DUBAI // While their efforts may not quite be up to Vincent Van Gogh’s standards, a group of otters in Dubai are showing a surprising degree of artistic talent.
As part of a new attraction at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall, the aquatic animals have been taught to grab a brush in their front paws and paint colours on an easel.
The four male Asian small-clawed otters named Cato, Tiny, Bitoy and Diego will be painting live for visitors until December 30.
The Great Otter Art Exhibition will include interactive presentations by aquatic and marine experts.
Visitors will be able to participate by choosing the colours the otters use in their paintings.
There will also be an art corner where children will be encouraged to create their own works, while an onsite gallery will display all of the otters’ paintings and people will have the opportunity to buy them as souvenirs.
Teaching the otters painting skills is not just about creating art, it is also part of their enrichment training, giving them stimulus to cope with being in captivity.
The otters have also been provided a new playground area within the centre.
Maitha Al Dossari, chief operating officer of the mall’s owner, Emaar Retail, said: “Otters are among the favourite species of the underwater zoo’s visitors.
“With their adorable features and playful personality, it’s easy to understand their popularity.
“As they are active, clever and eager to learn, our qualified trainers have taught them new behaviours that they’ve welcomed with enthusiasm.
“We hope our visitors will enjoy getting to know them better and that they will be impressed by their artistic skills.”
But the attraction has not been welcomed by some animal rights campaigners.
“Why not bring these animals to their natural habitat rather than bringing them to our habitat?” asked Montserrat Martin, founder of Friends of Animals Dubai, which was set up six years ago.
The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kilograms.
They live in mangrove swamps and the freshwater wetlands of India, China, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Their paws are a distinctive feature and allow them a high degree of manual dexterity.
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
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- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
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Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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