"Your parents leave a place, and somehow you have this deep connection to it – even if you've never been there, or you don't quite understand it," says artist Rand Abdul Jabbar about her latest project, Every Act of Recognition Alters What Survives, which looks at generations of diaspora.
"You're always feeling somewhere in between. It was getting to that 'in between' – and opening up that conversation to other voices to see how they think about it – that allows you to start making sense of your own experience," she says.
The Baghdad-born artist, who lives in Abu Dhabi, is developing her new work for Shubbak, a biennial festival of theatre and performance by Arab artists held in London. The event will return to the UK capital this year; however, dates are yet to be announced.
Abdul Jabbar's ongoing research project draws on her own past and asks what it has in common with women who left their home countries at different stages of their lives – or who have never even been there.
Last summer, in collaboration with the London art and community organisation Grand Junction, as well as the Iraqi Association charity, she invited about 30 women living in the UK, of Iraqi, Syrian and Moroccan heritage, to a series of workshops. She asked each participant to bring an object of sentimental value. They were instructed to explore the mementoes for their material properties, in activities such as sketching and blind contour drawing, when you sketch a continuous outline of a piece without looking at the paper. Over the weeks, the objects opened up stories from the women's past.
"Oftentimes our history is written by others," says Abdul Jabbar. "And it's a history of war and violence because the media representation of Iraq doesn't reflect our own experiences. The intention here was to take ownership of those narratives. It's about a legacy: that's why it's called 'Every Act of Recognition Alters What Survives'. It's about what you leave behind and how you contribute to the narrative around you."
One woman, Maha, brought what she called her "book of memories", in which she had for years noted down the recipes from the dishes served at the Baghdad social gatherings she'd attended. Another, Maysoun, from Iraq, brought a handwoven orange, yellow and red jodaliyyah, or blanket, that had been passed down through generations as a wedding gift, and was given to her by her mother when she was a bride. Shezza, from Syria, showed a set of small glass turtles that she had as a child; a species that carries its home on its back. They were one of the few things she packed when she left her home country.
Abdul Jabber says a spirit of trust developed among the women, who contributed to the discussions via Zoom from their homes. Some knew each other from before, there was a mother-and-daughter pair, and a core group emerged over the weeks of the workshops, allowing the women to delve into their pasts.
One Iraqi woman, Souad, showed a slightly rustic brass coin box from Al Rafidain Bank. The structure is a replica of the famous twisted minaret at the Malwiya mosque in Samarra, about 125 kilometres north of Baghdad. "Before I started this project, this … was merely a decorative item on my windowsill," she says in the text about the work on its website. "Now that I have allowed myself to think about all aspects of this object, my memories and feelings have started to erupt inside my head like a volcano. It feels as if my memories were bottled up in a soda bottle and now that I have shaken it, they have started to spill everywhere."
The coin box was given to her by her former sister-in-law, on the last occasion when the two saw each other. She had associated it with that fraught meeting, but now gives it a happier shade: her memory of when she climbed the minaret with her family as a girl in the late 1970s. She, her sister and her sister’s friends reached the top of the 52-metre ziggurat just as the sun was about to go down, and looked out over the rest of her family picnicking on a rug below.
In her sculptures, Abdul Jabbar also considers how material objects bear memory. She trained as an architect in Canada and the US, and transitioned to an art practice when she returned to the UAE after her studies.
She is best known for Earthly Wonders, Celestial Beings (2019–ongoing), a series of small, glossy ceramics inspired by Mesopotamian artefacts.
Perfect circles, for example, evoke the alert, frontal-facing eyes of Sumerian statuary, but the ceramics also evince a strangeness with origins impossible to pinpoint. Poised midway between utility and figuration, they fit neither category fully, as if our imagination of what these items are, or might have been used for, is out of step with the objects themselves.
In making them, the artist says they refer not only to Iraq's Mesopotamian past, but also to the ceramics that her parents had as decorative objects in the houses in which she grew up, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Canada. Every Act of Recognition leans into this biographical aspect of Abdul Jabbar's work, while retaining the idea of time being a-linear, or varying in how it affects different subjects.
Longing, loss and material reminiscences are familiar approaches to the representation of diaspora, but this project pays close attention to generational distinctions. The women in the group ranged in ages from teens to those in their late sixties, and framed their emotional experiences of diaspora differently.
“The older group was saying that we wanted to shelter our children from our pain,” says Abdul Jabbar. “That we tried our best to protect them, but sometimes it was out of our hands, like when we’d be calling our family back home or watching the news. As much as they tried to shield their children, things pass through, and they felt a sort of guilt about that. Meanwhile, the younger generation was saying: ‘You didn’t have to try to pass on that guilt; it wasn’t something intentional. I felt your pain. I saw it in your eyes. I saw it in the way you behaved.’”
The summer workshops were the first phase of a multi-part project that will conclude during Shubbak. The final shape for the performance and installations is yet to be determined, but the women's stories have already gone online, in recordings and text in Arabic and English. "These are universal stories," says Abdul Jabbar.
“There’s always this feeling of being other [in the diaspora], but these narratives are shared human experiences – passing on your language or creating rituals around a dish you have fond memories of. These are everyday experiences, regardless of your diasporic experience or where you come from. The project is about adding a bit more of layered complexity to the way we approached that part of the world and the people that come from it.”
More information is at www.actsofrecognition.com and www.shubbak.co.uk
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
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
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What should do investors do now?
What does the S&P 500's new all-time high mean for the average investor?
Should I be euphoric?
No. It's fine to be pleased about hearty returns on your investments. But it's not a good idea to tie your emotions closely to the ups and downs of the stock market. You'll get tired fast. This market moment comes on the heels of last year's nosedive. And it's not the first or last time the stock market will make a dramatic move.
So what happened?
It's more about what happened last year. Many of the concerns that triggered that plunge towards the end of last have largely been quelled. The US and China are slowly moving toward a trade agreement. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely will not raise rates at all in 2019 after seven recent increases. And those changes, along with some strong earnings reports and broader healthy economic indicators, have fueled some optimism in stock markets.
"The panic in the fourth quarter was based mostly on fears," says Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. "The fundamentals have mostly held up, while the fears have gone away and the fears were based mostly on emotion."
Should I buy? Should I sell?
Maybe. It depends on what your long-term investment plan is. The best advice is usually the same no matter the day — determine your financial goals, make a plan to reach them and stick to it.
"I would encourage (investors) not to overreact to highs, just as I would encourage them not to overreact to the lows of December," Mr Schutte says.
All the same, there are some situations in which you should consider taking action. If you think you can't live through another low like last year, the time to get out is now. If the balance of assets in your portfolio is out of whack thanks to the rise of the stock market, make adjustments. And if you need your money in the next five to 10 years, it shouldn't be in stocks anyhow. But for most people, it's also a good time to just leave things be.
Resist the urge to abandon the diversification of your portfolio, Mr Schutte cautions. It may be tempting to shed other investments that aren't performing as well, such as some international stocks, but diversification is designed to help steady your performance over time.
Will the rally last?
No one knows for sure. But David Bailin, chief investment officer at Citi Private Bank, expects the US market could move up 5 per cent to 7 per cent more over the next nine to 12 months, provided the Fed doesn't raise rates and earnings growth exceeds current expectations. We are in a late cycle market, a period when US equities have historically done very well, but volatility also rises, he says.
"This phase can last six months to several years, but it's important clients remain invested and not try to prematurely position for a contraction of the market," Mr Bailin says. "Doing so would risk missing out on important portfolio returns."
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Switching%20sides
%3Cp%3EMahika%20Gaur%20is%20the%20latest%20Dubai-raised%20athlete%20to%20attain%20top%20honours%20with%20another%20country.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVelimir%20Stjepanovic%20(Serbia%2C%20swimming)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20raised%20in%20Dubai%2C%20he%20finished%20sixth%20in%20the%20final%20of%20the%202012%20Olympic%20Games%20in%20London%20in%20the%20200m%20butterfly%20final.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJonny%20Macdonald%20(Scotland%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBrought%20up%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20represented%20the%20region%20in%20international%20rugby.%20When%20the%20Arabian%20Gulf%20team%20was%20broken%20up%20into%20its%20constituent%20nations%2C%20he%20opted%20to%20play%20for%20Scotland%20instead%2C%20and%20went%20to%20the%20Hong%20Kong%20Sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20daughter%20of%20an%20English%20mother%20and%20Emirati%20father%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20in%20Dubai%2C%20then%20after%20attending%20university%20in%20the%20UK%20played%20for%20England%20at%20sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
