In the smaller project space upstairs at The Third Line Gallery this month is a new show by Farah Al Qasimi, an Emirati photographer.
Farah Al Qasimi’s The World Is Sinking is a series of idiosyncratic images capturing the trivial and often overlooked details of locations around Dubai, to offer a different perspective of the city.
They include a dirty sink at the back of a butcher’s shop with a garishly colourful wall confusing the image; a dropped water pistol on a sandy floor with only a female foot in the corner of the frame to give it context; an extreme close-up of a faux rocky landscape from a family theme park.
All of the images are hung in a space whose neon-pink walls transport the viewer directly into Al Qasimi’s world.
Her practice focuses on photographing the unusual and presenting as art scenes that would otherwise be seen as throwaway images.
This new show is no different. She is fascinated by the rapid change of Dubai’s landscape in the name of growth and development, and so these curious images force the viewer to look at things differently.
Described as having a humorous and multicultural approach, Al Qasimi’s practice also stems from her formal training as a musician, in that she is interested in the rhythm of the images and the ensuing reaction from the audience.
• The World Is Sinking runs until November 8 at The Third Line, Dubai. Visit www.thethirdline.com
aseaman@thenational.ae