Nokia’s Fonetography Auction sponsored by HP Middle East raised over 160,000 Dhs in donations this month for Foresight, a UAE cause supporting the blind and visually impaired. A second auction which took place in Kuwait yesterday evening raised another 110,000 Dhs, this time for the Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH). The amount raised for good causes in the Gulf has now reached a grand total of almost 300,000 AED. Both auctions were led by Christie’s on October 13, UAE, and on October 25, Kuwait in conjunction with Mixed Media, publishers of Canvas Magazine.
In the UAE, Nokia’s Fonetography Auction brought together 10 of the top Artists in the Emirates to raise money to support Foresight in their efforts to champion research to accelerate a cure for blindness-causing diseases and to raise awareness of the difficulties faced in the everyday lives of people with visual impairment. The photographers used Nokia N90 multimedia devices with Carl Zeiss optics and a 2 megapixel camera to take pictures that explore their artistic muses through any theme or subject. The photographs showcased how the full set of advanced digital camera features may be utilized, forming a rich tapestry of images capturing the spirit of the UAE.
The diverse collections of photographs were all produced by HP, a global leader in printing solutions. The images were printed on the HP DesignJet 90 printer in A4 size and were displayed at a gala reception to an inspired crowd prior to the auction. Participants in the Dubai event were Shaikha Maisa Al-Qassimi, Mohamed Abdul Latif Kanoo, Katya Assouad Traboulsi, Mona Mohammed, Lee Badrick, Nadine Koleilat, Souheil Semaan, Valerie Nagant, Myrna Ayad and Lamjed El Kefi.
Katy Newitt, the Founder and Chairperson of Foresight was very pleased with the results. "I would like to say a big thank you to all those involved in making this night a success and helping to raise significant funds for such a worthwhile cause. It is wonderful to see the impact of community involvement when socially responsible corporations and individuals work together. It truly warms my heart to see visual arts being used to bring hope to those who have been impacted by sight-loss."
The highest bid in the UAE went to a photo captured by Sheikha Maissa Al Qassimi titled ‘Art behind Glass’, which sold for 11,000 Dhs. Nokia contributed to the excitement at the auction by announcing that it would match the highest bid made during the evening with an equal amount donated to Foresight. At the conclusion of the auction a photograph by Soheil Seeman was auctioned to raise money to support the relief efforts of the earthquake that recently struck the Asian Subcontinent.
“We take our corporate social responsibility very seriously," said Eddy Rizk, Senior Communications Manager, Nokia Middle East and Africa. "We are proud to help support this important local organization through helping enable blind and partially sighted people improve their lives. The Nseries ‘Do More’ message not only reflects on our anywhere, anytime philosophy, but also signifies the potential power of art and creativity to stimulate positive action and awareness of the benefit of society at large."
“The auction is a great way to give back to the community, and an enormous amount of gratification for all those involved," said Amr Hassan, General Manager, Imaging and Printing Group, HP Middle East. “HP technology can be impactful in enriching people’s lives in more ways than are imaginable. Our commitment to helping people share experiences was fulfilled this evening as we empowered members of the community to share dreams and aspirations for a better future for those in need.”
The Nokia Fonetography auction will be travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia later this year, with different local charities benefiting from the proceeds. Nokia, HP, Christie’s, and Mixed Media have sited the creativity of the concept and its humanitarian purpose as the reasons for the success of the auction and the positive feedback generated.
The N90 is the first device from Nokia’s Nseries sub-brand, which was launched earlier in the year. The Nseries provides the richest multimedia experience for consumers, either in music, imaging, gaming or web services. For further information on Nokia N90 or Nseries products, please visit www.nokiamena.com
