Art is what you make of it. And when Roland Barthes famously proclaimed that the author was dead, it was evident that his theory could be applied just as easily to other mediums of creation. After all, once we expose our work to the world, we are not only relinquishing our role as creator by allowing readers, viewers and consumers to assign to it meanings beyond our own intentions, we are also allowing new art to be born from the process of consumption. Because, just as no man is an island, neither does he create in a bubble… Okay, hold that thought.
The second instalment of Emirati Expressions came in with a boom last October, and now it’s on its way out. Over the past four months we’ve been challenged, provoked and invited to think deeply by the works of ten Emirati artists, who have benefitted from a creative exchange with some of the world’s foremost photographers. Under the artistic direction of photographer, Steven Shore, the exhibition picked up where the last one left off; with themes of Emirati cultural heritage. It also focused on ‘movements of thought’ and the creative process more than the completed product.
Presently, we are two days shy of the end of the exhibition, and if you haven’t already been, we have but two things to say: ‘shame on you!’ And, ‘go forth before it’s too late, and be creative!’ How? Well if you haven’t heard already, the folks at TDIC have taken the process of creative exchange, as well as public involvement, to another level. They have brought to us the ‘Photo Booth’, and the artist is none other than you!
How does it work? Like a photo booth of course, only on a grander scale. Exhibition goers and members of the public (that’s you, yourself and ye) are invited to step into the giant photo booth (approximately three times the size of a standard one) and strike a pose. Now you might want to refrain from being too silly or too bold to save yourself embarrassment later, because your photographic portrait will emerge giant sized. This will make it difficult to pocket the thing and attempt an inconspicuous exit, which is just as well because the purpose of the exercise is to create and share. Which means that once you have your A0 mug-shot in hand, you will then be given the opportunity to put it up for all to see, on designated billboards at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
His Excellence Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of TDIC, called this the exhibition’s encouragement for Emiratis to express themselves, and invited ‘artists and non-artists, Emiratis and the wider UAE community, to create their own contributions.’ We couldn’t agree more with His Excellence’s sentiments, but were itching with a question or two. The first was about public reception, and the answer came from Tairone Bastien, Public Programmes Manager of the Cultural Department of TDIC.
‘The photo booth has been an extremely popular element of Emirati Expressions,’ said Tairone. ‘At its busiest point, it has received more than 600 participants one evening who each had their photograph taken. That’s one photograph per minute! Another interesting fact is that photographs taken during the course of the exhibition equate to more than 20,000 metres of paper.’
And what becomes of 20,000 meters of paper once the exhibition is over? ‘Some visitors have taken their photographs home to paste in their own surroundings as part of the creative process,’ said Tairone. ‘As for those pasted at Manarat Al Saadiyat, because they are mounted with a basic homemade glue the majority of them will deteriorate.’
So you may choose to immortalise a piece of your contribution to Emirati Expressions, on your living room wall, or make an offering to the transient, creative process and perhaps leave a more lasting impression on collective memory. It’s your call. Either way, don’t miss out.
The Emirati Expressions Photo Booth is accessible daily from 10am-8pm until Jan 28, at Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 643 5781).
