Culture-lovers, this is your week: Abu Dhabi is abuzz with exhibitions. Caroline McEneaney picks four highlights – and they’re all free!
Malaria: Blood, Sweat and Tears
Photographer Adam Nadel puts a face on a terrible disease in his exhibition entitled ‘Malaria: Blood, Sweat and Tears’. Through his compelling images on display at Emirates Palace, he tells the story of a disease that has killed millions of people around the world. Under the patronage of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this exhibition highlights how nearly half of the countries threatened by malaria are predominately Muslim. This collection of photography, which was first displayed in 2010 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, explores the origins of the disease and the devastating effects that it can have – noting that in some cases, mosquito nets are all that stand between life and death.
The artist has a personal connection to the disease as well: ‘I contracted malaria in my early twenties while working in Central America, so I was aware of both the illness’s dangers and its global presence,’ he says. ‘But one of the most rewarding aspects of developing and then creating the show was educating myself about the history, science and future of the parasite in order to better generate the show’s text and larger themes.’
The aim of the show, which has also been exhibited in Switzerland, France, Ghana, Germany, Belgium and Thailand, is to raise awareness of the disease and to serve as a call to action; to get people to realise that this disease is easily preventable and treatable, yet continues to affect so many. The title of the show references blood, sweat and tears because, as Adam explains, the disease is contracted through the bloodstream, it causes high fevers and, in its wake, leaves people in mourning.
Free. From now until May 18. Etihad Ballroom, Emirates Palace, Corniche West, www.kempinski.com (02 690 9000).
Recalled in Chiaroscuro
This exhibition features more than 100 photographs by the French artist Olivier Escarguel. The photos depict portraits and landscapes of the Arab world, focusing mainly on the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. The style of the colour and black and white images varies from resembling pictures in history books to more contemporary reportage photography and artistic portraiture that focuses on form and aesthetics, rather than the identity of the subject.
Olivier has travelled the world with his camera, keeping notes on his experiences and reactions. He is deeply moved by meeting people from different cultures and this affinity is evident in his work, which comments on daily life around the world. Even when Olivier’s photographs have no people in them, the evidence of human presence and tools of everyday life are the focus of the composition. He says, ‘I can make a photograph out of nothing but a plain cloth hanging on the wall. And this simplicity can reveal the hidden magic of casual moments.’
The images are accompanied by descriptions or poems. To Olivier, these are less an explanation of the photograph than they are an extension of the art; together with the image they make up the whole piece.
‘Photography has always been a passion of mine,’ says Olivier. ‘I like photography because I’m not so good at drawing, and taking pictures can replace that; photography allows me to express my emotions.’
Olivier’s photographs will all be for sale, starting at Dhs520 for unframed prints and Dhs650 for framed prints. There will also be posters and postcards available from Dhs260 and Dhs60 respectively.
Free. From now until May 19. Gallery Ormuz, between Novotel Al Bustan and Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara (050 522 7301).
New York Film Academy (NYFA) Abu Dhabi Graduation Exhibition
Students taking NYFA’s one-year filmmaking programme have dedicated the past semester to their thesis film. They have been editing and polishing their original scripts and story-boarding their movies, which involves organising visual images in chronological order to
show at a glance the progression of the narrative. Their final pieces will now be on view to the public on the big screen.
The event will also welcome Emirati filmmaker Nawaf Al-Janahi and NYFA graduate Samah El Kadi, both of whom will provide some words of inspiration to the graduating class.
Allan Nicholls, artistic director at NYFA, says, ‘The films are largely influenced by the culture and community in the UAE and this event is a great way for that community to enjoy the results of these students’ efforts.’
The films largely feature female protagonists dealing with personal issues. They include Ruslan Bekshenov’s Agoraphobia, which tells the story of a girl’s debilitating fear, and Patrick Okotete’s Perspective about a pregnant woman and the struggles that many women take for granted. Najet Hadriche’s Iman teaches viewers about the Tunisian revolution through the lens of one woman’s experience, while Khadija Kudsi’s Fate is about a woman fighting cancer. Ehsah Parham Al Awadi introduces the audience to an Emirati woman with dreams of performing on stage in Sound Of Silence, while Majid Alkhatib’s Hide Or Suicide depicts a mother’s loss during wartime. Sheren Abou Ouf’s What If And Why Not puts a husband in the shoes of his wife for a day and Abdelrahman Saleh Albloushi explores Islam and science in the documentary Djinn. Finally, in Liwa, Vivien Brauns comments on motherhood and mental illness through the narrative of a poor mother caring for her autistic daughter.
Free. From 7pm. May 21. VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall, Ras Al Akhdar (02 681 8484).
Elemental Forces
In the year since N2N Gallery opened its doors, it has breathed new life into the capital’s gallery culture. It is celebrating its one-year anniversary by launching a series of solo exhibitions featuring in-house artists. The first will showcase work by Ukrainian painter Tetyana Yagodkina.
Combining a classical painting style with modern subject matter and techniques, Tetyana’s pieces depict landscapes from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Using paint and mixed-media elements, her images have a dynamic and modern feel while maintaining the dignified beauty of traditional oil paintings.
This exhibition, ‘Elemental Forces’, concentrates on earth, water and sky. The paintings feature images of mountains, sunsets, oceans and architecture. Paying homage to her travels, some of the paintings also depict tropical places and local people, as well as exotic fruit and beaches.
Free. May 18-31. Avenue at Etihad Towers, Corniche West. For more information, email N2N Gallery at info@n2n-gallery.com. www.n2n-gallery.com (02 690 8929).
