UPDATED ON:
Saturday, September 27, 2008
20:41 Mecca time, 17:41 GMT
 
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Artsworld - DNA art



From a glassblower in Tunisia to artists in Tanzania; from kite makers in Japan to tribal music in Borneo, Artsworld tells the stories of people whose talent brings beauty and colour to the world.

In video



Watch last week's show


We look at how people across the globe are using the arts to bring about social change in their communities, highlight injustice and provoke political reform.

Al Jazeera's new series brings you the stories that allow for a greater understanding of one another's cultures and traditions.

This week's show

Qatar's new cultural jewel

On the skyline of Doha, the capital city of the Gulf state of Qatar a new landmark has emerged.

The Museum of Islamic Art is the jewel in the crown of Qatar’s bid to become a cultural force in the region.

Built on a man made island the Museum of Islamic Art is a place set apart for research, learning and creativity.

Like much of Doha, the architecture is new and modern but also pays tribute to its Islamic heritage.

But it is what is on the inside that has international art historians buzzing with excitement.


Kite-making in Japan

The annual Hamamatsu festival in Japan celebrates the birth of a district family's firstborn with the launching of a special kite.

Proud parents commission kites costing up to $2,000 each.

Artsworld met one family who have maintined the ancient trade of making traditional kites.


DNA Art

Scientists studying DNA in the Canadian city of Montreal have recently been dealing with requests from a most unusual client.

Two friends based in the country's capital Ottawa - one a trained scientist, the other a marketing specialist - came up with a fun idea that would surprisingly transform both of their lives.

Descibed as "Andy Warhol meets CSI" the two men send requests off to the DNA lab and then your unique configuration is turned into a work of art.

An idea that was initially met with scepticism and a trickle of requests has now become a viable business and a flood of customers.


Shooting for peace

Pinhole cameras which do not need a lens but just a small opening in a box or tin that manipulates light are a popular science project in many Colombian schools because they are cheap and easy to make.

Now a new initiative Shooting Cameras for Peace is using pinhole cameras to capture the stories of some of the thousands of young people in the Colombian capital Bogota who are forced to live in extreme poverty.

Many had to flee the armed conflict in the countryside, their education and their childhood interrupted.

Since the photography project started hundreds of kids have shared their images with their communities and with the world.

Watch the programme online and click here to 'send us your feedback':

Part one

Part two


This episode of Artsworld airs from Saturday, September 27, and can be seen at these times GMT:

Saturday 0830 and 2230; Sunday 0630 and 1930; Monday 0300; Tuesday 1430; Wednesday 0130 and 1230; Thursday 0330 and 2330; and Friday 0730

 Source: Al Jazeera
 
 
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