MEET UAE’S EXCITING NEWART CURATOR DESIGN DIARY
Christopher Benton’s newshow subverts all the trappings of a typical gallery exhibit
Live in style as Dubai- based interior designer
takes us into theworld of interior design through this weekly feature
Pratyush Sarup
UAE- based American artist Christopher Benton presents his first show as a curator at maisan15, a gallery, library, garden and restaurant in the outskirts of Dubai. Entitled Do You See Me How I See You?, it’s a must- see show featuring the next generation of UAE art stars, while also offering up a lot of food for thought.
The UAE’s arts and cultural landscape is steered by big institutions and commercial galleries, so this exhibition marks a breath of fresh air for a rare independently- organised showin Dubai.
“Alot of people are intimidated by the term ‘ art’, so this environment eases their discovery of materials, method and cultures,” said Rami Farook, an influential Emirati artist and collector who also owns the restaurant that the showis housed in. “I view restaurants as semi public spaces with an opportunity to facilitate its guests experience of art.”
Immediately, you can tell that this exhibition is different. Instead of wall text at the entrance, the guest is greeted with a bunch of questions. Instead of a show catalogue, there is a book of poetry fromthe artists in the show.
The theme is home.“In a time of closed borders, Covid quarantining, and a refugee crisis, the idea ofhome and identity has never been more important,” Benton said. “I want visitors to take time to slow down and think: What’s important? What makes a place feel like home? Howcan you appreciate things more?”
Each of the 11 artists in the show deal with home differently. Benton’s brilliant ‘ GCC Best Friends’ textile work features a massive kandoora designed to fit three people, along with a positivemessage of unity in the Gulf. Indian designer Ashay Bhave presents a giant steel SIM card sculpture that weighs 20kg. Prankster Rakan Ghresi’s Are We There Yet? shows a five- minute loop of an animated pink Land Cruiser driving around in circles.
Putting a show of high- calibre artists in a restaurant, instead of a normal white cube gallery, offers up interesting encounters. Benton’s photograph of a bedspace is in the entrance where Deliveroo drivers who may live in a bedspace can see it. Mohammad Khalid’s intimate, pastel- washed Soap Series presents five ceramic sculptures shaped like soaps that fittingly leads away fromthe seating booths towards the bathrooms.
Many of the works feature food. Aphoto series of patriotic cakes byArab--
American artist Layan Attari is confrontational yet funny. The showstopper is sure to be Swiss artist and DJ Maxime Cramatte’s Shawarma Disco Soundsystem, which does just as its name says: it’s a spinning disco ball and speaker that’s shaped like shawarma, inspired by cafeterias in Satwa. The work is accessible and clearly designed for Instagram- sharing, but also thoughtful with a lot of heart.
An undercurrent of nostalgia marks the work of the Emirati artists in the show. Sultan Khamis Al Remeithi shares a seductively beautiful airbrush painting of his family’s villa, created during stayathome orders. Street photographer Esmat Rabi’s contributes an image of an old woman and an old hotel, both touching on ideas of family and memory.
Once again, Benton proves himself to be one of UAE’s most exciting emerging talents, creating thought- provoking art and interventions while building a community around him.