PUBLISHING PARTNERS

The regions pioneering art & design concept store, Cities hosted an intimate launch event for the first in-store solo art exhibition entitled “Street Art Goes to the Opera”. The who’s who of the Dubai social scene and the elite of the interiors world attended the event at the store in Galleria Mall, to admire the stunning hand-painted work of Greek-American artist Fotis Gerakis who choses skateboards instead of canvas.

Hazem Aljesr, owner of Cities boutique personally welcomed the guests and treated them to a selection of exotic drinks and intricately crafted canapés that match the urban artistic theme of the event. Inline with the street art theme, skateboarders performed tricks on the pavement and on a quarter pipe at the entrance of Cities Boutique giving the event an extra edge.

“The aim of this exhibition was to primarily introduce the unique work of Fotis Gerakis to the region while at the same time, encouraging new forms of artistic expression,” explains Hazem Aljesr, “His showcase is part of a series of events scheduled to take place in the boutique over the course of the year. Such exhibitions are designed to enrich our audience with endless forms of art and design in the relaxed and warm ambiance of Cities Boutique.”

Fotis Gerakins flew in for the occasion and mingled with guests explaining his inspiration behind the hand painted skateboards. The concept is a challenging perspective on possession and identity as it represents an acquisition of a style and medium that is typically used to characterize a specific societal group: the urban youth. With his possession of this medium, and his contrasting approach, he rebrands it as art worthy of being hung in homes and museums.

Visit Cities from April 19 ­ 29, 2015 to catch the

‘Street Art Goes To The Opera’ Exhibition by Fotis Gerakis.