On an unusually warm night last week, as part of London’s Safar Film Festival running until July 9, Dubai-based Gulf Photo Plus held its first Slidefest outside the Middle East.
Six Arab photographers from around the world presented their work to a packed-out crowd at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Part travelling roadshow, part Pecha Kucha – a presentation of 20 images each displayed for 20 seconds – the Slidefest concept was conceived by GPP director Mohamed Somji in 2009 “out of a frustration that we didn't have a place to show work by photographers”.
Although the UAE's cultural infrastructure has developed almost beyond recognition in the past 14 years, alongside that of the region, the concept is going strong because “there are still few spaces for artists in the Middle East to show work in conventional exhibitions”.
Slidefest offers established and emerging photographers an opportunity to show their work to a wide audience made up of photography and art fans, as well as people who are curious about the creative scene in the Arab world and diaspora.
“What we love about it is that photography is so accessible, it brings in a lot of people who wouldn’t necessarily come to an exhibition they might feel is more conceptual,” says Somji.
The evening started with a presentation over Zoom by British-Egyptian Laura El-Tantawy, who lives in London but is currently hosting a workshop in Germany. Despite some technical and buffering issues, the artistry and expressiveness of El-Tantawy’s work remained undiminished.
The images were taken from a book compiled between 2012 and 2017 entitled Beyond Here is Nothing, which offers a meditation on “home”. Alongside a slideshow of slightly off-centre and shadowy images of clouds, red skies, birds, spiders, faces, water drops, roots and trees, El-Tantawy read out phrases such as “being somewhere but never completely”; and “constantly searching for familiarity in my surroundings”.
The images seemed at once exceedingly familiar, but also hazy, often seen in the form of a reflection or through a pane of glass or a filter, as if from a distance, there but not quite there.
“The words have to complement the images,” explained El-Tantawy, who said the idea of the book itself, which has a unique 3D format and opens upwards as well as to the sides, “is about going on a journey and getting lost and frustrated”.
The artist’s inspiration was deeply personal and emotional. “But it's also about history, where we come from, our place in the world, how we view the world, our biases.”
Her latest work, Pang’Ono Pang’Ono is a commission by Water Aid about the challenge many women in Malawi face to find clean water every day. El-Tantawy’s approach is to dwell on the emotional and physical toll this daily hardship causes. The result was raw, rich and beautiful, a constant “negotiation between the abstract and the realistic”.
Next up was Beirut's Dia Mrad, an architect-turned-artist, who also dialled in via Zoom. His latest photographic series, shown at Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai earlier this year, Utilities, focused on the material manifestations of Lebanon’s continuing economic crisis and the layers of new infrastructure that have appeared as a result.
Photos of chaotic electricity boxes connect homes to private generators; roofs are covered in forests of solar panels; terraces are consumed by water tanks and cables (a consequence of long periods with no electricity is also having no water); and an old Mercedes-Benz with a large water cistern strapped precariously to its luggage rack.
The images also depict ATMs with lockable doors, something that has appeared in recent years as a result of increasingly desperate people attempting to dismantle the machines to get to the money behind them.
“These are ordinary objects that shouldn’t be about much more than their function, but that have instead become artefacts of the crisis,” said Mrad, before plunging into darkness as the electricity went out in Beirut. His aim, he said after returning, was to create a survey of how the tangible repercussions of the crisis have changed the urban landscape of Beirut, and how the wealthier citizens are, the more extra infrastructure they have.
He was also keen “to highlight the absurdity of it all”, saying that the proliferation of solar panels has “put Lebanon on the map of emerging green countries”, despite the country’s slow-burning economic and government collapse.
Other difficult issues were explored as the evening progresses. Viewers observed compelling black-and-white documentary photography and video content by Dublin-based Ala Buisir, who interviewed hunger strikers imprisoned in Northern Ireland’s notorious H-Blocks and Guantanamo Bay prisoners to show the inhumane criminalisation and degrading treatment they endured.
Lina Geoushy, who splits her time between Cairo and London, showed a photographic project about sexual violence in Egypt, with women photographed in their own homes, gardens, balconies and living rooms. Parts of their testimonies were written in cursive text on the photos themselves.
Geoushy was asked after her presentation how she defends herself from simplistic views about the Arab world. “They want to fulfil a stereotype that Middle Eastern women are singularly oppressed,” she replied, “but I always try to emphasise that sexual violence is a universal issue.”
One thing that stood out during the evening is how much of what we see is not just about imagery but also words. Most of the photographers have done substantive interview and research work and writing to accompany their projects. “This reflects the way photography is moving to more of a multilayered approach,” says Somji. “We are always resisting the notion that a photo can speak a 1,000 words – we believe that context is everything.”
The next presentation, by Palestinian Samar Hazboun, challenged biases some in the West may have about the Arab world, through issues of gender and sexuality during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
It’s clear that Slidefest sees part of its remit as challenging these notions. “I think that engaging audiences with nuanced work definitely allows for a more complicated reading of societal and political issues in the Arab world,” says Somji by email after the event.
What’s interesting is the way the Covid-19 lockdowns exacerbated many of the issues raised in these photographic reportages. As well as limited funding possibilities and the fact that there are so few outlets and platforms for photographers, there’s another challenge to becoming better known as a photographer in the Middle East, says Geoushy.
“There’s a tendency for new outlets and galleries to represent and commission western photographers to make work in our region, which means there’s always a risk of misrepresentation. It’s also unfair because there are a lot of talented photographers and artists in our region who would be more suited for such commissions and exhibitions.”
The last photographer of the night was London teacher Sana Badri, who showed images of life in areas of North London that are undergoing, or at risk of, regeneration and redevelopment. Her presentation was understated and poignant, focusing on multicultural markets, a neighbourhood of shisha cafes that is disappearing and a bike shop that was a real community gathering space for young people but closed down due to noise complaints.
As Somji says: “Photographers like Sana would face a lot of gatekeepers in trying to break through into an exhibition or event.” Her session at Slidefest is an opportunity to meet and connect with a community of global and local diaspora artists – and an opportunity for a very mixed audience to get to know an engaging new talent.
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
The%20specs
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
More from Neighbourhood Watch
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Bullet%20Train
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