Dubai: The essence of Dubai Expo 2020 was brought to life through the artworks of three UAE-based artists who wanted to share their own vision and interpretation of the event and connect the audience to the core meaning of Dubai Expo 2020’s theme — Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.
Selected along with other 18 international artists, the three embarked on a mission to create 3 metre x metre petal sculptures reflecting the three sub-themes of Dubai Expo 2020 — Mobility, Opportunity and Sustainability — and tried to bring the topics under each sub-theme to life through their own artistic talents.
Shaikha Bin Daher, Hamdan Al Shamsi and Wissam Shawkat saw it not only as a great opportunity to be part of the art project that was launched as part of the Expo 2020 Dubai art showcase, but an honour and a chance to open creative dialogue and share expression of that theme.
The three selected topics they believed had a powerful meaning and echoed the powerful spirit of partnership and cooperation in the UAE.
Shaikha, an Emirati artist, who derives her inspiration from many things such as words, images, illustrations and film, chose the topic of ‘People in Motion’ because she believes it will resonate with the vast majority of UAE residents.
Movement, she says, affects how life happens, and affects the way societies around the world change and progress.
“The piece I created talks about migration,” she said. “I’ve tried to show how through mobility, migration, and motion, people can develop new skills, create new ideas, and evolve through new experiences. The new experiences might be a new job, or life in a new country, or joining up with new friends. Relationships are key. I am hopeful that ‘People in Motion’ will reflect how humans are constantly evolving — for the better — as we move through life.”
Sharing a different expression of a different theme, Al Shamsi, an Emirati visual artist, wanted a topic that would discuss the human mind. He was keen on focusing on the topic ‘Nurturing Human Capital’ because, he said, “the topic is about people — their sorrows, hopes, dreams and daily situations — and I’ve tried to capture that”.
Creating an installation of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was something he found very close to his heart. “Shaikh Zayed did so much to establish our country. He was a nurturing influence and helped create a better UAE and this is at the basis of my piece,” he said.
Al Shamsi said Shaikh Zayed continues to be an inspiring force for him and that the “topic was an excellent way to summarise the essence of the tremendous good he did for our nation. He wanted us to have a better life, and we do”.
“When people see my work I hope they feel some level of that. Life is about human connection — and that’s what inspires my work,” he added.
The renowned Iraqi artist, Shawkat, on the other hand, wanted to create a piece that connects themes of sustainability and preservation with the importance of passing on human skills to future generations.
With the topic ‘Knowledge and Tradition’ he wanted to use hand-lettered Arabic calligraphy designs on his sculpture to inform the viewers about the beauty of traditional art, and the importance of keeping artisanal and craft traditions alive.
“I have long been captivated by the fluid lines and elegance of Arabic calligraphy. But, unfortunately, the art is becoming increasingly rare. I find there is a meditative quality to calligraphy; it helps bridge hundreds and hundreds of years of tradition with our society today. My hope is that through the sculpture, through its lines and colours, people are reminded of the value of knowledge and of tradition.”
Shawkat said he feels like it’s a responsibility to protect such skills and that “tradition and culture must not be forgotten in this ever-evolving digital age”.
The Expo 2020 Dubai Art Showcase was launched with an aim of creating greater levels of understanding and engagement around World Expos and is part of a number of public-focused engagement programmes kicking off throughout 2015 and leading up to the opening of the World Expo in October 2020.
Through building this understanding around the sculptures, they hope people will make a real connection with Expo 2020 Dubai, and also form and contribute their own thoughts and interpretations of the sub-themes.
At the end of the programme, the 21 sculptures will come together, transforming into three 6 metre x 6 metre high Expo 2020 Dubai logos — one for each of the sub-themes, and put on display.
The art installations are currently on display in 18 locations around the UAE. Shaikha’s installation can be viewed at Mall of the Emirates, Al Shamsi’s installation is being showcased in Abu Dhabi at Marina Mall, and Shawkat’s installation is at Deira City Centre.
