Fashion photographer Guy Bourdin's work on display in new Dubai exhibition


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An exhibition celebrating the work of famed, but sometimes controversial, fashion photographer Guy Bourdin has opened at Dubai's Mall of the Emirates.

It is the first time his work has been shown in the Middle East and it is currently on display at That Concept Store.

Credited as being the inventor of modern fashion photography, Bourdin brought to his work — and the wider industry — a skilful blend of surrealism, sensuality and a dark, twisted humour that still lingers today.

Bourdin's career spanned four decades, beginning in the 1950s until his death in 1991 at the age of 62. He worked for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. He also created advertising campaigns for Chanel, Bloomingdale's, Pentax and the French shoemaker Charles Jourdan.

With bold compositions, Guy Bourdin's work is often regarded as groundbreaking. Photo: Estate of Guy Bourdin
With bold compositions, Guy Bourdin's work is often regarded as groundbreaking. Photo: Estate of Guy Bourdin

Bourdin portrayed female models he photographed in new poses, drawing criticism for demeaning women. However, the women in his photographs are bold, controlling the image and all of the other people in it. Far from seeing women as subservient, Bourdin seemingly viewed them as powerful and looked to capture that through his work.

On display is a compact but balanced collection that shows off Bourdin's technical skill and flashes of his wit.

Having had exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern, The Getty museum, The National Art Museum of China and The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography to name a few, Bourdin's influence is widespread. His impact is still felt across fashion photography with the likes of Steven Meisel, Mert and Marcus, Miles Aldridge and David LaChapelle all drawing inspiration from Bourdin.

The exhibition is curated and organised by AP8 and sells framed, limited-edition prints.

“It has been a dream of mine to bring this sumptuous exhibition to the Middle East. There is no better place than That to showcase the artworks of the iconic Guy Bourdin — the photographer who was responsible for elevating fashion photography to an art form," says Viola Raikhel, curator and co-founder of AP8.

Bold and provocative, Guy Bourdin always searched for the most eye-catching, memorable image. Photo: Estate of Guy Bourdin.
Bold and provocative, Guy Bourdin always searched for the most eye-catching, memorable image. Photo: Estate of Guy Bourdin.

Bourdin’s place in history as a disruptor is well documented, with this exhibition offering the chance to see why.

The exhibition runs until March 7 at That Concept Store, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

The biog

Siblings: five brothers and one sister

Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota

Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym

Favourite place: UAE

Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera

What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books

2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL

Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)

Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)

The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Price, base: Dh1.2 million

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm

Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm

Fuel economy, combined:  12.3L / 100km (estimate)

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

MIDWAY

Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Updated: February 03, 2023, 3:43 PM`