December 14-20 agenda: 'Sherlock Holmes' premieres in London and 'Avatar' is realeased worldwide

Agenda of the week: much awaited film Sherlock Holmes premieres in London and Avatar is released in theaters worldwide, Dubai hosts its motor show and Bugatti celebrates its 100th anniversary in Brussels while San Francisco's MoMA celebrates its 75th anniversary, among other events.

Sherlock Holmes film world premiere
December 14
London, UK

Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr as lead character, an updated version of the famous Arthur Conan Doyle detective, is shown for the first time in London before being released in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea  on December 24 and the USA on December 25 and in the UK on the 26.

http://sherlock-holmes-movie.warnerbros.com

Avatar, film release
This week is Avatar week worldwide: the much anticipated latest James Cameron film is released in the UAE on December 15, in France on the 16, and in the USA on the weekend.

http://www.avatarmovie.com

Dubai International Motor Show
December 15-20
Dubai, UAE

The largest international automotive event in the Middle East returns, showcasing new products and regional launches from the major manufacturers. Organizers this year plan to coat a Lexus in gold. 2009's event in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre marks the 10th Anniversary of the Middle Eastern show, held every two years.

http://www.dubaimotorshow.com

Via Design 3.0
December 16, 2009 - February 1, 2010
Paris, France

Valorization of Innovation in furnishing (VIA) will feature some of the first works created by famous artists and designers Philippe Starck, Martin Szekely, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Matali Crasset, Mathieu Lehanneur, François Azambourg, Philippe Rahm, Gaetano Pesce and Andrée Putman. The work of young up-and-coming designers will also be featured alongside the work of the great designers to emphasize the importance of the Via initiative at the Paris Centre Pompidou.

http://www.centrepompidou.fr

Jenny Holzer
December 17, 2009 - February 28, 2010
Melbourne, Australia

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art will host the first Australian survey of works by American artist Jenny Holzer in December. Holzer's famous text-based works will be projected across the walls of the main exhibition hall in the Melbourne Gallery. The projections will be accompanied by an LED installation and recent paintings depicting declassified government documents.

http://www.accaonline.org.au/Future

Bugatti 100th anniversary exhibition
December 18 - January 17, 2010
Brussels, Belgium

Autoworld Brussels will host an exhibition displaying 30 of the prestige carmaker's most iconic models. From King Léopold III's own Bugatti to the present-day Veyron Grand Sport, this exhibition marks the end of the centenary celebrations - Ettore Bugatti founded the marque December 15 1909.

http://www.bugatti100.com

The Met's 'Les Contes d'Hoffmann' in theaters worldwide
December 19
International

Now in its fourth season, The Met: Live in HD transmits live performances by the Metropolitan Opera in high definition to theaters around the world. On Saturday, December 19 at 1:00 pm EST, the Met will transmit its fourth Live in HD broadcast of the season, Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, to hundreds of movie theaters in more than 40 countries. A full list of participating theaters is on the Met Opera website.

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera

San Francisco MoMA 75th Anniversary Show
December 19, 2009-January 16, 2011
San Francisco, USA

Marking its 75th year, pioneering SFMOMA exhibits The Anniversary Show with more than 400 works from its collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, videos, photographs, and design objects, from a range of artists including Jackson Pollock, Frida Kahlo, and Jeff Koons, and the videos of Marcel Duchamps and Andy Warhol.

www.sfmoma.org/exhibitions/401