< Previousour current narratives of uncertainty and change. Another work close to the curator’s heart touches on Pakistan and India’s fraught political relationship in the aftermath of the British colonial reign, espe- cially apt given the current geopolitics of the region with heightened tension between the neighbours. The fi lm by Amar Kanwar, A Season Outside (1997), depicts the Indian artist’s poetic meditation on cross-border links between the two countries. Kanwar’s fi lm opens with the sunset ritual of closing the gate on the border at Wagah-Atari, where military guards participate in displays of nationalistic aggression before spectators on either side. They swagger around the 12-inch painted line that marks the India-Pakistan border, lower their fl ags at exactly the same time to avoid giving the impression that either is capitulating. They dispel deathly glances at one another and close the gates, to the cheers of crowds on both sides. The fi lm is a philosophical journey through the shadows of past generations, confl icting positions, and borders – a traveller drifting through lines of separation, scrutinising the scars of violence and dreams of hope scat- tered among societies and nations. Given the relative scarcity of regional dialogues within South Asia, the Bien- nale marks a transformative moment for the country, reviving its cultural cre- dentials and aims to foster a deeper and multifaceted exchange within Asia and the rest of the world. “Art is a universal language,” adds Al Qasimi, “and that’s in evidence here. It blurs boundaries, it’s time to deliver a more open image of Pakistan.” lahorebiennale.org Between the Sun and the Moon, 2020 Lahore Biennale, was on view at various venues in Lahore, Pakistan, from 26 January until 29 February 2020 “ A R T I S A U N I V E R S A L L A N G U A G E A N D T H AT ’ S I N E V I D E N C E H E R E -I T ’ S T I M E T O D E L I V E R A M O R E O P E N I M A G E O F P A K I S T A N ” Above: Barbara Walker working on her installation Alchemy, large-scale, ephemeral charcoal wall drawings at Tollinton Market, Lahore. Right: Eyob Kitaba, Between Bodies. 2019-2020. mixed media using corrugated sheets, Lahore Fort The REVIEW HBA_038_126-131_The Review_Lahore_11205627.indd 13011/03/2020 09:25:20 AM131 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 HBA_038_126-131_The Review_Lahore_11205627.indd 13111/03/2020 09:25:26 AMAc ros s Time And Spa ce As Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival returns for its 8th edition, Sharvari Alape explores the historical backdrop of the fair and the theme that connects the art to its ancient setting, emotionally and ironically Lyn Naismith. Community and Culture, Sheikh Zayed Series. 209. Acrylic on canvas. 100x100cms. Courtesy of the artist 132 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 The REVIEW HBA_038_132-135_The Review_Rakfaf_11232342.indd 13211/03/2020 06:22:41 PMshared interests. Marina Roussou’s beautiful pieces from the Nos- talgia (2019) series fi rst encountered by the audi- ence sets a mood befi tting the festival’s theme as Roussou’s artworks connect the artist’s homeland, Greece and her current place of living, UAE, in a complicated relationship of yearning. Nesa Al She- hhi’s interactive work, Who Am I? (2020) allows visitors to choose and fi ll up a transparent box based on what describes their personality (I am one- sided, I may disagree with you but I respect you, I am neutral). The fi lled-to-the-brim ‘I may disagree t fi rst glance, the aban- doned pearling village of Al Jazirah Al Hamra seems to evoke only eerie silence in its wake, and although r ecently restored, the traditional coastal town is rich in its historical signifi cance, dating back to the 17th cen- tury. Walking across the sandy site, enlarged art- works arranged around the restored buildings greet visitors. Striking art pieces in spades of colours lined against the backdrop of the historic village is quite a fascinating sight to behold. There’s an innate charm in the collision of past and present, or perhaps the beauty is in fi lling the desolate ghost town with enchanting stories through art from around the world. As the sun goes down, neon lights frame the once quiet alleys prompting an impression of a vibrant locale. The setting is of the recently rebuilt Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village that has been transformed into an outdoor gallery for Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival (RAKFAF), which is in its eighth edi- tion. This year marks the fi rst year for the festival to be inaugurated with a central theme, Connected Communities, as more than 100 local and interna- tional artists from 33 countries showcase their works pertaining to the topic. “We chose Con- nected Communities as our theme to celebrate the festival’s roots in Ras Al Khaimah and the Emirati tradition of hospitality,” says Suqrat bin Bisher, Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival Arts, and Arts & Culture Manager of the Al Qasimi Foundation. “The UAE has always been a welcom- ing place given its location on historic trade routes, and today people from all over the world consider it a home away from home. Through the richness and diversity of artistic expression, we wanted to explore how globalisation impacts our sense of belonging and the ways we relate and build rela- tionships across our differences.” While the art scene has grown signifi cantly in the UAE over the past years, Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival was one of the fi rst art initiatives to be introduced in the northern emirates when the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research launched it eight years ago. “Our goal from the very beginning was, therefore, to help establish an arts community by bringing peo- ple together and creating opportunities for cultural exchange,” bin Bisher explains. “We were also committed to ensuring the Festival retained the spirit and character of Ras Al Khaimah, as we felt this would help set it apart from other festivals and events in the region.” The very fi rst Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival in 2013 featuring 26 artists and fi lm directors from 12 different countries was a weekend art exhibition and fi lm screening at the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. “However, this modest start was enough to establish a grassroots community of local and international artists and art lovers who have become strong advocates not only of the festival but for local and emerging talent,” says bin Bisher. “This supportive community has grown and remains the festival’s biggest asset, as without the talent of participating artists and an audience eager to engage, the festival never would have gained trac- tion to continue and expand.” In 2020, with the addition of public art talks and workshops, tours, interactive theatre performances and 20 short fi lms and documentaries screening at VOX Cinemas in Al Hamra Mall, the festival is designed to spark cre- ativity by offering new experiences and opportuni- ties to learn, with a chance to meet new people over On display from right to left: Philip Harwood. A Champion in the Making. 2018. Digital photograph, dibond print. 1.70x1.25m; Ebrahim Al Nuami. Craft from the Past. 2019. Digital photograph, dibond print. 1.87x1.25m; Ebrahim Al Nuaimi. A Moment of Meditation. 2019. Digital photograph, dibond print. 1.87x1.25m Courtesy of RAKFAF and the artists Sara Soud. The old man. 2019. Oil on canvas. 70x50cm. Courtesy of the artist 133 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 “ T H E U A E H A S A L W A Y S B E E N A W E LCO M I N G P L A C E GI V E N I T S LOC A T I O N O N H I S T O R I C T R A D E R O U T E S , A N D TO D A Y P E O P L E F R O M A L L O V E R T H E W O R L D CO N S I D E R I T A H O M E A W A Y F R O M H O M E ” HBA_038_132-135_The Review_Rakfaf_11232342.indd 13311/03/2020 06:22:48 PMits gripping glory. As part of the festi- val, the charismatic Yuyan also con- ducted a workshop on the art of telling stories through photography. On his experience with RAKFAF, Yuyan replies: “the exhibition was quite stunning—the outdoor setup in the ancient village was beautiful. It was great to have the opportunity to mentor and give a number of work- shops on photography to the public and to students, it’s terrifi c to have an educational component to the festi- val.” Every artwork set along the alleys and the windows of the abandoned houses are fascinating to admire and decipher as each artist offer different perspective, from humour to senti- ments, to connect communities in their artwork. Be it the emotionally charged Unravelled (2018) and Con- tainment (2019) installations by Selma Catovic Hughes and Ahmad Al Hussaini, respectively, Donell Gumiran’s poignant Faith (2018) photography, or the sensa- tional Redressing the Renais- sance (2018) by Re: Collective, one thing that each and every artwork establishes is the various interpreta- tions of society. “The exhibition and curated spaces are designed to pro- mote shared experiences, each partici- pating artist and director contributes a uniquely personal perspective on community,” expresses bin Bisher. “We hope the exhibition and fi lm screenings encourage festival guests to consider the places they personally experience community and how these spaces inspire both a sense of identity as well as connections to others and the world around them.” The festival will not change a per- son by the end of its trail; however, it will leave one recognising the com- radeship fostered between different communities in the country. It will merely let a per- son contemplate the realities stroked into the allur- ing arts. “As the world becomes more connected, art is one possible tool for opening genuine dia- logues that help us to learn, grow, and connect with one another,” opines bin Bisher. “In addition to technical knowledge and skills, addressing future challenges will require empathy and appreciation for our differences, something the UAE recognises through its values of tolerance, inclusion, and coop- eration. Artistic platforms and events have the inherent potential to foster this deeper appreciation for the perspectives and experiences of others.” The Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival will run until 31 March 2020 at Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Vil- lage, Ras Al Khaimah with you, but I respect you’ box is a striking testa- ment of the ideals of tolerance and diversity in the country and offers a delightful ode to the festival theme. The fort of the village houses selected works of Kiliii Yuyan, an award-winning Siberian Native and Chinese-American photographer, from his Peo- ple of the Whale (2018) series and Women of the Idi- tarod (2019) series. Yuyan is the festival’s Honorary Visiting Artist, with his participation in the festival being supported by a grant from the U.S. Mission in the UAE. One of the fi rst pieces to be encoun- tered, his hauntingly beautiful images of people clad in heavy winter clothes, not only tells the story of an Arctic indigenous community and their rela- tionship with their environment, but the irony of the photos installed in a sandy habitat also illus- trates the theme of Connected Communities in all Salama Al Nuaimi. Guilt. 2019. Digital software (procreate on iPad Pro). Exhibition digibond print size 150x150cm. Courtesy of the artist 134 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 Gilda Jabbari. Through the Eyvan (A-201). 2018. Photography – digital C-type print. Exhibition digibond 110x150cm. Courtesy of the artist The REVIEW HBA_038_132-135_The Review_Rakfaf_11232342.indd 13411/03/2020 06:22:55 PM135 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 Donell Gumiran. Faith. 2018. Digital photography. Exhibition, dibond print. 135x200cm. Courtesy of the artist HBA_038_132-135_The Review_Rakfaf_11232342.indd 13511/03/2020 06:23:01 PM136 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 SUJATA BAJAJ: L’ORDRE DU MONDE Renowned French novelist Jean-Claude Carrière has known Indian contemporary artist Sujata Bajaj for nearly two decades, since her fi st exhibition in Paris. In this hardcover tome, Carrière uncovers Bajaj’s riveting artistic journey, an artist whose work has caught the attention of collectors from all over the world with her sense of fusing reds and sharp lines. “Reward or no reward, I do what I must do, with all my strength,” she writes. “It is my dharma, my only vessel. If I did not do my duty, all that is solid and substantial would vanish and the world would be plunged into a demeaning darkness.” Sujata’s paintings poetically speak to the viewer with a hopeful essence and authenticity. The book is a riveting account of the artist’s extraordinary work, featuring a mountain of images and insightful texts. sujatabajaj.com PABLO PICASSO: THE IMPOSSIBLE COLLECTION “When I was a child my mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier you’ll be a general. If you become a monk you’ll end up as the pope.’ Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso,” said the legendary Spanish painter once. Written by French art historian and curator Diana Widmaier Picasso, this insightful limited edition volume is dedicated to Pablo Picasso’s revolutionary oeuvre, highlighting his most powerful paintings, prints and sculptures through over 100 illustrations. Assouline. Dhs 3,460, assouline.com FREDDIE MERCURY A TO Z: THE LIFE OF AN ICON FROM MARY AUSTIN TO ZANZIBAR Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her several self-portraits and art pieces inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Her life and art resonated with people of colour, people with disabilities and with those who stood against political injustices. This book explores some of the key topics Frida was always passionate about: activism, community, duality, folk art, granizo, identity, jewellery, nature and many more. “She lived intensely, painfully, passionately—her life was as rich in love as it was in pain,” writes Nadia Bailey, describing Frida’s unique personality. “She wasn’t a simple person nor was she easy. She contained deep contradictions. She was extremely generous but incredibly needy. She was humble but vain about her appearance.” The book also pays homage to her experiences, her defi nition of womanhood and to her extraordinary life. Smith Street Books. Dhs55, smithstreetbooks.com HBA_038_136-137_Talking Art_11199837.indd 13611/03/2020 09:32:00 AM137 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 DAVID BAILEY English fashion and portrait photographer David Bailey, one of the pioneers of contemporary photography, has captured some of the most iconic images of the last fi ve decades. Bailey’s work has seen him photograph British icons by the likes of Kate Moss and Mick Jagger, to name a couple. His simple yet captivating black and white images have taken up a genre of their own and secured him as the hip tastemaker for the sixties London cool. This book covers Bailey’s incredible career by revealing the many emotions his photographs have caught, to be kept forever. The photographer’s artistic images represent powerful writers, artists and fellow photographers, showcasing sweeping cultural history and how it has transformed from the last six decades. Featured subjects include Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Kate Moss, Nelson Mandela, Francis Bacon, Zaha Hadid, the Rolling Stones, Jack Nicholson, Brigitte Bardot, Margaret Thatcher and hundreds more. Taschen. Dhs11,019, taschen.com REMBRANDT: THE COMPLETE PAINTINGS The Dutch Golden Age solidifi ed some of history’s greatest master painters. This tome is devoted to none other than the oeuvre and legacy of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669). Although never having left his homeland, Netherlands, Rembrandt anticipated the boundaries of his own experience, bringing some of art’s most diverse and infl uential woks to life across portraiture, biblical, allegorical, landscape and genre scenes. This volume explores Rembrandt’s intricate paintings—the totality of each subtle facial wrinkle, gaze, or fi gure summing to an emotional force that stands supreme among his contemporaries and artistic progeny alike. Every art piece is instilled with raw emotion, for example, Bathsheba at her Bath has become a vehicle for mediation on human longing, searching depths beyond that which is beatifi ed in scripture or depicted by other forms. The master painter covered portraits of people from various social statuses, from wealthy patrons or tradesmen, who all depict the essence of an individual through fi ne differentiations, their faces suffused in an ethereal light against darkened earthy tones. Taschen. Dhs735, taschen.com If art could speak, what would it say? REEFAYA NOORTAJ reviews the newest tomes on art and photography you need on your radar ART Ta lk ing The BOOKS HBA_038_136-137_Talking Art_11199837.indd 13711/03/2020 09:33:43 AMStudio VISIT A visit to Alena Vavilina’s exquisitely designed Dubai studio reveals dreamlike creatures that are brought to life through the award-winning artist’s ethereal art pieces, writes Beena Pagarani SOULS Magical 138 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 HBA_038_138-141_Studio Visit_ Alena Vavilina_11206370.indd 13811/03/2020 12:37:33 PM139 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2017 Facing page: Black Collection’s Golden Cherry. 2018. Gold leaf and acrylic on black paper. 50x65cm; This page: Alena Vavilina in her studio HBA_038_138-141_Studio Visit_ Alena Vavilina_11206370.indd 13911/03/2020 12:37:42 PMNext >