Toothbrushes, scissors and bicycle pumps are conglutinated in sculpturesque forms. A burnt generator resembles a bird cage. Other artifacts have been given a new meaning when they became part of installations by Dariush Zandi and Shaqayeq Arabi. An installation of twenty-five generators recalls the skyline of cities. Another installation of burnt knives could be aesthetic wallpaper.
One year after the brutal explosion of an Al Quoz warehouse, the ferocity of the fire and sense of tragedy arouse this series of work. An intense smell of burned rusted metal and plastic was the permanent companion during the four months of excursions of the artists; ashes and smoke filled the air like in a ruin. Masses of twisted metal were pilled up in a disintegrated state of deformation resembling a memorial of considerable size in a state of decay. Being death still it evoked the sense of devastation and massive destruction.
"Scraps" commemorates this moment of shock. The scale of this event and impact on our life startled the artists. On the site of the explosion they discovered that something had been devastated but something new did arose from the ruins. Objects had been transformed through natural and human forces and given a new meaning. Set into the context of the gallery the found objects received a new dimension not only material wise but also in meaning and value.
As spouses and artistic collaborators, photographer and architect Dariush Zandi and artist Shaqayeq Arabi shared and followed this principle of re-use and metamorphosis of object in previous installations and works.
Exhibition continues until 15th April 2009.
On the same night Courtyard Gallery & Cafe will have an exhibition opening of "Places'' by Bahraini artist Faika Al Hasan.
In this exhibition, Faika explores different places, yet one element in these places captures her brush, it's the woman. In all places, the woman is the most present, watching over us like a guardian angel. "Places'' will continue until 26th March 2009.
"Scraps" An exhibition of photographs and found objects. Dariush Zandi & Shaqayeq Arabi At Total Arts Gallery at the Courtyard. Opening on Tuesday, 10th March 2009, 7 - 9pm.
GALLERY LOCATION
Sheikh Zayed Road (E 11)
Al Quoz Industrial Area 1, Courtyard Building
P.O. Box 14214, Dubai, UAE
Tel. 04-347 5050 Fax. 04-347 0909
www.courtyard-uae.com
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Opening hours from 9 am to 7 pm, except Fridays.
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