PS:

It's one day before leaving Dubai, and I am full of conflicting feelings. I'm so happy that I'm going back home, but on the other hand, I know that there will be lots of weeps and hugs today at the picnic in Safa Park, where everyone will see each other one last time. Eye make-up will be a mistake, should concentrate on tissues..

I met amazing people here, and some more of them in the last two weeks, as I had more chance to be lazy and to have amazing casual chats lately. Dubai now composes a very big part of my life, and my practice for my upcoming works, and I feel extremely lucky. So now would love to talk about what we have been up to in the last week.

We have been to Jamjar with Ali, and had chance to see the amazing show of Rebecca Rendell. Such plain but effective works, reminding us of "less is more". Different than the Tashkeel one, but still you can feel the same delicacy and immaculacy.  I think I will favour this one, to the Tashkeel show if I have to choose.

 

The use of light and shadows were as sculptural as the objects themselves.

On the same day, we also went to see Corrina's show in Ductac, which was again very good. Corrina had a 2 month residency there, which is based in a community art space in Mall of the Emirates. It should be such a different experience to have a residency completely on the other face of Dubai. We also saw Hassan Sherif's work who we met a couple of days ago at his space, Flying House. He is the oldest Emirati contemporary artist, who had his education in London in 70s. He returned back to Dubai, and did performances in the dessert. He didn't have any spectators of his work then, but now he is very respected righteously, and was invited to many shows around the world. We met very warmhearted people at the Flying House, and the space was very welcoming with artworks almost 'overflowing' all around the house.

This photo is for lovely Fayçal. I'm missing him, Kapwani and Jean Baptiste a lot. They are the amazing three in my mind, just like X-Men! Fayçal, bought me these amazing Tool cookies, as a thank you gift; but I am afraid I had to eat them, as I didn't have any place left in my luggage. So this is to document their beauty; the beauty of my tool cookies, on the exhibition catalogue of Ali's friend Sara's show. (I love that still, from a film in that show in Sharjah; Maraya Art Centre)

Random funny birds on the creek

And then two days ago, sweetheart Antonie, unexpectedly, took us to the old camel race track and later to the new one, on the Hatta, Al Ain Road. Finally we saw the robot camel jockeys, THEY ARE JUST SO CUTE AND AMAZING, AND I WANT ONE. Maybe I should make one... I don't want to start talking about my new project yet, but might maybe involve these sweet little drillmen with whips attached. 

Antonie is also very knowledgeable about what has happened before, and what is going on now in the city, so he is the perfect book on foot! Really helpful, and such a nice person, I'm so happy to have met him.

This unfinished Trojan Camel on scaffolds, set itself on fire in the middle of nowhere, where the new camel track is. Zeinab telephoned police. What a bizarre experience we had that day.

Police climbing, to extinguish the camel

A Robot Jockey

And eventually, we actualised our big sparkly welding workshop! It was just AMAZING! I was initially feeling so nervous, but then everything turned out really well. They didn't believe me, but honestly, everyone was very very good at welding and chopping with the grinder for a first time! Here are some photos from the workshop. Wish I had more.

Rami's very first tacks, are they not amazing!? He is really talented

Nice object he made, a box helmet!

This is Kim, wish I had photos from her work. She made a really nice armature for a clay model, which is incredibly useful and necessary. Apparently Rebecca and her already booked to work with the welder next week. How exciting!!

And Rebecca is always full of enthusiasm, everyone knows how much I like her work.

Rebecca's frame

Gemma is Rebecca's sweet cousin, who came from South London to visit her. She made this funny little man with fancy sun glasses, am wondering what she called him eventually. He deserves a name!

And this is Qinza. She is a great welder too. So upset that I don't have a photo of Burj Al Arab she built. She is very confident and comfortable with the welder now, I don't even have to be with her when she is welding. She said she will join Kim and Rebecca with their welding meeting next week!

Now I will be off to our big picnic in Safa Park, to see everyone for one last time and have a big feast. Later on tonight, we will go to Sherlock Holmes, our local pub at Arabian Courtyard. Ohhh, such a sad day today...Feeling really emotional..

Good bye  Dubai. See you later!