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Artists from across the kingdom are being invited to create a limited-edition timepiece that celebrates Bahrain as part of a global campaign, writes Mai Al-Khatib-Camille.
Swatch, the official timing provider of Expo 2020 in Dubai, is rallying artists from 194 countries to join their inclusive art project called Swatch Calling.
“We never had artists from Bahrain collaborating with us so this is also an exciting aspect of the project indeed,” said Carlo Giordanetti, Swatch Art Peace Hotel‘s chief executive officer.
In terms of design, the watchmakers are looking for anything creative and original. “The canvas is completely blank for artists to make it their own and celebrate their country. Anything goes!” added Carlo.
All chosen artists will receive a ‘symbolic compensation’ and seven watches made from their own canvas. A selection will also be displayed at the expo.
Expo Dubai 2020 runs from October 1 to March 2022.
The authors of the three most popular canvases at the end of April will also be invited to a period of artistic residency in Shanghai.
To participate, artworks must be submitted to swatch.calling@swatch.com before midnight on August 8. All artwork must be fully executed in .ai or open PDF format, size 420x420mm in 600DPI. Entrants must not work with RGB colour setting.
“We are really excited about the idea to create a truly global art experience, a virtual gallery embracing as many cultures and artistic expressions as possible,” added Carlo. “We trust this project will be contributing to inspire and to encourage talents and will create a new international community around art and freedom.”
