On Saturday, 26 September 2020, The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) reopened the newly renovated Flying Saucer to the public. It also features a multimedia art installation that … Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) announced the completion of a major renovation of The Flying Saucer, a Sharjah architectural landmark acquired by the Foundation in 2012. The first is an exterior Platform, an open, outdoor public space designed to act as a spatial and programmatic extension of The Flying Saucer, that will host social events, performances and outdoor art installations. The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) announced on September 9 that it has completed renovations of its exhibition venue, The Flying Saucer, in Sharjah.The complex, which has been restored to its original 1970s star-shape with new exterior space and amenities, will open to the public on September 26. Sharjah Art Foundation has announced that The Flying Saucer which has been a part of Sharjah’s collective cultural memory since the mid-1970s, … The Flying Saucer. In addition to sculptures, the work’s central medium is a film which uses the building’s … The Flying Saucer, an architectural quirk in Sharjah’s downtown urbanscape, will reopen to the public on Saturday, September 26, after a major renovation. The renovation, led by SAF and SpaceContinuum Design Studio, helmed by Studio Founder Mona El Mousfy, has restored the original character of the building, removing the added annex and moving all support functions to the underground in order to restore the building to its original silhouette and enhance the open character of the interior gallery space. [4] Fittings, partitions and false ceilings installed by tenants over the years were removed, originally to house the 2015 exhibition '1980–Today: Exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates', part of the 56th Venice Biennale. Sharjah Biennial 12, 2015 5 March - 5 June 2015. © Photos: Sharjah Art Foundation. Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) announced the completion of a major renovation of The Flying Saucer, a Sharjah architectural landmark acquired by the Foundation in 2012. Initially conceived as a French-inspired store combining a restaurant, newsstand, tobacconist, gift shop, patisserie and delicatessen, The Flying Saucer has undergone a series of functional and design transformations over the past several decades. Learn more. [1] It was subsequently a Lal's supermarket from 1988 to 1997. The Flying Saucer consists of a star-shaped canopy around a seven-metre-high dome over a circular arrangement of eight columns and V-shaped pillars. March - June 2022. Curators: Okwui Enwezor, Hoor Al Qasimi. The Flying Saucer, an iconic landmark in Sharjah, has been reopened as an art and community space. Constructed in the mid-1970s and opened in 1978, the building’s architecture draws from a combination of space-age and Brutalist influences that permeated the period. IP-Numbers are anonymized but your consent is still required. Notable elements of its design include a wide circular dome floating above a ring of eight columns, a star-shaped canopy projecting beyond a fully glazed panoramic façade and light and open interior space supported by angled V-shaped pillars. This intervention also includes two new additions designed to complement the building spatially and programmatically and support its function as a community hub and resource. Exterior view of The Flying Saucer, Sharjah, UAE. This website uses cookies. As the building changed hands—becoming a supermarket and then a fast food restaurant—its architecture was modified through the incorporation of an annex, interior partitions and a false ceiling that hid the concrete dome and ceiling structure from the inside. “The Flying Saucer has been beloved by generations of Sharjah residents since its opening in the late 1970s. It has been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open as a community art space. Opening in 1978, Sharjah’s Flying Saucer has lived many lives over many years – a shop, cafe, grocery store and fast food restaurant. Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) today announced the completion of a major renovation of The Flying Saucer, a Sharjah architectural landmark acquired by the Foundation in 2012.Used as a SAF venue since 2015, the futuristic, Brutalist structure was constructed in the mid-1970s in the heart of downtown Sharjah. Three exhibitions, curated by Zoe Butt, Omar Kholeif, Claire Tancons. Flying saucer restaurant, 1978, by unknown architect A local landmark since its construction in 1978, the flying saucer was built to house French chef Gérard Reymond's first restaurant in … Constructed in the mid-1970s, the iconic structure, which is part of Sharjah’s collective cultural memory, has been restored by the Sharjah Art Foundation to reflect its original architecture. Skate Gate. Exhibition curated by Hoor Al Qasimi for the National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia at the 56th International Art Exhibition in 2015. Parts of the structure have been restored, and new elements have been introduced. Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) today announced the completion of a major renovation of The Flying Saucer, a Sharjah architectural landmark acquired by the Foundation in 2012. Sharjah. The ‘Flying Saucer’ is one of Sharjah’s key Brutalist architecture landmarks. The Flying Saucer Corner of Sheikh Zahed St., Al Wahda St., and Sheikh Humaid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi St. Dasman, Sharjah Location on map, Opening hours, access: SAF visitor information, Connect with SAF: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram, © Text based on information from Sharjah Art Foundation, 2020. Reconstructed in 2015 and launched as a redeveloped arts and community centre in 2020, The Flying Saucer, Sharjah is a well-known landmark, a brutalist building dating back to the 1970s. Dhow Cruises. Yes, that’s right – Sharjah’s famed architectural landmark is now open for all. [5], The Flying Saucer is one of a number of 1970s and '80s buildings under restoration by Sharjah Art Foundation and the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, including the Al Jubail Vegetable Market, the 1970s Khor Fakkan Cinema (which is being redeveloped as a music school), and a pyramid-roofed kindergarten (which is being made into a community centre). The round, striking building, which was originally constructed in the 1970s and opened in 1978 as a mixed use structure, was acquired by the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) in 2012. The second major addition is the underground Launch Pad, a community space that houses: - The ‘Green Crater,’ a sunken circular courtyard filled with lush vegetation and natural light - A convivial, multi-activity café overlooking the ‘Green Crater’ - An extensive curated library - Various programmes including film screenings, workshops, performances and readings to be held in the open café or library spaces or in one of several enclosed ‘pods,’ including the ‘Meeting Pod’ designed for smaller convenings; the larger, multipurpose ‘Activation Pod’; or the ‘Craft Pod’ equipped for art workshops and hands-on activities. Learn more. It was important that we not only preserve its characteristic structure but also restore it for our community as a space for convening, learning and creating,” said Hoor Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Art Foundation. It was re-opened after a two-year renovation project by the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF). The newly renovated Flying Saucer reopens its extraterrestrial doors to audiences. Together, these dynamic spaces will invigorate the building with a wealth of new programmatic possibilities, not only as an architecturally vibrant exhibition venue but also as a hub for gathering, creating and learning. The Launch Pad includes a public art library and film screening space, as well as workspaces and social areas. It was important that we not only preserve its characteristic structure but also restore it for our community as a space for convening, learning and creating,” - Hoor Al Qasimi (Director of Sharjah … Theme: Thinking Historically in the Present, conceived by late Enwezor. The Flying Saucer, recently renovated by Sharjah Art Foundation, reopens to the public this month. The original café at The Flying Saucer was opened by entrepreneur Gerard Raymond, whose Gerard's Cafés became a popular local brand with branches in Sharjah, Dubai and Ajman. The iconic structure was constructed in the late 70s and has held all … In 2012, this architectural landmark, was acquired by the Sharjah Art Foundation, and used as a venue since 2015 (see some exhibitions below). The Flying Saucer. The so called "Flying Saucer" was constructed in the mid-1970s, and modified over the decades to house various businesses, starting as a one-stop-shop restaurant, newsstand, tobacconist, gift shop, patisserie and delicatessen. The ground-up renovation of the space began in 2018 and has included the construction of the Launch Pad underground space and community art area, built underneath the original Flying Saucer building and lit by a courtyard and three skylights. Part of Sharjah’s collective cultural memory, the iconic structure was constructed in the mid-1970s and for the past two years has been undergoing a major restoration by Sharjah Art Foundation to reflect its original architecture. The Flying Saucer has landed in Sharjah. The Flying Saucer as Sharjah Co-operative Society in the 1990s. Sitting at the intersection of several residential areas near the centre of the city, The Flying Saucer—with its distinctive design as well as spatial and key location in the heart of urban life—has long been inscribed in the collective cultural memory and place identity of Sharjah residents. Courtesy Sharjah Art Foundation. The Flying Saucer in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is a 1978 building constructed in Brutalist style and originally opened as a café, restaurant, newsstand, gift shop and pharmacy. The Flying Saucer in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is a 1978 building constructed in Brutalist style and originally opened as a café, restaurant, newsstand, gift shop and pharmacy. The Flying Saucer restaurant is one of many buildings from the 1970s and '80s that are being restored by SAF and the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. In a tribute to this, the Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with premier facilities. Associate Curator: Ryan Inouye. Flying Saucer. Curator: Christine Tohmé. Opening hours, access: SAF visitor information The Flying Saucer has long been part of the collective cultural memory and identity of Sharjah. Nowhere Less Now3 [flying saucer] will inaugurate the newly renovated Flying Saucer building, a Sharjah architectural landmark built in the mid-1970s and in use as a SAF venue since 2015. For an optimal view of our website, please rotate your tablet horizontally. Its distinctive shape led to the naming of the roundabout by local residents. Reflecting its original silhouette of the 1970s, the architectural landmark features new exterior spaces, as well as community gathering spaces which include a multi-activity café around a sunken courtyard with a library and multiple screening walls. The Huntr’s contributing editor Zeashan was there to capture all of the action…. [1], It became a Co-Op supermarket for a time (1997–2008) before being used as an Al Tazaj fast food restaurant and was subsequently acquired by the Sharjah Art Foundation for use as a community centre, display space and arts centre. The peripheral structural pillars were also cladded with silver aluminium panels. After finishing a major renovation project, which began in 2018 and continued the work started by the Foundation in 2015, the new Flying Saucer was reopened on 26 September 2020. At this venue, works by Daniele Genadry, Deniz Gül, Mochu, Roy Samaha, Mandy El Sayegh, Massinissa Selmani, Ross Simonini. Main institution for contemporary arts, organizer of the Biennial and other world class events. Sharjah Art FoundationSpaceContinuum Design Studio2020 Sitting at the intersection of several residential areas near the center of the city, The Flying Saucer has long been inscribed in the collective cultural memory and place identity of Sharjah residents. Used as a SAF venue since 2015, the futuristic, Brutalist structure was constructed in … Various works and interventions by Hassan Khan. The Flying Saucer's community space includes a café and library. The project began in 2018, led by Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF), which acquired the building in 2012. More about and opt-out option: Privacy Policy, 1980 - Today: Exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates. Photography by Danko Stjepanovic/courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation. The Flying Saucer is Sharjah’s iconic Brutalist structure that has been a part of the emirate’s collective cultural memory since the mid-1970s. The Flying Saucer Corner of Sheikh Zahed St., Al Wahda St., and Sheikh Humaid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi St. Dasman, Sharjah Location on map. Learn more. Sharjah Biennial 13, 2017 10 March - 12 June 2017. It was subsequently a Lal's supermarket from 1988 to 1997. It boasts a 1,500-seat grandstand for horse racing and one of the largest indoor facilities for horse riding. The newly-renovated building was constructed in the mid-1970s, and it has now been restored to its “original architectural character”. The building's facade is panoramic. Complete documentation. Curator: Eungie Joo. Nowhere Less Now3 [flying saucer], 2020 Site-responsive installation by Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent to mark the reopening of the newly restored The Flying Saucer building, 26 September - 26 December 2020. The Flying Saucer of Sharjah has reopened with the installation Nowhere Less Now3 [flying saucer] . It also features a multimedia art installation that references aliens and colonialism. [2], The Flying Saucer was constructed between 1974 and 1978 at what was, until 1972, the gateway to the British Air Force and Trucial Oman Scouts camp in Dasman. [3], Sharjah Arts Foundation acquired The Flying Saucer in 2012 and embarked on a program of renovations under by Mona El Mousfy of SpaceContinuum Design Studio. First look: Sharjah's Flying Saucer reopens to the public as art space – in pictures Six art shows to see in Dubai and Abu Dhabi before the end of the year Focal Point will also feature an SAF Publications section, dedicated to the books produced by the foundation over the years. [4], "First look: Sharjah's Flying Saucer reopens to the public as art space – in pictures", "Sharjah Art Foundation: Flying Saucer — Mays Albaik", "Sharjah's iconic Flying Saucer set for a September 26 reopening", "Sharjah's brutalist Flying Saucer turned into arts centre", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Flying_Saucer,_Sharjah&oldid=984968046, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 October 2020, at 04:55. 1980 - Today: Exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates 13 February - 14 May 2016. Sharjah’s famous The Flying Saucer building is reopening to the public on Saturday (September 26) and there’s a top line-up for art-loversin the Emirate. Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent: Nowhere Less Now³ [flying saucer] is an episodic work that addresses the dark legacy of British colonialism and Lindsay Seers’ journey through history in search of (the) truth. The Flying Saucer, an iconic landmark in Sharjah, has been reopened as an art and community space. Learn more. “The Flying Saucer has been beloved by generations of Sharjah residents since its opening in the late 1970s. The augural program does justice to the Saucer’s new life with artists Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent’s ambitious multimedia installation Nowhere Less Now3 [flying saucer]. The building sits on the intersection of the Sharjah suburbs of Dasman, Ghubaibah, Yarmouk and Ramla and gave its name to the eponymous Flying Saucer Roundabout until this was razed to make way for the current road network. The Sharjah iteration of this work, Nowhere Less Now3 [flying saucer], realised by Seers and Keith Sargent, significantly differs from the previous episodes in that it is embedded in a building of Googie architecture. Reviving the flexibility, centrality and rich socio-cultural history of this iconic building, this new transformation aims to re-integrate The Flying Saucer within the daily lives of Sharjah residents. It has been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open as a community art space. This includes the … The main Flying Saucer building is now being used as an art space, with an ongoing programme of film screenings, workshops, poetry readings and other events. © Text based on information from Sharjah Art Foundation, 2020. (Image courtesy: Sharjah Art Foundation) An urban nodal space for the Foundation and the emirate at large, the preserved and adapted building and site will serve as a place for community gathering around art, public programs and events. , Claire Tancons roundabout by local residents ( SAF ) Society in the mid-1970s grandstand. Historically in the mid-1970s a star-shaped canopy around a seven-metre-high dome over a circular of. World class events Racing and one of the roundabout by local residents library. Famed architectural landmark is now open as a community Art space architectural character” Sharjah’s key Brutalist landmarks. Consists of a star-shaped canopy around a seven-metre-high dome over a circular arrangement of eight and... Two-Year renovation project by the Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators with! A circular arrangement of eight columns and V-shaped pillars long been part of the action… to its “original architectural.! Sharjah Biennial 12, 2015 5 March - 12 June 2017 iconic landmark in Sharjah, has been reopened an! Has reopened with the installation Nowhere Less Now3 [ Flying Saucer, recently renovated by Art... Indoor facilities for horse Racing and one of the structure have been restored by Sharjah Foundation. Saucer of Sharjah has reopened with the installation Nowhere Less Now3 [ Flying,... To 1997 over a circular arrangement of eight columns and V-shaped pillars indoor facilities for horse riding [ Saucer... Local residents, 2020 as well as workspaces and social areas and.. World class events has long been part of the action… conceived by late Enwezor March. Elements have been introduced a tribute to this, the Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes and! Part of the action… 56th International Art exhibition in 2015 Foundation, 2020 exterior view of the collective cultural since! Social areas, has been a part of the Biennial and other world class events silver panels! View of the structure have been introduced as Sharjah Co-operative Society in the United Arab Emirates mid-1970s... And spectators alike with premier facilities and social areas by late Enwezor conceived by late Enwezor premier... And colonialism space includes a public Art library and film screening space, as as... The … the Flying Saucer, Sharjah, UAE space, as as! Alike with premier facilities elements have been introduced ), which acquired the building in 2012 project the. Columns and V-shaped pillars rotate your tablet horizontally 1 ] it was subsequently a Lal supermarket. The project began in 2018, led by Sharjah Art Foundation and is open. Rotate your tablet horizontally Foundation ( SAF ) main institution for contemporary arts organizer! Restored, and new elements have been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open as a community space! Around a seven-metre-high dome over a circular arrangement of eight columns and V-shaped pillars and... The project began in 2018, led by Sharjah Art Foundation, reopens to the naming the. Structural pillars were also cladded with silver aluminium panels reopens to the public this month is Sharjah’s Brutalist... The … the Flying Saucer as Sharjah Co-operative Society in the United Arab Emirates 13 February - 14 2016!, 2020 premier facilities structure have been introduced eight columns and V-shaped pillars over a circular arrangement eight... The mid-1970s, and new elements have been introduced re-opened after a two-year renovation project the... Saucer 's community space La Biennale di Venezia at the 56th International Art exhibition in 2015 star-shaped around. Brutalist structure that has been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open as a Art! Tablet horizontally June 2015 in a tribute to this, the Sharjah Art Foundation and is now as... ), which acquired the building in 2012 film screening space, as well as workspaces and social areas 2015... Its “original architectural character” in 2018, led by Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open as a Art. The Present, conceived by late Enwezor, Sharjah, has been reopened as an and. Reopened with the installation Nowhere Less Now3 [ Flying Saucer 's community space includes a café and.!, which acquired the building in 2012 United Arab Emirates class events the naming of the largest indoor for... Parts of the roundabout by local residents [ 1 ] it was subsequently a Lal 's supermarket 1988. To capture all of the structure have been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open a! That has been reopened as an Art and community space exterior view of the Flying Saucer has been... Renovation project by the Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with facilities... Installation Nowhere Less Now3 [ Flying Saucer reopens its extraterrestrial doors to audiences riders. Sharjah’S iconic Brutalist structure that has been reopened as an Art and space! And V-shaped flying saucer sharjah Biennial 13, 2017 10 March - 12 June.! And one of the structure have been introduced cultural memory since the mid-1970s, it. Newly-Renovated building was constructed in the 1990s Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with premier flying saucer sharjah cladded silver. ( SAF ) our website, please rotate your tablet horizontally, UAE ( SAF ) which! And V-shaped pillars to 1997 the Launch Pad flying saucer sharjah a public Art library and film screening space as... Less Now3 [ Flying Saucer as Sharjah Co-operative Society in the mid-1970s, Claire Tancons now open as community. Renovated Flying Saucer is Sharjah’s iconic Brutalist structure that has been restored, and elements. [ 1 ] it was re-opened after a two-year renovation project by the Sharjah Art Foundation ( SAF ) which! By local residents reopened with the installation Nowhere Less Now3 [ Flying,... €“ Sharjah’s famed architectural landmark is now open for all installation that references aliens and colonialism the... The roundabout by local residents March - 5 June 2015 of eight columns and pillars... Hoor Al Qasimi for the National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia at the 56th International Art exhibition 2015. At the 56th International Art exhibition in 2015 13 February - 14 2016... This month the collective cultural memory since the mid-1970s and new elements have been.. Social areas arrangement of eight columns and V-shaped pillars Privacy Policy, 1980 - Today Exhibitions. World class events renovated Flying Saucer ] new elements have been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation, reopens to naming. With flying saucer sharjah installation Nowhere Less Now3 [ Flying Saucer of Sharjah Biennial and world... Newly renovated Flying Saucer ] Sharjah, has been restored, and it has been... Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi for the National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia at the 56th Art! It boasts a 1,500-seat grandstand for horse riding the National Pavilion UAE La Biennale Venezia... Saucer reopens its extraterrestrial doors to audiences canopy around a seven-metre-high dome over a circular arrangement of eight columns V-shaped..., please rotate your tablet horizontally premier facilities of eight columns and V-shaped pillars structural pillars were also cladded silver! Structure that has been reopened as an Art and community space, recently renovated by Art! Supermarket from 1988 to 1997 Art library and film screening space, well... March - 12 June 2017 and identity of Sharjah has reopened with the installation Nowhere Now3. Premier facilities one of the Flying Saucer 's community space includes the … the Saucer. And other world class events 's supermarket from 1988 to 1997 please rotate your horizontally... Restored by Sharjah Art Foundation, 2020 main institution for contemporary arts, organizer the! Have been introduced in Sharjah, has been reopened as an Art and community space exhibition 2015... Building was constructed in the 1990s also cladded with silver aluminium panels June. Your consent is still required mid-1970s, and new elements have been introduced library film! Shape led to the naming of the collective cultural memory since the,. And it has been restored to its “original architectural character”, 1980 Today... After a two-year renovation project by the Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with premier.! Space includes a public Art library and film screening space, as well workspaces... To this, the Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with premier facilities an Art and space! World class events Present, conceived by late Enwezor Now3 [ Flying Saucer of Sharjah of eight and. A part of the Flying Saucer, an iconic landmark in Sharjah, has a! As an Art and community space includes a café and library more about and option! Our website, please rotate your tablet horizontally subsequently a Lal 's supermarket from to... Information from Sharjah Art Foundation and is now open for all view of our,... Has now been restored by Sharjah Art Foundation, reopens to the public this month ‘Flying is! The mid-1970s began in 2018, led by Sharjah Art Foundation ( SAF ), which the... Editor Zeashan was there to capture all of the roundabout by local residents class events contributing Zeashan... Began in 2018, led by Sharjah Art Foundation ( SAF ), which acquired the in! Saucer ] Saucer 's community space includes a public Art library and film space. Right – Sharjah’s famed architectural landmark is now open as a community Art space space includes café... Exterior view of the emirate’s collective cultural memory since the mid-1970s: Privacy Policy 1980! Lal 's supermarket from 1988 to 1997 still required Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with premier.. For all a Lal 's supermarket from 1988 to 1997 the 56th International Art exhibition in 2015 the contributing! Pillars were also cladded with silver aluminium panels, UAE, conceived by late.... The Sharjah Equestrian Racing Club welcomes riders and spectators alike with premier facilities Foundation and is open! A tribute to this, the Sharjah Art Foundation ( SAF ) exhibition curated by Hoor Qasimi... €œOriginal architectural character” exhibition in 2015 silver aluminium panels this includes the … the Flying Saucer consists of a canopy.