Uniquely different: Frame of Mind

The Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) is all set to showcase one of the biggest alternative art festivals in the city.

Made in Dubai (MinD), beginning from March 14, will exhibit contemporary and experimental artworks of over 20 Dubai-based artists. The idea is to create a platform for independent, emerging talents in the local art scene. The exhibition will remain on until March 21.

The festival will feature artworks that follow an urban theme and will make use of a variety of media, including photography, sculptures, video and graphic art.

Unlike commercial art exhibitions, MinD will allow artists to showcase their creativity and passion in their own distinctive style.

Creative connectivity

"We want to convey the message of creative connectivity," said Fatima Mohiuddin, Visual Arts and Special Projects Manager at DUCTAC. "MinD will be the perfect opportunity for Dubai-based artists to represent their styles and talent through unusual outlets."

A senior graphic designer by profession, Renata Giovannoni, will be exhibiting a ‘Heart Lamp' which will hang from the ceiling at DUCTAC. Made from lights, a wire frame and fabric, the lamp signifies a beating heart.

Cycle of relationships

"My inspiration comes from past experiences," said the 29-year-old South African. "The four wooden hearts below the flickering frame represent the love-hurt-heal-love cycle of relationships."

One of the highlights of the event will be ‘Flight' — a large-scale installation by Rebecca Rendell, a freelance artist who relocated to the UAE from the UK in 2008.

The foyer space at DUCTAC will be the platform for the installation where silhouettes of a large gathering of birds will be hung, each made from the inner tubes of lorry tyres.

"The birds are black cormorants, a breed which can be seen near the waterfront in Ras Al Khaimah," Rendell said. "I used recycled materials in my work, and it is significant to the concept since it represents a flight of birds who act as a natural surveillance system," she added.

Exchange programme

In addition to experimental work, MinD will host a video-art exchange programme as part of an international parallel exhibition arranged by Video'Appart.

This non-profit project is aimed at giving exposure to emerging video artists from around the world. "The special feature enables artists to exchange ideas at an international level, making Dubai's art scene global," said Fatima.

A microcosm of Dubai

"The videos at MinD will be streamed live to artists in Paris, who in turn will be presenting their art to viewers in Dubai."

Another artist Lantian Xie will be showcasing a video-installation and co-curating Video'Appart. "It's inevitably a microcosm of Dubai at large" — a view shared by many of the artists at MinD," he said

"Since Dubai is a small place, artists and the community can get more involved with each other," Giovannoni said.

Jalal Abuthina, a Libyan-Irish photographer, will be presenting his work titled ‘The Moon' at the festival, which features a graphic creature dressed in a custom-made abaya and "is a late-night gothic tribute to the moon".

A real estate agent by profession, Abuthina has been an artist since 2004. "The art scene is definitely picking up, but it's not enough. Many are more focused on becoming immediate celebrities and do not want to struggle," Abuthina added.

The opening of MinD is expected to be a gala event, where visitors will get an opportunity to interact with the artists.

— The writer is a UAE-based freelancer