How can two people who live in the same city, even in the same house, occupy two very different spaces? The opening artwork of a new Ishara Art Foundation exhibition titled Sheher, Prakriti, Devi asks this very question.
Buildings and Trees presents a grid of 36 artworks by curator Gauri Gill and her mother, Vinnie. Gill’s photographs depicts structures across Delhi, many of which, with their post-globalist architectural tendencies, can perhaps be seamlessly transplanted anywhere else in the world. The monochrome archival prints are juxtaposed with paintings by Vinnie Gill. The works present blossoming trees found throughout the city and, having been painted with watercolours and pastels on rough paper, provide a sharp textural and colourful contrast to the photographs.
Both Gauri and Vinnie Gill have dedicated a significant part of their careers to studying Delhi within their respective art-forms. While Gill has been exhibiting internationally since 1995, and has participated in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and arts event, including the Venice Biennale, New York’s Museum of Modern Art and London’s Tate Museum, her mother’s practice has been a relatively private one.
“[Vinnie Gill] has been a self taught and practicing artist for the past 40 years, but she’s never had gallery exhibitions or anything like that,” says Sabih Ahmed, head curator at Ishara Art Foundation. “She's a different kind of a practitioner, who's been studying the trees, flowers, birds, shrines of Delhi and wherever else she goes.”
Buildings and Trees clearly displays the diverging themes and practices of Gill and her mother. Their contrasting studies of Delhi, however, becomes all the more interesting when considering they live in the same house.
“Both of them are studying the city,” Ahmed says. “And I think what struck Gauri is how [they’re] seeing two completely different worlds in the same city. For Gauri, the city is [made up of] rigid lines, concrete forms, glass and metal. For her mother, it is generative, abundant, seasonal and colourful.”
This juxtaposition is a pivotal theme throughout Sheher, Prakriti, Devi – and it accounts for not just a human-centric perception of natural and urban spaces. The title of the exhibition is drawn from the Hindustani words for city, nature and deity.
Running until June 1, the exhibition marks Gill’s first major curation. The show draws from themes prevalent in her own practice, specifically from her documentation of urban and semi-urban spaces in India – a practice she began in 2003 and continues today. Depicting contrasting perspectives of lived spaces is a seminal preoccupation within Gill’s work.
However, between the varying mediums and methodologies of the 12 participating artists, Sheher, Prakriti, Devi presents a multifaceted perspective of urban and semi-urban environments, accounting for mystical as well as natural perceptions.
In Pigeon as Metaphor, for instance, Mariam Suhail depicts airborne pigeons across several pencil drawings. Suhail observed pigeons who occupied colonial homes across South Asia, and saw within them a sort of protest or takeover by nature. One drawing in the series, showing a flock of pigeons are taking flight along a long vertical space. The drawing reflects upon the tendency of pigeons to occupy the chute often found across colonial homes in South Asia.
“A lot of pigeons, uninvitedly, occupy these chutes,” Ahmed says. “A lot of times, they remain unclean and just birds inhabit them.”
Suhail’s drawing are displayed perpendicularly to a three panel work by Shefalee Jain. Entitled My locust with round cheeks Why don't you fly away now?, the work draws inspiration from a Hindi short story, where locusts witness a city under devastation. Jain’s pen-drawn panels depict bulldozers clawing at the earth, chimneys belching out smog, there are protesters rallying against the swathes of pollution, as well as construction workers and soldiers. Watching this mosaic of industrial destruction are giant man-faced locusts and flocks of birds.
“Shefalee is also an illustrator for children's books,” Ahmed says. “There's a language of really playing with drawing and illustration. What she's done quite remarkably here is shown an expansive view of the city where you’d have the shrine, factory owners deciding what to do, protesters, but what she’s done interestingly is, based on the different vantage point, the creatures seem bigger than the machines.”
As its title suggests, Sheher, Prakriti, Devi also takes the sacred into account. Hindu deities are found throughout several works. In Das Mahavidya (Ten Great Wisdoms), for instance, Chamba Rumal weavers employ a 17th century embroidery technique to depict each of the 10 tantric goddesses. The minute level of detail, as well as the scenes the silk embroideries depict, are striking. The works are displayed on a glass installation, making it possible to view from the other side and appreciate the nuances of the craft.
“In any weave, you have a lot of frayed threads coming out the back, this has none,” Ahmed says. “This weaving tradition has been developed in such a way that you take a thread and keep looping it, so that there are no frayed threads. It’s a tradition that began in the 17th century and was primarily led by women. It had sort of died out but in 1990s, it was revived again by the Delhi Craft Council.”
Hindu deities and the notion and nature of the sacred comes across several other pieces, such as the works of Emily Avery Yoshiko Crow, who depicts the goddess Tara in watercolours and natural pigments, whereas Chiara Camoni alludes to the mystical and the sacred with her Tent, an artwork that comprises large vegetal prints hanging in the centre of the exhibition space.
It is chiefly through how many of these works are displayed and contrasted between one another that the exhibition succeeds in revealing the kaleidoscopic nature of perspective. The focus and themes presented in Sheher, Prakriti, Devi effortlessly ripple beyond cultural and social boundaries so that as you leave the exhibition, you do so with a heightened awareness of the many eyes – human and non-human – that are watching over the space you are inhabiting.
In this way, Sheher, Prakriti, Devi is an almost transcendental exhibition that provides ample food for thought that you’ll find yourself nibbling at long after your initial visit.
Sheher, Prakriti, Devi is running at Ishara Art Foundation until June 1
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
Slow loris biog
From: Lonely Loris is a Sunda slow loris, one of nine species of the animal native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore
Status: Critically endangered, and listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list due to growing demand in the global exotic pet trade. It is one of the most popular primate species found at Indonesian pet markets
Likes: Sleeping, which they do for up to 18 hours a day. When they are awake, they like to eat fruit, insects, small birds and reptiles and some types of vegetation
Dislikes: Sunlight. Being a nocturnal animal, the slow loris wakes around sunset and is active throughout the night
Superpowers: His dangerous elbows. The slow loris’s doe eyes may make it look cute, but it is also deadly. The only known venomous primate, it hisses and clasps its paws and can produce a venom from its elbow that can cause anaphylactic shock and even death in humans
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
The years Ramadan fell in May
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
