In the heat of the summer, 421 Abu Dhabi springs into action
- 15 Jun 2023
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
If summer comes, can spring be far behind? 421, the independent, anti-disciplinary platform located in Abu Dhabi dedicated to emerging artists and creative practitioners in the UAE and across the region, is joining hands with the English poet, who asked the question. And by noting that “this spring 2023 season, we invite you to slow down, dream, stargaze, and savour the moment; the seasonal programme coincides with the spring Equinox, ushering in new beginnings and allowing us to reflect, observe, listen, indulge, and prepare for renewal,” it heralds the spring artwise, alongside the poet, who did so poetically.
421’s Spring 2023 programme presents two new exhibitions - a solo exhibition of Artistic Development Program recipient Nasir Nasrallah, and a group exhibition presenting the work of this year’s MFA cohort at New York University Abu Dhabi. Nasrallah’s solo exhibition titled Poetic of Machines (May 18 – Aug. 25), presents a mythical exploration of the relationships between humans and machines. Through a collection of drawings, paintings, publications, textiles and installations, the UAE-based artist takes one on a journey into a world of mechanical creatures that exist in an unknown space and time.
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The drawings and paintings are detailed, depicting a variety of robotic figures. They are often presented in groups, suggesting a kind of community or society of machines. The show invites the viewer to consider the impact of machines on daily life and the unstoppable, ever-evolving relationship, with mechanical devices (or beings). Nasrallah imbues the machines with personalities, emotions - and even a sense of humour.
As visitors walk through the exhibition, they will encounter a fax machine that receives messages in real-time and a sofa setup that replicates the one found in the artist’s personal studio. Nasrallah is a recipient of the 2023 cycle of the 421 Artistic Development Program. Poetic of Machines is a result of the programme, which is organised in partnership with pedagogical partner, Institute for Emerging Art.
SYNTHESIS: 2023 MFA Graduate Show (May 18 – Aug. 25) presents the work of graduate students completing the two-year Master of Fine Arts in Art and Media at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). It features projects by Elizabeth Dorazio, Liane Al Ghusain, Majd Alloush, Mahra AlFalahi, and Fabiola Chiminazzo.
For Elizabeth Dorazio, nature is the central subject in the Cosmic Forest, in which she questions transforming matter that is random, unpredictable and in constant movement through drawing - a cornerstone of her practice. In I Would Tread Lightly, Liane Al Ghusain presents artworks related to being a Palestinian in the diaspora, which includes geometric embroidery, serial sculptures, non-narrative videos, and performances for dealing with emotional trauma.
In Mapscapes, Majd Alloush examines the intersection of art and technology, exploring the transformation of pixels into tangible objects through printmaking, moving image, and digital fabrication. Working with textiles, Mahra AlFalahi’s Folded Stories explores the effect of memories of storytelling drawn from her childhood. She highlights societal norms and expectations that are nurtured through narratives. Fabiola Chiminazzo’s work Encounter Museum investigates society, using archival images from photos, books, prints and museum catalogues. 421 also invites visitors to head to the front desk (till June 21) to pick up recycled seed paper, which includes various fruit and vegetable seeds, to be planted in the pots located in Courtyard 2. This will lead to the creation of The Living Archive project, which engages the public to plant a memory through seed paper.
“This collaborative community installation,” 421 reminds, “accumulates and grows over time, carrying our collective memories. An unofficial archive of this project will be published when the season concludes.” Participation is free and open for all. The seed paper was conceptualised and produced by Mohamed Rowaizak. He is an architect at Schlumberger and the founder of the Pilgrim Series for limited edition handmade Arabic craft products. He is also a co-founder of MRM, a collaborative design studio exploring crossovers between local craft and technology. Rowaizak graduated with a B.Arch from the American University of Sharjah, where he received the MAD award.
The 421 Culture Bus is back and is ready to take anyone and everyone on a journey to the moon and back with Al Sadeem Observatory! On June 18, it will ferry visitors for a stargazing experience on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi to observe the moon, stars, planets, and other cosmic objects, using traditional and smart telescopes. The bus includes a discounted ticket rate of Dhs150 on entry into Al Sadeem Observatory, in addition to the standard Dhs30 Culture Bus ticket, as well as guided tours and transport to and from Abu Dhabi, with a group of like-minded art enthusiasts. The bus departs at 7 pm from 421 and returns 11 pm. Chef Kuv’s Supper Club (June 17, 7 pm – 9 pm) will provide a sensorial and flavourful experience. The communal family affair is prepared to take the gourmet through “otherworldly menus and expressive plates.” “Know the secret menus that are revealed to the participants only after joining the experience,” says 421. Located in Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed, 421 presents a year-round programme of exhibitions, talks, workshops, special events and educational initiatives that offer learning opportunities. Many of them are organised in collaboration with local, regional and international partners; they engage children, students, educators, and creative professionals and support the growth of the UAE’s creative ecosystem. The 421 campus is also home to a number of permanent art installations.