January 2015

MALJA – A RED BULL SPACE:

COUNTDOWN TO OPENING ON JANUARY 30TH

First community hub in the Middle East to support and connect

all types of Art in the most innovative way

Bahrain 18th January 2015-

Nested under the trees at the entrance of Amwaj Islands, Malja, Bahrain’s first open creative space is set to open its doors on January 30th at 4 pm with it’s first show Double tap and live graffiti performances, followed by the opening ceremony at 6:00 pm.

After taking over Al Osra’s old supermarket, creative hands and minds have been working for the past three months to transform this hidden place into a communal location to create, promote and support Arts in Bahrain and the Middle East:

spoon Consultants are leading the design of the 350 sqm multi-functional project space featuring their unique façade installation. The indoor and outdoor space is brought to light by LumenArts Lighting Consultants who are responsible for all the illumination.

Jody Peck [Artist] and Noof Al Refaei [Sikkeh Gallery] contributed with some of the interior featured furniture, while Sara Valente [spoon] andReine Lahoud took lead on the Landscape side.

On the curators’ front, Tarik Omar and Hasan Hujairi are consulting on the sound room equipment and developing workshop ideas related to music and studio production. Meanwhile, Frances Stafford and Yasmin Sharabi art consultants, will manage the annual gallery which will be held in Malja’s main hall.

A team of story tellers are documenting Malja’s coming to life. Behind the camera, JEO’s Productions team of producers and cameramen are capturing every moment from the construction to the people involved.

In photos and writing, Noor Noorudin, Quentin de Pimodan, Melchior de Tinguy and Ali Haji are telling the story of Malja, on the blogwww.maljabahrain.com designed by Maroon Frog.

It will be a place for creative minds to learn, create, develop and perform by supporting and connecting all types of arts in the most innovative way.

For that Malja will be home to:

• RBMA Quarter Tone Frequency Sound Space: 28.5 sqm dedicated for an Electronic Music Production facility and general music usage.
• An Art Room: 33 sqm, room that gives space for special projects, creation and dance groups
• The Gallery:  215 sqm with a stage available to host concerts for up to 250 people and art galleries

Part artist incubator, part gallery and art cultural curator, Malja’s core purpose is to give critical acclaim to involved artists, while breaking down regional barriers as well as financial and institutional constraints between them. It is a place to give artists a space, tools, and intimacy to unleash their creative side.

By mixing these different types of art, Malja wants to offer the creative minds with a unique experience and captivate art aficionados with concepts that take their passion to a whole new level.

On the opening week (Jan 30th – Feb 4th), Malja’s program will feature several artists from different disciplines who will give a sneak peek into the type of programs to expect at Malja.

To learn more about the opening and the full program visit:www.maljabahrain.com and join the conversation on social media;

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maljabahrain

Instagram: @maljabahrain

#Maljabahrain #Bahrainculture

Malja is a non for profit venue and is opened from 12:00pm to 10:00pm 7 days a week. For more information you can call: 32-323-000

Malja partners include: BMMI; Amwaj Islands Management, Batelco, Virgin Megastore, Likwid Productions, Hala Bahrain Show and Time Out Magazine.