Video: World's biggest inclined mural comes to Hatta

If you haven't explored Hatta yet, there's no better time to go down to the natural reserve to see the world's largest inclined mural unveiled on Sunday.

As part of the second phase of Dubai Street Museum Project, Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, revealed the 80mx30m mural along Hatta Dam that portrays the founding fathers of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The mural is part of Dh1.3 billion Hatta Comprehensive Development plan revealed last year, and adds to Hatta's unique mountain and nature experience. Residents and tourists can now enjoy kayaking, boat ride, mountain hiking and biking at Hatta Dam now coloured in a unique mural.

Behind the new touch of creativity is German street artist Case Maclaim, who spent 12 hours a day for the past two weeks to paint on the inclined wall of the dam. "This is the first time I work on an inclined wall, which was very challenging and exciting," said Maclaim, who's been a street artist for 23 years.

To get the mural done, Maclaim had to paint while hanging from a rope, using a team of assistants to help in carrying the paint. "I had to be mindful about the amount of paint I had to carry and use as little resources to save energy," said Maclaim, "I couldn't even stand straight and paint."

While dropping a colour isn't a big deal while painting on a straight wall, Maclaim said dropping a colour on an inclined wall would've created a "huge mess." Nevertheless, the artist who was also involved in painting two of the 16 murals at the 2nd of December Street as part of the first phase of Dubai Street Museum project last year, chose to take the challenge.

"I love new challenges and this was a new experience that I will definitely be adding to my references," said Maclaim. His murals on the 2nd of December street included an image of the hands of an old lady pouring coffee using Dallah (traditional Arabic coffee pot), and a second piece of hands of a local fisherman that displays the traditional art of fish-netting.

"I'm happy people here trusted me to paint the UAE founders, important personalities who have done a lot for this country years ago," said Maclaim.

Meanwhile, Shaima Al Suwaidi, project manager of Brand Dubai that collaborated with Dubai Municipality on the project, said the mural of the late UAE leaders was painted to showcase the leaders' love for Hatta.

"The late leaders used to spend their weekends in Hatta, and we meant to carry their legacy and promise of development forward," said Al Suwaidi.

She said the mural is the first, and biggest, of a series of other murals scheduled to be painted across Hatta. However, the number of murals or artists involved in Hatta was not revealed. The street art, she said, will showcase Hatta's environment and attractions including its honey-making, mountains and other subjects.

Announced in November 2016, Dubai Street Museum aims to transform Dubai into an open-air museum, and promote aesthetic excellence and innovation. The first phase saw 16 international and local artists come together to paint 16 murals down the 2nd of December Street that portrayed UAE history and 1971 union through images of pearl diving, falcons, coffee-making and old currencies.

The Dubai Street Museum will showcase the past, present and future of UAE from walls of Satwa to Hatta. The location of the third phase, after Hatta, is yet to be revealed.

Hatta development plan taken forward

Officials said Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan is progressing according to schedule. The plan involves a series of projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing economy, services, tourism, sports, education and culture in Hatta.

Mohammed Al Kaabi, senior service quality officer at Dubai Municipality, said the civic body finished over 14 projects as part of the development plan dedicating Dh88 million to infrastructure and employee housing, and Dh29 million to Hatta heritage souq and motel.

The Hatta plan is being implemented by a number of Dubai government entities, each presenting their own projects to contribute to the area. Such collaboration was displayed through the mural, which was a collaboration between Dubai Municipality and Brand Dubai.

"Our leaders planned this project to become a getaway for residents to allow them to enjoy its mountains and plantation," said Al Kaabi, noting the addition of Hatta Kayak, Mountain Bike and Mountain Hike for visitors to enjoy.

Dubai Municipality's projects include developing the 'Al Sheraa' heritage area, constructing 30 environmentally-friendly public rest houses, and building a series of pathways between farms across Hatta that pass through many major tourist attractions such as the Hatta Heritage Village, Hatta Kayak and Hatta Dam.

Another project 'Hatta Live' uses a number of cameras to broadcast 360-degree live views of Hatta's stunning landscapes. Dubai Municipality is also building a number of shops, a housing complex for government employees and children's play areas.

Head of Dubai Municipality Hatta Centre Omar Al Mutaiwei, said five projects are under progress including development of Hatta Heritage Souq and Motel that will include 32 rooms and 42 shops.

A plantation plan is also developed to add 100,000 trees in the next three years. While 23,00 have already been planted, the remaining will be planted in the next period. "The aim is clear: it is the individual in Hatta. All our projects aim to support the youth and their businesses."

As part of implementing the first group of its projects to enhance the urban infrastructure and support the growth of entrepreneurs and businesses in Hatta, Dubai Municipality organised the Hatta Honey Festival in the first quarter of 2017. It also launched an Emiratisation programme and scholarship.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com