Carbon 12 is closing this season with an exhibition featuring selected paintings, photographic works and sculptures by various international artists represented by the gallery. The show, “Close Encounters” includes new works by the artists and older works that have never been exhibited in Dubai. Also on display once again are some significant works from the gallery’s recent exhibitions.
The new works on display include two sets of untitled ink on paper drawings by Farzan Sadjadi and a piece from Ghazel’s 2014 “Maree Rouge” series. Sajdadi is known for his dark, heavy paintings about a violent universe. He conveys the same message, but in a lighter way through his quirky, thought-provoking sketches of beautiful landscapes and figures composed of skulls.
Similarly, in Ghazel’s work, the tide of red flowing across a map of the world published in Iran and the houses she has drawn with a pen on the map speak about the pain and anguish of war and displacement.
Birgit Graschopf has used graphite on perforated paper to create her unusual 2013 work “Bleakish Appearances”. From afar it looks like an abstract composition of greys and blacks. But a closer look reveals a portrayal of a dark, rainy day, with several hazy figures walking across a bridge.
On the other hand, Philip Mueller’s humorous oil, acrylic and lacquer on canvas painting “Hercules just killed Beethoven” (also from 2013) is a sharp, detailed work that combines elements of figurative painting, urban art and abstraction.
The gallery has hosted several exhibitions by abstract expressionist Andre Butzer, but the two paintings from 2007 in this show are being exhibited for the first time, offering interesting insights into the development of his easily recognisable signature style. And two dreamy mixed-media paintings on paper by Gil Heitor Cortesao present a new aspect of the work of an artist known for his realistic oil on Plexiglas paintings of architecture and interiors.
Anahita Razmi is well known for her cheeky, contemporary reinterpretations of iconic works by famous artists. The photographic work selected for this show has not been exhibited in Dubai before. It is an appropriation of British artist Tracey Emin’s famous work “I’ve got it all”, which was a cynical self-portrait of a career woman who has chosen to be part of the creative economy rather than the traditional role of motherhood.
In her witty version “I’ve got it all (too)” Razmi has substituted the real money in the original image with fake notes from a monopoly game to comment on stereotypical perceptions about the Middle East and the situation of women in traditional societies even today.
Katherine Bernhardt’s painting “Stop” also makes a powerful statement against the suppression and objectification of women.
The show also presents early works by Ralf Ziervogel and Bernhard Buhmann, a Botticelli inspired sculpture by Rui Chafes, and a colourful, eye-catching figurative and abstract photographic composition by Olaf Breuning.
The show will run at Carbon 12 until August 8
Nurturing the Creativity of Children
The fifth edition of the The Farjam Foundation’s annual Art Camp for children is based on the theme of “Crafting Legends”. The camp will be held from July 13 to August 28, and by popular demand the age group of participants has been extended this year to include children from the ages of seven to 13.
In earlier editions the Art Camp has nurtured the creativity of children by focusing on contemporary art. But this year it is going back in time to explore the history of Islamic art through the treasure trove of Iranian and Middle Eastern art and artefacts in The Farjam Collection, which is one of the largest private art collections in the world.
The participants will be divided into two age groups for the interactive, hands-on workshops on painting, sculpture, pottery and photography. Each week they will get the opportunity to view a variety of artworks carefully chosen from The Farjam Collection.
These include classic Persian miniatures, exquisitely crafted ancient ceramics, textiles, jewellery and armour, and portraits of famous kings and queens. Through these works the participants will learn about various artistic styles and techniques, and about the history and culture of the region and the eras when the artworks were created.
They will discover the myths and tales from the ancient Persian epic “Shahnameh”, by poet Ferdowsi, which has been a constant source of inspiration for artists through the centuries.
The participants will be encouraged to create their own versions of these beautiful artworks, and will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an exhibition to be held at the end of each week. Children can join the camp on a weekly basis or enrol for the entire seven weeks.
For more information and registration write to touran@farjamfoundation.org. –Jyoti Kalsi is an arts enthusiast based in Dubai
