‘At the Edge of Land’ at the Jameel Arts Centre explores the complex interplay between landscapes and trade, focusing on port cities, shifting sands, and riverbanks. This exhibition delves into the interconnected geographies and commodities that bridge land and sea, revealing stories of conflict, erosion, and extraction. Challenging conventional notions of emptiness and development, it brings attention to the marginalised regions and people affected by trade routes.
Featuring works from the Art Jameel Collection, alongside new commissions and loans from international artists, the exhibition originated at Hayy Arts in Jeddah. It tracks the trade routes linking Dubai and Jeddah, including the busy maritime path connecting East Asia and Europe via the Gulf, Red Sea, and Suez Canal. Curated by Lucas Morin, the exhibition includes contributions from Abbas Akhavan, Rouzbeh Akhbari, Jananne Al-Ani, Tarek Al Ghoussein, and others. A film program complements the exhibition, running from May 23 to August 18, 2024, in Gallery 9. An accompanying reading list and bibliography are available online and at the Jameel Library.
The artworks illustrate various aspects of these routes: houses precariously perched on eroded coastlines, sand used to create distant artificial islands, and seamen stranded in deserts. They depict ports, containers, and the immense ships awaiting dismantlement, highlighting the interconnection of economies and drawing parallels between the movement of goods and people.
People, though often dwarfed by large structures, are depicted vividly. The exhibition features narratives of pirates, sailors, and inhabitants of endangered river deltas, evoking nostalgia and documenting disappearing landscapes. The works challenge the inevitability of loss and give voice to affected communities.
Location: Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai
Dates: May 23 – September 29, 2024