In my introductory post, I spoke of the “Journey to here.” As with all journeys, this journey had a start, a period of travel and a desired destination. Whilst every human’s journey starts at birth, for practical reasons, we choose different inflection points at which to view the past, present and future. In Transit[ion] is one such inflection point.
In Transit[ion] was to be my first solo exhibition to be held in Dubai in April 2020. “Was to be” as from January to March the world rapidly descended into a state of panic. I had noticed anomalies in the markets in September 2019 and at one point told my wife “there is something big coming. I don’t know what but, it’s big.” Needless to say, the “something big” resulted in the cancellation of my exhibition. By February 2020, pretty much all of the 70 or so pieces of work had already been printed. The exhibition was shot entirely on film and all prints had been done by hand. In March this year, my wife and I gifted all of the unframed prints to a friend who in turn gifted them to her friends.
My introductory post spoke of lessons that I had learned. Well, here is such one such lesson -
No matter how skilled a mariner may be and how much a course is charted and planned – wind will be wind and weather will be weather. We may not be able to control what life throws at us but we can always control how we react and adapt to life’s storms.
In this spirit, I would like to share with you, for the first public viewing of these works:
In Transit[ion]
The following is an excerpt from the original proposal submitted to the gallery:
“For many expatriates, moving to the UAE is a stop off in their life’s journey – a pause between here and there. Many fall in love with this desert country with its warm hospitality and generous soul. For most, the idea of leaving comes too soon and unexpectedly.
My wife and I arrived in the UAE in the Autumn of 2015. In a way, one could say that we were economic refugees fleeing the land of our birth which could neither offer us safety nor sustenance. The UAE welcomed us with open arms and has nurtured us in preparation for the next leg of our journey.
In Transit[ion] showcases the journey of myself as a commercial photographer shooting on digital to life as an artist exploring various analogue and alternative print media. This journey is reflected in our experiences as expats settling into life in the UAE.”
Whilst the original exhibition was to start with a series entitled “Memories of Home,” I felt that the series “Vessels of the Sea” was appropriate as the first post since, as the world changed in early 2020, my wife and I have again “set sail” and left the UAE to start a new chapter in our lives. Each week I will share a new series which would have formed part of the physical exhibition in Tashkeel, House 10, Al Fahidi Historical District – Dubai.
Vessels of the sea:
This series explores a diversity of seafaring vessels, from humble little rowing boats, to the trading dhows of Dubai. Whilst boats and ships are used for varying purposes, both for trade and recreation, they have always connected people, facilitating trade and cultural exchange despite the barrier of vast expanses of water. Long before the advent of human flight and even efficient road transportation, boats have allowed humans to travel long distances to foreign lands.
They are as integral a part of our history and cultural development as any other human achievement.
Vessels of the sea speaks too of my wanderlust as an expat. Something that virtually all of us as expats have as a privilege and almost an inferred duty is the desire to travel and explore distant shores.
“The boat is safer anchored at the port; but that's not the aim of boats.” -Paulo Coelho
This entire series is printed on cotton based paper using the cyanotype process.
Abra Dubai
Dubai creek Deira
Fishing boat Fujairah
Fishing boat Knysna lagoon
Fishing boat wilderness
Fishing boats prince's islands Turkey
Fishing dhow Zanzibar
Fishing dhow Zanzibar 2
Knysna marina at night
Sailing yacht Istanbul
Tethered dhow Dubai creek
Tethered dhow Dubai
The cyanotype process:
Developed by Sir John Herschel in 1842, the cyanotype process is often regarded as one of the first processes that could produce a permanent photographic image on paper. Fine art paper is sized (PH balanced) using a mild acetic acid solution. A sensitizing solution of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide is then applied to the paper. Once the paper has dried in a dark environment, a negative or inter-negative is placed on the paper and a “contact print” is made using ultra violet light (natural sunlight or artificial light.)
After rinsing the exposed paper, a beautiful blue print is revealed. In fact, this exactly how the term “blueprint” was derived.
I hope that you have enjoyed this series. Join me next week for “Memories of Home.” – a series of black and white silver gelatin prints from the land of my birth.
PS: This is for my friend Todor @litalfrog