Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), has announced the winning project for The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2024.
The winners of the twelfth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award are Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha under the mentorship of Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Dr Christianna Bonin.
Sara Farha is an architectural engineer and urban planner, passionate about material science and designing solutions that address needs, sensibilities, and the environment. Khaled Shalkha is a chemical engineer skilled in solving problems at the intersection of culture, economy, and policy. Together, they founded Datecrete Studio, a material innovation and design studio that merges material science with design. Their studio focuses on developing a patent-pending cementitious material made from date pits containing no concrete or resin.
The winning project, titled Datecrete Bee Hotel, integrates innovative material science with ecological awareness. It uses new building material made from date pits and free of concrete or resin, which the artists are currently patenting. The structure will remain in situ for three months to attract solitary bees, with the process documented on film. The final artwork may combine the sculpture and the film to showcase the interaction between the bees and their habitat.
Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF, said: "Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, and in collaboration with the NYUAD Art Gallery, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award is now in its twelfth year. The award continues to serve as a beacon for the creative industries, fostering innovation in visual arts, sculpture, and art installations. By championing exceptional works in concept, design, and execution, the award aligns perfectly with our commitment to cultivating emerging talent and inspiring the next generation of Emirati creative practitioners."
"I congratulate Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha, the winners of the twelfth edition of the award, for their outstanding project, Datecrete Bee Hotel. Utilising date pits, the winners have created an innovative and sustainable building material – the first eco-friendly cement of its kind. By promoting environmental awareness and preserving natural resources and the local environment, the work epitomizes the award's 2023–2024 vision, which is dedicated to the Year of Sustainability.”
Executive Director of NYUAD Art Gallery and the University’s Chief Curator Maya Allison, said: “Every year, I am inspired by the talent and original thinking of emerging creatives in the UAE, and this year was no different. Datecrete Bee Hotel is an important work that connects material innovation with the natural world. This art and architecture piece embodies the vision of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award, which was established to support the evolution of public art rooted in the UAE.”
Emily Doherty, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award Director, said: “This year marks the twelfth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award, which makes it one of the longest-running art awards in the country and one of the few that prioritises supporting emerging artists in the region. Our winners this year, Sara and Khaled, now embark on an eight-month production period supported by the NYUAD Art Gallery team and their mentor, Dr Christianna Bonin. Their project embodies the evolution of the award towards the production of increasingly considered and mature work by participants dedicated to careers as professional artists. Our sincere congratulations to them.”
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award serves as a launch pad for artists across the UAE. It aims to encourage new artwork and offers winners insight into professional life as an artist, from commission to exhibition. The programme is open to UAE-based students and recent graduates.
