Destination: Turning Point Group Exhibition.
Location: Tashkeel Hub, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE
Date: March 20, 2014.
Time: About 12 PM (DXB time)
Set my GPRS to find Nad Al Sheba area, then finding Tashkeel will be easier! After driving for 45 minutes from Media City to Nad Al Sheba, I found Tashkeel and the first thing that cought my attention was the serinety surrounding the hub, for a moment it didn’t feel like I was in busting Dubai especially in that particular week – Art Week 2014. The spacious building of Tashkeel can’t be lost once you reach the area, I went there to see Turning Point group exhibition by emerging artists from across the Middle East. But it was not a regular show, it has a story…
16 weeks ago, Tashkeel Hub announced through their social media an open call for artists based in the Middle East to participate in their upcoming exhibition “Turning Point”, that looks into creative processes that Tashkeel supports on a fundamental level, the turning points that occur on a cyclical bases in the lifetime of a project or work for the artists or designers. Turning Points was in collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels and Design Days Dubai and entitles one winner selected from 14 nominated artists to enter the Middle East Emerging Artist Prize. The winner had the opportunity to travel to Paris & attend courses at L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels.
Few weeks later, Tashkeel Hub announced the nominated artists: Afra bin Dhaher, Alia Lootah, Alina Amer, Ammar Al Attar, Anood Obaidly, Hind Mezaina, Jessica Mein, Layla Juma, Maitha Demithan, Mobius, Mark Pilkington, Mohamed Hussein, Mohammed Hindash, Vikram Divecha and Walid Al Wawi.
The exhibition “Turning Point” opened to public on March 12, 2014 featuring contemporary artworks of selected artists varied from paintings, installations, photography, mixed media, audio and video art. On March 17th the winner of Middle East Emergent Artist Prize was announced, Indian artist based in Dubai Vikram Divecha.
Exhibition ran until April 30th, 2014. End of story.
Well not exactly! Visiting Turning Point and seeing all the exhibited artworks I realized the level of talent and creativity young artists in the region. In my opinion, everyone who participated was a winner specially: Afra bin Dhaher, Alia Lootah, Alina Amer, Ammar Al Attar, Layla Juma, Maitha Demithan and Walid Al Wawi. All 7 artists presented works that are open, unlimited interpretations. Build on solid researches & using diversified mediums – from mix media to iPhone photography – to share with viewers how their body of work changes, develops, emerges and form the final stage with transparency. So keep your eyes on these artists and here is why:
1. Afra bin Dhaher:
Observation, Collection, Surreal Creation
2. Alia Lootah
Nostalgia of Illuminated Incidents
3. Alina Amer
Incubator of Duality Trap
4. Ammar Al Attar
Successful Photography: Bad Negatives
5. Layla Juma
What Links People: Random Dispersed Points & Connection Lines
6. Maitha Demithan
Decoding Scripts in Visual Forms
7. Walid Al Wawi
Conceptualizim of Modification & Tragedy
To view all artworks exhibited in Turning Points, visit Al Mahha Art Facebook page.
About Tashkeel Hub:
Established in January 2008, Tashkeel is an independent resource for artists and designers living and working in the United Arab Emirates. It is committed to facilitating art and design practice, cross-cultural dialogue and creative exchange.
To be able to access the studios at Tashkeel one must be a registered member. Members have access to studio facilities which are: fine art, photography studio and darkroom, printmaking, textile printing, MAC suite, jewellery and 3D studios. In addition to the studio resources, there is an up to date journals and reference library as well as a member’s room and a gallery open to the public.
Tashkeel also organizes workshops in creative practice led by practicing artists which is open to both members & non members. For more information follow them on Instagram, Facebook.
Al Mahha Art 
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