand - and he's in Dubai.
Catch him this weekend and the next (May 1-2 and May 7-9, between 1-7pm) at Eataly Dubai Mall, where the passionate designer will present his collections in antique and 'gold' style edition and demonstrate the handcrafted process of creating traditional Sicilian puppets.
These were puppets used by wandering storytellers in public shows since the 16th century and now one of the most antique cultural traditions of Sicily alive today.
Salamanca's artistic collections have been used for Dolce&Gabbana's advertising campaign and as a special exposition for Costa Cruise.
For more information, call 04-3308899.

Celebrate Street Art
They look like posters. But they're not.
Acclaimed painter Charlie Anderson opened his much-awaited exhibition 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' at the Street Art Gallery in Jumeirah last week - and you can be forgiven for believing the artworks are retro-style posters. As you'll soon discover though, they're paintings, and created artistically enough to fool you into thinking otherwise.
It was a much-awaited show because, as the gallery's marketing director Yelena Swain says, they had to wait a whole year before they could bring the 26-year-old down to Dubai. "His schedule is so packed that we had to wait patiently - but his work is finally here," she says.
Anderson's work celebrates the throwaway nature of contemporary culture by painting images from magazines, flyers, advertising and political campaigns. He paints image on top of image - just like the latest movie posters are slapped on top of the last - and, in so doing, draws parallels to the fleeting nature of life.
Visitors are welcome to Street Art Gallery between 3-9pm. Visit www.streetartdubai.ae for more info.

 Win a Trip for Two
What's a holiday without a hard drive's worth of pictures? The Austrian National Tourist Office understands this only too well, it seems, as they've launched a new game app that enables its users to take fun snapshots of themselves in front of famous attractions on a virtual tour through Austria.
Called Austria Snapshot Adventure, the app uses 'facemapping' technology that allows the user to create a personalised avatar with the user's real face on it, as well as select different hairstyles and outfits (abayas, anyone?).
The game features three modes to test users' skills: hiking in Tyrol, boat-riding in Salzburg, and waltzing in Vienna. The app makers are also offering a trip for two - including a return flight with Austrian Airlines to Vienna and stay in a 5-star hotel - to be won every week till June 14. Simply share or post a holiday snapshot to enter the raffle draw. For more info, visit austria.info/snapshots


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