Spectrum Exhibition: In Context

Introduction:

In Context is an engaging exhibition that marks the culmination of the second edition of the Spectrum Residency Programme. This exhibition offers a variety of topics, techniques, and experiences expressed by a group of young, emerging artists participating in this year's programme under the supervision of mentor and curator, Nasser Al Maazmi, who played an active role in guidance and direction to produce projects in their final form.

This year, eight artists delved into the meaning of culture and what it means to them, applying their new understanding to their artwork and discovering the profound meanings and philosophies inherent in everyday life, often overlooked in our surroundings.

This exhibition encourages exploration and self-reflection on the concept of culture and its impact on perspectives.

Curatorial Statement:

With the start of 2024, the Spectrum Residency Programme at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi launched a series of inspiring meetings with a group of young, creative photographers and artists. These participants, selected from a large pool of applicants for the programme’s second cycle, began presenting their unique talents through diverse artistic practices.

From the outset, the artists focused on developing concepts, ideas, and personal practices for each participant. This was achieved through group sessions, one-on-one meetings and workshops, ensuring the effective use of the programme's duration. Spectrum covered essential topics such as portfolio reviews, documenting ideas and artworks, brainstorming methods for developing art, and other crucial skills for an artist's journey.

Over the four months of the residency programme, participants demonstrated exceptional effort in presenting their artworks, unique ideas, and engaging with various humanitarian and cultural themes. These efforts produced a series of pieces that reflect everyday culture, illustrating the impact of a fast-paced and ever-changing life on each artist's practice.

Nasser Abdalla Al Maazmi,
Exhibition Curator and Mentor

Artworks

“Labyrinth of the Spirits” (2024)

Faisal Alrais
UAE (B. 1988)

Artwork Description: In our fast-paced world, some individuals experience a sense of disorientation. While at times it may seem inviting, at others, it can feel constricting. These "lost souls" are trapped in a relentless cycle, although they have yet to grasp the beauty and significance of their own souls. The idea here is to unveil the essence of the spirit within the body. Although the spirit remains somewhat enigmatic, it is undeniably the driving force behind the body's functions. Without it, the body remains inert, despite the presence of vital organs. This art installation seeks to show an alternate dimension where spirits reside within bodies. However, some spirits may be lost, since their owners do not acknowledge their own worth and consequently underestimate their capabilities. Societal influences may contribute to this phenomenon, as they often do not provide the guidance for understanding the "spirit" and appreciating essential aspects of life such as self-awareness, wisdom, and love. The aim of this project is to offer philosophical guidance and self-reflection as a way to inspire individuals to overcome their sense of disorientation.

“The Walls of Identity” (2024)

Mark-Anthony Agtay
Philippines (B. 1981)

Artwork Description: Exploring diversity and unity through texture: Guests are invited to enter an immersive display where each wall texture symbolizes a distinct path of human existence. From coarse and rugged surfaces to smooth and refined finishes, every texture narrates tales of resilience, adversity, triumph, and connection. Spanning a range of textures, visitors can navigate through the depths of cultural heritage, the intricacies of personal evolution, and the intersections of individual identities. Amid this variegated tapestry, a common thread emerges, weaving together the fabric of our shared humanity. Contemplate the textures surrounding you, and you will uncover the beauty of diversity and the power of unity, while nurturing empathy, comprehension, and reverence. Embrace the diversity of human experience by acknowledging the common ground that transcends differences within "The Walls of Identity."

“For It Is Not The Same Land, And I Am Not The Same Being” (2024)

Mivan Makia
Canada (B. 1999)

Artwork Description: Through her artwork, Mivan Makia presents a mixed-media work composed of manipulated analogue photography, found objects, and environmental matter, inspired from recent trips to Iraq. Questioning the complex relationship between humans and the surrounding environment, Makia uses the territory’s fetishised ecological symbols – such as date palms, freshwater rivers, and crude oils – to narrate the reciprocal imprint between the people who operate, live and work in those environments and the environment itself. Objectifying and directly extracting matters from the stereotypical terrains of Iraq, the work shows a networked understanding of how plant histories, national mythologies, and political economies are intertwined.

“Bridge. A trip to the starting line” (2024)

Mohamed Al Alawi
UAE (B. 1988)

Artwork Description: On his daily commute to work, returning home in the evening, or running errands, the artist crosses several bridges, integral urban features of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which encompass a collection of islands. His quest for seeking out these bridges began here as he initiated various experiments to document and photograph bridges across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, particularly focusing on pedestrian bridges, which serve as hubs for daily activities and movement for a significant portion of the emirate's population. This installation showcases several photographic experiments conducted during the artist’s participation in the Spectrum Residency Programme at Manarat Al Saadiyat, in which he focused on the pedestrian bridges for his concept.

“conversations between living & ghost gardens” (2024)

Nada Almosa
Palestine (B. 1999)

Artwork Description: Conversations between living & ghost gardens explores Nada’s relationship with her mother’s and grandmothers’ gardens, both present and past, and their role in discovering her sense of self. Nada was born and raised in Sharjah and found it easy to identify with her Palestinian identity. Growing up, her sense of self was never a question, as her family’s homes were filled with memorabilia of their heritage, from the Keys of Return hung up on the walls, to the ornately embroidered thobes worn at every Eid and celebration. This self-assuredness of belonging to the Palestinian diaspora was stemmed from her grandmothers’ and mother’s gardens, who had expressed their connection to their heritage through their gardenscapes. Their stubborn green thumbs planted their roots across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and finally the UAE. For Nada, these gardens became gateways to Palestine.

“Mhayer” (2024)

Roudhah Almazrouei
UAE (B. 2003)

Artwork Description: Set against the stark, expansive backdrop of Siji's mountains, "Mhayer" is a contemplative short film that follows a young boy named Mhayer as he inadvertently strays from his familiar surroundings into the wilderness. This solitary journey through the rugged terrain becomes a meditative exploration of solitude and curiosity. As Mhayer traverses the landscape, the vast silence of the mountains prompts him to reflect on his smallness in the vast world and the interconnectedness of all life. Each step away from the familiar sharpens his senses and deepens his thoughts, turning a simple walk into a profound philosophical journey into the essence of being.

“And He Is With You” (2024)

Zainab Alhashmi
UAE (B. 2003)

Artwork Description: The installation presents windows of hidden and revealed narratives, encapsulating moments that capture raw essences of humanity found in the ordinary acts of daily life. Within the tapestry of human existence lie a multitude of stories, with every being carrying their own distinct and rich narrative of life. This reality often eludes our conscious minds due to our innate interpretation of life that is centric to our existence. Turning to the Quranic verse “And Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal” Surah At-Taghabun (4), it reflects his omniscience that transcends limits, where our minds sometimes fail to comprehend. In

“DARRNA” (2024)

Zayed Alhaddar
UAE (B. 2000)

Artwork Description: "DARRNA" is an immersive art installation that weaves together tradition and symbolism to celebrate the essence of Emirati culture. This exhibition transports visitors into the heart of Bedouin life, highlighting the importance of family, heritage, and fashion.

At the centerpiece of the exhibit is a grand tent, crafted from the traditional home garments of Emirati women known as Jalabiyas. This fabric choice honors the crucial role of women as the nurturing core of the household. The tent's impressive size symbolizes the significance of the familial space it represents.

Adjacent to the main tent is a smaller structure made from men's jalabiyas, a seating called the masnad. This structure symbolizes the supportive role of men as the foundation of the family unit, the word masnad originates from the word Sanad, emphasizing how reliable a man is in a household.