10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

2018 FESTIVAL PROGRAMMEFREE FAMILY FESTIVALLIVE MUSIC • FOODART INSTALLATIONPARADE OF COLOURSDANCE PERFORMANCES • FUNFAIRWILLEN LAKE MK15 9HQ

30 JUNE 1-7PM

/mkiac /wearemkiac ArtWillen

At The Lake

Art at The Lake 2018 3

Welcome

Thank you for joining Art at the Lake! One Journey: Connecting Communities.

Art can bring communities together. For ten years, Islamic Arts Heritage and Culture has hosted a vibrant arts and culture festival in Milton Keynes, drawing thousands of local people of various backgrounds and nationalities. Last year, our Art in the Park festival attracted over 14,000 people who enjoyed and interacted with performances, activities, exhibitions and displays, many reflecting that year’s theme – migration. New friendships were formed, diverse communities enjoyed showcasing their amazing heritage and greater understanding was achieved, all through art.

For Art in the Park 2018, our theme is the environment and the programme has been designed to offer attendees opportunities to reflect on the many facets of our environment, both social and ecological. Exciting guests and performers will be joining us and visitors will interact with arts and cookery activities and explore incredible artistic creations from around the world.

Islamic Arts Heritage and Culture organisation also aims to contribute to the cultural experience of Milton Keynes, and promote cultural tourism in our city. Through increased understanding and greater mutual respect for one another, we also hope to build new bridges and develop community cohesion through our shared journey.

Our organisation places the highest priority on ensuring that all of our activities are accessible and engaging for those with disabilities and special needs, so that everyone has the chance to participate fully in our events. Art in the Park 2018, for example is thrilled to welcome internationally renowned artist Rachel Gadsden, an artistic pioneer and champion of disability arts.

Alongside Rachel, the Festival will feature stunning performances from the breath-taking D&F Brothers Grand Indian Circus, the inspiring virtual reality experience Future Aleppo and a celebratory procession – a Parade of Colours led by festival arts company Route Canal, as well as so much more.

Art in the Park 2018 is for everyone, bring your friends and family and discover the richness and vibrancy of our diverse city.

Anouar Kassim MBE

Founder & Director of MKIAC

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Programme

TIME PLAYING

13.00 – 13.20 Caribbean Steel Band

13.25 – 13.40 Ayan De First and Oduduwa Talking Drummers

13.45 – 14.00 Chinese Fan Dancers

14.00 – 14.20 Fire Demo by Buckinghamshire/Milton Keynes Fire Services

14.20 – 15.00 London Syrian Ensemble

15.00 – 15.15 Parade of Colours

15.15 – 15.55 D&F Bros. Grand Indian Circus

15.55 – 16.30 Yemeni Folklore Performance

16.35 – 16.50 Eternal Taal

17.00 – 17.20 Rihab Syrian Oud Performance with SBE Students

17.25 – 17.40 Urja Thakore

17.45 – 17.50 Hiddo iyo Dhaqan

17.55 – 18.20 D&F Bros. Grand Indian Circus

18.20 – 19.00 Simo Lagnawi - Gnawa Moroccan Folklore Group

The BBQ Adventure to Inspire the senses and supporting sustainability 1pm - The Inspirational Smoking Master Chef Rob Kennedy Salmon - Plank smoked – Kabayaki glaze – charred greens – ginger dressing Potato - Milk roasted and crushed – caper dressing – loads of herbs – caramelised onions

1.45pm - First Students Challenge – Supported by Anglia Free Range Eggs Tasty free range 2 egg Omelettes on a BBQ

2pm - The Hot - Tony (Elvis) Oxley - MCGB Simple fish - cooked and spiced

2.45pm - Second Student Challenge - Lift - Sniff and Taste Teams in Pairs - 1 Blindfolded - 1 speechless

3.15pm - The Brilliant Adam Lestrelle Showcasing that vegetables and salads are still welcome at the BBQ

4pm - Final Student Challenge The Surprise product challenge - who will get whose ingredients?

5pm - Student Challenge Presentations

5.15pm - The Prince of Hot & Cold Smoking Dennis Mwakulua The art of spice - smoke - flavour and Passion on a BBQ

6pm - The Return of the Broil King Kennedy Spice and Easy Outdoor Cooking! Chicken - Spiced breast – coconut cream – toasted almond – Sprite Bread Banana - Skin baked – toffee sauce – hazelnuts – thick cream

6.45 - Your Turn to be inspired the Public - HAVE A GO ON THE BROIL KINGS!!!

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The Art of Food

Hilly Edwards is a psychologist, artist and a member of the International Felt Makers’ Association. She has travelled around the world studying different cultures and the history of felt. Felt is thought to be the oldest fabric known, and has been made for about 7000 years. Many cultures have a vibrant tradition of felt-making, for clothes, boots, bags, blankets, carpets, tents and art work. These include Pakistan, Central Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Iran, Russia, China and Turkey. It is a renewable and biodegradable resource.

Future Aleppo is a Virtual Reality experience based on the inspirational work of Mohammed Kteish: Having witnessed the destruction of his beloved home city, Mohammed resolved to preserve Aleppo’s monuments and landmarks using whatever materials he could salvage amongst the debris. Before long, the aspirational architect had created a restored version of the city filled with the memories and dreams of inhabitant.

Art Marquee – Artist in ConversationOne Journey: Connecting Communities

Alex Pearson – Future Aleppo a digital wonder

Hilly Edwards - Using natural material & Journey of Felt

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Art Marquee – WorkshopsOne Journey: Connecting Communities

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Alex Pearson – Future Aleppo

As part of the project’s outreach, we encourage children all over the world to emulate Mohammed and re imagine their own cities before crafting them from paper and other familiar materials before turning them into their very own Virtual Reality City.

Samir Malik & Maryam Smit – Calligraphy Dome

The Dome represents One Journey: Connecting Communities, enriching lives through arts and culture. The Dome uses natural themes of the environment and embraces the Islamic Art of Geometry, Calligraphy and Scripture. Samir Malik a talented artist, calligrapher and designer, supported by Maryam Smit MKIAC resident artist have combined their artistic skills to create this breath taking installation. Members of the public will be able to participate by painting canvas panels to complete the work.

Maliheh Zafarnezhad – Persian Illuminations

Maliheh Zafarnezhad is an Irish-Iranian Artist. Her work explores the disciplines of Persian poetry manuscript. She has an MA in History of Art and Architecture in which she specialised in Persian, Islamic and Renaissance arts. Maliheh was recently shortlisted for Behnam Bakhtiar Award, an international award for Iranian artists based all around the world.

Ka-Yee Kung - Chinese CalligraphyChinese characters have accumulated over 3000yr of evolutionary pictorial and philosophical wisdom and is the only ancient

language that is still actively used. Chinese Calligraphy is a combination of visual art, technique, precision and mindful Zen practice. Practicing calligraphy can quiet our busy mind and let stillness resonate word meanings in our hearts.

Jane Charles – Embroidered Tales & Woven Dreams

“A story of communities with a long history of beautiful textiles whose lives are directly impacted by climate change.”

These workshops reflect upon the ongoing changes in our environment and shared future. The community project brought together abstract and traditional ideas for the exhibition.

Women from diverse communities participated in a series of workshops with textile artist Jane Charles and our resident artist Maryam Smit with a range of art mediums including, printing, batik, needlework and machine sowing to produce individual patches to be sewed together to form a large textile quilt inspired by Islamic geometry.

Helen den Dulk - Illuminated Tree Twirls (Seed of Life)

Helen is a Milton Keynes based artist born in Australia. Using her favourite range of warm forest colours of reds, golds, greens and browns she sews and crochets objects which break away from the conventional ways of making with fabric and fibre.

Supported by our resident artist Maryam Smit, the installation of the illuminated twirls will reflect Islamic inspired sacred geometry based on the Seed of Life.

The weekly walks in the park helped inspire the women from local communities to make decisions about the colours, shape and ‘movement’ of their twirls and the tree sculpture as a whole. By incorporating their cultural signature into their twirl, individuals and as a group, discovered that the lights themselves have spiritual significance, representing aspects of their personal journeys.

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Art Marquee – Exhibition One Journey: Connecting Communities

Hilly Edwards - Felt Hanging: Hiyat (Flower of Life)

The curtain of felt leaves and flowers were handmade by women in Milton Keynes, at artist led weekly workshops throughout April. The felt hanging is a celebration of the spring environment of Howe Park Wood inspired by Islamic craft traditions.

Felt making is a slow repetitive process using sheep’s wool fibres dyed in different colours.

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Maryam Smit – Flower of Life Grid Design

Using the felt leaves and flowers produced by the women, Maryam Smit designed the grid for the installation.

The grid reflects Islamic inspired geometry based on a hexagonal mathematical pattern.

D&F Bros. Grand Indian Circus 15.15 – 15.55 AND 17.55 – 18.20

D&F Bros. Grand Indian Circus has been specially created by Rhythms and Ragas in collaboration with Access All Areas and 30ips for touring in 2018 to celebrate Circus250, marking the 250th anniversary of the World’s first circus appearing in London in 1768.

Rajasthan is home to the most elite of street circus performers; this fascinating region’s legendary entertainment communities combine their amazing skills - with optional live musical support from the World famous Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band- in performing breathtaking acts of courage and bravery. Preserved over many centuries from the time of the Maharajas, they take this ancient, mystical and magical circus format to even greater heights.

The cast of dancers, illusionists, aerialists, acrobats and rope walkers, with the eye-watering displays by their fakir, present a colourful, vibrant, fast-moving extravaganza of intrigue, drama, feats of daring, music, laughter and surprise.

Ayan De First and Oduduwa Talking Drummers 13.25 – 13.40

Ayan De First and Oduduwa Talking Drummers have taken African culture and heritage from local level to mainstream at greater height.

Nigerian folklore performances include many kinds of folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide.

Eternal Taal 16.35 – 16.50

Eternal Taal are an award-winning female group of dancers and dhol drummers who perform in traditional Punjabi suits. They have played on some of the world’s biggest stages including Glastonbury Festival, Bollywood, and the Graham Norton Show.

Festival Highlights

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London Syrian Ensemble 14.20 – 15.00

LONDONSYRIANENSEMBLE

The London Syrian Ensemble is a collective of some of Syria’s finest musicians. They encapsulate the sounds of Syria through a diverse repertoire of classical and traditional music from the region.

Gnawa Moroccan Folklore Group 18.20 – 19.00

Gnawa Music is an ancient North African spiritual songs and rhythms. Its well-preserved heritage combines ritual poetry with traditional music and dancing.

This fantastic trance spiritual shamanic drums & meditation sounds will be delivered by Master Simo Lagnawi and his band. They have performed in Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Latitude and Boom Town to name a few.

Parade of Colours 15.00 - 15.15

We are setting off for the best multi-cultural parade Milton Keynes has to offer. The ‘Parade of Colours’ is part of this years ‘Art at The Lake’ festival 2018.

Processional celebrations are on Saturday 30th June 2018. Join in and be part of the festivities.

Hiddo iyo Dhaqan 17.45 – 17.50

Somalia has a rich musical heritage and a wide range of diverse dances centred on traditional folklore. Our local young people will be performing these ancient dances.

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2008

2009

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2011

2012

Dr Ahmed Moustafa International renowned in the field of Islamic art, and his special position as a British Muslim artist. Ahmed has had special pieces commissioned by the likes of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Vatican. His work is held in many private collections, prestigious institutions and museums worldwide.

Aashiq Al-Rasul (AAR)Aashiq Al-Rasul are an all-male ensemble that are passionate about delivering the fundamental of tolerance and harmony through a universal of rhythm and melody

Peter Sanders – Art of Integration Exhibition Peter Sanders is the world’s pre-eminent photographer of the Muslim world. For more than 45 years, he has captured over half a million images reflecting a rich traditional civilization filled with warmth, humanity and compassion.

The Yemeni Musical Folklore Group Musicians from different parts of Yemen perform combinations of voice, oud, drums and percussion instruments to highlight the rhythms in subtle expressive ways.

eL Seed eL Seed is an international artist who has collaborated with Louis Vuitton and whose art adorns walls across every continent. Weaving together traditions from differing artistic spheres. He is known for his symphonies of colours and shapes. Classic wild style graffiti techniques spell out letters from the Arabic alphabet.

Julian Breton - Luminous CalligraphyBreton forms each composition using hand-held illumination and long-exposure photographic techniques, capturing a dynamic floating light forms that maintain a direct relationship with the natural surroundings.

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10 Years TimelineCelebrating 10 years of Art In The Park

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Silkroad – Faraz YousufzaiSilkroad are a fusion of Folk Rock and Indian Beats. Their sound combined with MK City Orchestra created beautiful harmony.

BBC Chef Cyrus Todiwala OBEIn 1991, Cyrus came to London to run the Namasté restaurant where he developed his trademark style. He was one of the team involved in the NHS Better Food Programme chaired by Lloyd Grossman.

Rachel Gadsden Rachel is a British artist who is known internationally and works across the mainstream and disability art sectors, presenting cross-cultural visual dialogues that consider the most profound notions of what it is to be human.

Bidisha – Artist in ConversationBidisha is a broadcaster, critic and journalist for BBC, Channel 4 and Sky News. Specialising in international affairs, social justice issues, arts and culture, and international human rights.

50 Gold Al BaladLondon arts collective RARA has been commissioned to create an art installation that celebrates the city’s anniversary. Al Balad is known as ’the city’ in The Quran, a free place where one’s open mind and bravery dissolves life struggles.

Maya YoussefMaya is an accomplished Kanun player of Syrian heritage. Her innovative approach to playing this traditional instrument has propelled her to international stardom and was presented in 2012 The Exceptional Award.

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Salam Digital Wall (Left)

Barakah Blue, Haji Noor, Peter Sanders & Peter Gould (Right)

14 Art in The Park 2018Ruh Al-Alam – Art of the pen (2015)

Future Sponsorship and Partnership If you would like to support MKIAC to deliver next year’s festival or another event in our annual programme, you can contact us at info.mkiac@gmail.com

Thank you! This festival would not have been possible without the support of all our funders, collaborators, delivery partners, volunteers and work experience students. A massive thank you to every one of you for playing your part in facilitating this event. It is beautiful seeing the community coming together and celebrating our diverse cultural heritage.

Register here to see our official photos taken by Karen Kodish Photography: www.bit.ly/artatthelake18

Donations Welcomejustgiving.com/crowdfunding/artinthepark

A SAÏD FOUNDATION PROJECT

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

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Supporters

Help Us Build Blessed Futures

www.launchgood.com/project/mahabba_wedding

Please donate to our campaign so we can bring Mahabba into fruition helping couples organise

their weddings with ease and blessings.

Every little counts:

Mahabba Wedding is a mobile-friendly web app to manage wedding invitations with ease, style – and a twist.

The beauty and baraka of marriage, simplified

Help Us Build Blessed Futures

www.launchgood.com/project/mahabba_wedding

Please donate to our campaign so we can bring Mahabba into fruition helping couples organise

their weddings with ease and blessings.

Every little counts:

Mahabba Wedding is a mobile-friendly web app to manage wedding invitations with ease, style – and a twist.

The beauty and baraka of marriage, simplified

Help Us Build Blessed Futures

www.launchgood.com/project/mahabba_wedding

Please donate to our campaign so we can bring Mahabba into fruition helping couples organise

their weddings with ease and blessings.

Every little counts:

Mahabba Wedding is a mobile-friendly web app to manage wedding invitations with ease, style – and a twist.

The beauty and baraka of marriage, simplifiedHelp Us Build Blessed Futures

www.launchgood.com/project/mahabba_wedding

Please donate to our campaign so we can bring Mahabba into fruition helping couples organise

their weddings with ease and blessings.

Every little counts:

Mahabba Wedding is a mobile-friendly web app to manage wedding invitations with ease, style – and a twist.

The beauty and baraka of marriage, simplified

How to find us & event map

What do you think?We would be delighted to find out your highlights from this year’s festival! Share your experiences and photos with us by email or get in touch on social media:

/mkiac /wearemkiac ArtWillen info.mkiac@gmail.com If you would like to find out about future events and activities organised by MKIAC, keep in touch by joining our newsletter. Sign up at www.bit.ly/ArtMKNews

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Ladies Toilets

FireDisplay

Info tent

Hand wash

Food stalls

PoliceDisplay

Fairground

Men’s Toilets

Stage & screen

Indian Circus

Community tables tent

Art Tent

Tea Tent

Theatre Kitchen

Location: Willen Lake MK15 9HQ

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