Seven Emirati artists, inspired by spatial memory, the desert, and geographical coordinates, presented their works at the second edition of 'Zai Dubai' in Dubai. Their creations break the mold, presenting a fusion of the beauty of composite art and the brilliance of light. Light and shadow intersect within the composite blocks and the spaces they contain, creating a dialogue that transforms the artworks into pulsating, living entities with a dynamic rhythm, granting them aesthetic dimensions that make them a visual journey that alters the space's appearance and invites the viewer to redefine form and light at the festival, which is titled 'Light Inspires Life' and continues until tomorrow at the famous Al Wasl Square.
Under the title 'Directions,' artist Mohammed Kazim presented the coordinates of several world locations. His sculpture takes a conical form, with its metallic surface covered in laser-engraved numbers representing cities from across the globe with their populations, all converging in Dubai. Artist Mohammed Kazim told 'Al Ittihad' that the work's height reaches 12 meters and bears the geographical coordinates of Dubai, as well as the coordinates of places steeped in memories, including his birthplace and the studio where he used to meet the late artist Hassan Sharifi. He explained that the material used interacts with both natural and artificial light, especially when the sun is absent. The work was designed to allow viewer interaction, as the artist studied the space and buildings beforehand, and it is a piece that can be altered.
Kazim added that the beauty of visual art lies in its allowance for artists to work with all materials, including light—both natural and artificial—as it adds aesthetic value to the piece through constant movement.
Also through light, artist Khalid Al-Bana explores spatial memory and identity, drawing inspiration from the cultural and urban transformations the nation has undergone. He described his work as 'a journey in memory to a beautiful past, transitioning to the present by evoking elements of old life. I attempted to translate the elements present in memory into a work of art that aligns with the present and future.' He noted that the work consists of complex geometric forms that carry allusions to old houses, used in a simplified manner to embody the present and future.
He continued: 'The shift from small sculptures to working on a massive volume posed a significant challenge for me. I felt the majesty of large-scale pieces, unlike the smaller ones where I felt a sense of control.' He considers the fusion of art and light a new addition to his experience, particularly as light endows the work with a distinct identity, marking a progression in his artistic career.
'Whispers of the Desert'
'Whispers of the Desert' is a work by artist Zain Loutah, who through it investigates the relationship between light and desert life. She created sculptural forms resembling Bedouin tents, where light was fundamental, not merely decorative. She highlighted the infiltration of light into the woven tents and its movement with the sun.
Zain Loutah confirmed that she initiated the work's concept from the architectural form of the desert, inspired by the desert environment and how its inhabitants built their families. She mentioned she worked on light sculptures, creating a tent that gathers people, allowing visitors to experience sitting in it, while other pieces represent the lanterns used in the past. She pointed out that her grandfather was her first muse for this work.
She stated that she used 'fiberglass' as an artistic medium because it helps to accentuate light from within the sculpture, expressing her pride in participating in the Zai Dubai festival, especially as it coincides with 'ICOM Dubai 2025'.
'Granules'
From the world of jewelry to art, jewelry designer Aliya bin Omer presented a sculptural piece titled 'Granules,' a light-inspired artwork drawn from the ancient granulation technique in jewelry making. Small metallic spheres are gathered and fused to form surfaces rich in detail.
The artist intentionally used recurring spherical forms, from which light ascells inward toward the sky, to express femininity through them. She said of her work: 'I sought to link composite art with jewelry, working on a design inspired by heritage, distinguished by its execution according to techniques that allowed for the use of light in an ascending manner.'
She clarified that the technique used was not a challenge for her, employing specific methods to give the piece the appearance of an ancient gold object. She chose 'fiberglass' as the medium for the sculpture and emphasized that participating in the festival is a unique opportunity, especially to step beyond the confines of jewelry design and engage with novel ideas.
A Different Experience n A different light experience was presented by artist Fatima Loutah, who showcased her works as part of 'Zai Dubai' on the Al Wasl Dome. She drew inspiration for her work from the 'An-Nur' (The Light) chapter of the Quran, which she found inspiring and worthy of a novel presentation rather than mere Arabic calligraphy. She said she took photographs of olive trees at her home in Italy, and from these images, the work's presentation on the Al Wasl Dome was constructed, encompassing all details, from the trees to the falling olive oil.
Fatima Loutah believes that presenting the work on the Al Wasl Dome imparts to the viewer the verse's energy, noting that the dome accentuated the work's movement, especially as displaying it on a flat surface would not evoke the same sense of meaning. She confirmed that having her work on the Al Wasl Dome was a source of happiness and profound satisfaction with this accomplishment.
A Masterpiece Radiating Memories
From jewelry to Emirati heritage, Hessa Al Kendi revived traditions through her work 'Al Shabriya' (a traditional type of bench) at the Zai Dubai festival. She crafted this traditional piece and presented it as a masterpiece radiating memories. Ahmed Al-Arif, under the title 'Symphony of Seasons,' presented three traditional systems: 'Dairat Al-Dur' (The Circle of Houses), 'Busayla Al-Riyah' (The Compass of Winds), and 'Al-Lamd' (The Ebb and Flow), attempting to reimagine these tools in a contemporary, pulsating, and light-infused manner.
• 7 Emirati artists from different generations are participating in the second edition of the 'Zai Dubai' festival.
