Does the UAE feel like home? This is the first of a series of questions posed by artist Christopher Benton. It continues: Where is home for you? Do you feel like an alien in your own country? How long do you think you’ll stay in UAE?
These come in a form of a poem, displayed at the entrance of an exhibition Benton has curated titled Do You See Me How I See You?
On view at the restaurant and art space maisan15, the show is about the notion of home in the UAE, and the many ways the concept can be fractured or muddied for locals and residents alike in a country that is fast changing.
Do You See Me How I See You? features 11 artists from places such as the UAE, the US, Switzerland, Philippines, Kuwait and India, namely Ahmad Bouholaigah, Ashay Bhave, Augustine Paredes, Esmat Rabi, Layan Attari, Maxime Cramatte of Satwa 3000, Mohamed Khalid, Rakan Ghresi, Rami Farook, Sultan Khamis Al Remeithi and Benton himself. Their works range from video and photography to installations and sculpture.
Benton, who is American, had put together the show after meeting with Rami Farook, a fellow artist and art collector who runs maisan15. Farook was looking to put on an art exhibit in the space that would be curated by an emerging artist, curator or critic. Benton fit the bill and conceptualised Do You See Me How I See You?, making it the second official exhibition at the space.
Here, the artist and curator shares insights about going outside the institutional model to showcase works and what home means for him.
The question of ‘home’ in the UAE is one of those topics that is often discussed, but rarely resolved – when it came to selecting the artists and works for this show, how did you want to address the issue of ‘home’ differently?
Home is such a familiar curatorial topic in the UAE to the point of being a cliche, so it was important that I broached it from a new angle. Instead of a jargon-filled wall text, the show was introduced with a poem that talks about doing border runs, being stateless, and saving money to go back to your home country, wherever that is.
These are common shared experiences that don’t get talked about much in public, but it brings up critical questions. Is home your passport, where your parents live, or is it where you are now?
In his sculpture Subscriber Identity Module, artist Ashay Bhave postulates that for the transient expat, home is whatever SIM card is in your phone. My theory was that these sort of conflicts are explicit in the work of young artists.
It was also essential to include artists who represent the multiplicity of identities and experiences here: Augustine Paredes is from the Philippines, Ashay Bhave is Indian, Mohamed Khalid grew up in the UAE, and many of the other artists have such complex backgrounds that they have difficulty expressing where they’re from at all. Their strategies also differ wildly: Esmat Rabi and Sultan Khamis Al Remeithi – both Emirati artists who’ve lived aboard – use nostalgia as a pose to try to hold on to a place that’s ever-changing.
Meanwhile artists like Layan Attari and Rakan Ghresi use humor as a way of subversively delivering social critique. It goes without saying that while America is called a “melting pot,” there’s no place as worldly and integrated as the UAE.
Independently organised shows like these are not very common in the UAE. How does this impact you and the artists in the show, and the UAE art scene as a whole?
Outside bait15 in Abu Dhabi, nearly all of the spaces in UAE are commercial or institutional, which fosters a specific sort of art that is more about ‘credentialisation’, formality and academic-centered work.
At the same time, I see little support for street art, pop art or less formal ways of making, for example. Ironically, that kind of art is probably the most popular with audiences and would lead to more footfall. That’s why grassroots and DIY spaces are essential.
In this show, I really wanted to platform people who seemed at the edges of the art world: most of the artists have commercial creative practices as animators, directors, photographers or graphic designers. I hope this show proves that people from these backgrounds have potent things to say.
How you do expect the works to be experienced in their current setting as opposed to a gallery?
maisan15 is a hybrid space that functions as a cafe, restaurant, library and gallery. People chiefly come to the space to have good food, but they also encounter the art as a consequence of that.
I love the idea of legibility and seduction: so a guest might be piqued by a piece of art that is strange or beautiful or spectacular, and then will be inspired to inspect more, ask questions or share it online. In that way, I chose artists whose work is accessible at the surface, but that has tension upon closer inspection. Satwa 3000's Shawarma Disco Soundsystem sculpture was a big hit on Instagram; but it also functions as an elegy to neighborhoods like Satwa that are quickly gentrifying.
What is your own relationship to the UAE? What keeps you here and how long do you plan to stay?
I’m from Virginia and moved here from New York City eight years ago. My mother Candace moved here first, to take a job as a teacher. Back then Abu Dhabi was aggressively and lavishly hiring American teachers.
Like many, I remain here because the opportunities can’t be beat and the comforts are world-class. I’ll be here as long as the country will continue to welcome me. Perhaps one day I hope to operate a space here to support emerging artists, creatives and makers.
Do You See Me How I See You? is currently on view at maisan15, with works on sale. Recently, the artists have published a 60-page catalogue for the exhibition, available at the space
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
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
'Hocus%20Pocus%202'
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Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Squad: Majed Naser, Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Khamis Esmail, Habib Fardan, Mohammed Marzouq (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalid Essa, Muhanad Salem, Mohammed Ahmed, Ismail Ahmed, Ahmed Barman, Amer Abdulrahman, Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif, Fares Juma, Mohammed Fawzi, Khalfan Mubarak, Mohammed Jamal, Ahmed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Ahmed Rashid, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Wahda), Tariq Ahmed, Mahmoud Khamis, Khalifa Mubarak, Jassim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Yousef Saeed (Sharjah), Suhail Al Nubi (Baniyas)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
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.
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
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RESULT
Bournemouth 0 Southampton 3 (Djenepo (37', Redmond 45' 1, 59')
Man of the match Nathan Redmond (Southampton)
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The Greatest Royal Rumble card
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
SPECS
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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 specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
