Beach Night in Ajman
While staying with the family in Ajman, one of Dubai’s neighboring Emirates, created some logistical problems for me once Art Dubai was in full-force, staying with the family did create some unique experiences. Since daytime temperatures are scorchers most of the year, outdoor public spaces are bustling at night, especially at the beaches. The overwhelming [...]
Abbas Akhavan’s for now: for the birds @ Art Dubai
One Art Dubai project I really enjoyed is Abbas Akhavan’s for now: for the birds. I walked outside to smell some air at the Jumeriah Water Terrace, when I heard the sweet sound of birds chirping. It took me a few seconds to realize that the bird sound scape was just that.
Nav Haq Treasure Hunt Part Deux: A “Sort-Of” Stalking
Several days before I left for Art Dubai, I went with my dear friend Sarah to see Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance, and the Camera Since 1870 at the SFMOMA. Exposed highlights five types of voyeuristic photographs: street, the sexually explicit, celebrity stalking, photographs of death and violence, and surveillance in its many forms. Most forms of [...]
Art Dubai Writing and Great Design from the Middle East
I don’t have a final count, but it looks like I took over 2,000 photos while I was in Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman. I guess that’s no surprise to me, but I thought I was being restrained. I’ve been organizing my photos and writing the stories that go with them. I decided yesterday that the main output for [...]
After All That Rain
When: Right Now Trying to write, I saw a small circle of sun appear on my window. “The sun decided to come out after all that rain.” From small, it got larger, and larger, and larger. I had to open the blind and look outside. Swipe Hello Sutter Street Hello Sunshine It’s over so [...]
Movie of the Week: No One Knows About Persian Cats (Iran, 2009)
Director: Bahman Ghobadi Genre: Docudrama Running Time: 102 minutes With: Negar Shaghaghi, Ashkan Koshanejad, Hamed Behdad From IFC…….. “NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS is the fifth feature by award-winning director Bahman Ghobadi (A TIME FOR DRUNKEN HORSES, TURTLES CAN FLY), winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the Cannes film festival. Co-written [...]
Home Sweet Home…with a load of art-candy!
After a 16 hour Emirates Air flight home to San Francisco, the entire family is back to our normal routines. Habibi is back at work with a bunch of Burj al Arab glass souvenirs, key chains, and postcards, Omar is watching the PBS Kids morning line up and eating chicken soup for breakfast while I [...]
Days One and Two: March Meetings, Sharjah
The first part of my Art Dubai adventure is wrapping up. I’ve spent the last 2 days at the Sharjah Radisson for March Meetings, a 3 day event that corresponds with the Sharjah Biennial. Sharjah is Dubai’s neighboring Emirate, and has been monumental in shaping the Gulf art scene with its biennial happening since 1993. This year, the [...]
One More Day Til I Fly Away
We board our flight to Dubai tomorrow. SFO to DXB via Emirates Airlines, non-stop! Heaven! (Yeah, I’ll be telling you if Emirates is as posh as you’ve heard!) My favorite camera is back from being repaired (thanks Canon!) I received my MOO mini-cards in the mail a day early, and I’m finishing up my portfolio as [...]
The Polyglot: Fashion and the Middle East
I love The Polyglot. I love old photographs of all kinds, and The Polyglot has a plethora of vintage fashion photos shot in the Middle East. He also shares fascinating stories about Eastern fashionistas past and present, designers, and collections. Block out some time, and enjoy looking through the fabulous photos and savoring the fascinating [...]