Swarovski Elements falcon moves to Grosvenor House

Notes and media contacts

About Foresight:
Until recently untreatable, new progress in research means that cures for hereditary retinal diseases could be found. Our aim is to accelerate finding cures for retinal diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa. For some forms of retinal disease treatments are already undergoing human clinical trials but there is still more to be done.

Foresight also supports people with hereditary eye disease and through offering support and information and backing community initiatives helping to improve the lives of people who are visually impaired and blind in the UAE.

Foresight is a UAE-based non-profit making organisation and a branch of Tamkeen. We are a member of Retina International (which coordinates major retinal research internationally), work with Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, and recognised by the Emirates Medical Association and the Emirates Association for the Blind.

About Swarovski:
For more than a hundred years Swarovski, the Austrian family company based in Wattens in the Tyrol, has been the world's leading brand for cut crystal. Crystal jewellery stones and crystalline semi-finished goods for the fashion, jewellery and lighting industries are as much a part of the company's product range as gift articles, home accessories, and collectibles fashioned from faceted crystal.

Swarovski's artistic and design abilities are evident in Daniel Swarovski Paris and Swarovski Jewellery, the company's accessory and jewellery ranges. Since 1995 visitors have been able to enjoy the ultimate crystal experience at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The Swarovski group also includes Tyrolit, which produces grinding tools and abrasives, and Swarovski Optik, the company's optics division, with its precision optics for hunting and nature observation. In 2005 Swarovski achieved group sales of Euro 2.14 billion with a total of approximately 17.000 employees.

About Flight Of Falcons:
Flight Of Falcons is honoured to enjoy the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. The first flock was unveiled in November and are now gracing the streets of the city. As with the previous public art projects in the series, Flight Of Falcons will actively support charities and humanitarian causes. To date the series has raised AED 8.3 Million for charity.

The beautifully decorated falcon sculptures, drawing on the rich cultural heritage associated with the regal falcon or shaheen, which stand nine feet high with a wingspan of more than six feet, are gracing the streets of the city with a splash of splendid colour. Through the support of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME), 25 of the falcon sculptures have been gifted to schools and colleges for students to paint and unleash their creativity. And many of these are now on display along with the first falcons sponsored by companies and individuals in the UAE and created by regional and international artists.

Starting with the Camel Caravan public art programme in 2003/4, this was the first project of its kind seen in the Middle East, combining the interests of government and business with artists and the wider community. The programme gave the city its first ever taste of public art. Two additional projects have meant Camel Caravan is now joined by Celebration Of The Arabian Horse and Flight Of Falcons to complete a trilogy of revered animals of desert cultures in sculptural form. All projects have benefited from education programmes and served as a vehicle for Dubai based businesses to engage with the community and raise large sums for charity.

About ArtWorks:
ArtWorks is a Dubai based consultancy working to enrich the arts and culture landscape in the Middle East. ArtWorks executive staff bring many years experience ranging from financial management and arts education, through to project management and sponsorship. Originally established to manage a series of government commissioned public art programmes in Dubai, ArtWorks has gone on to incorporate a broad range of cultural industry services, and align itself with the skills of a team of Associates and Alliance Partners internationally.

To contact Foresight:
Tel: +971 4 3911443