The Third Line announces the opening of two solo exhibitions ‘The Sky of the Seven Valleys’ by Ala Ebtekar and ‘Looking, Dwelling, Leaving’ by Khalid Jauffer on Thursday, 7th May until the 28th of June.
Ala Ebtekar, ‘The Sky of the Seven Valleys’
The essence of transcendent experience is encapsulated within the confines of a single room in ‘The Sky of the Seven Valleys.’ Ala Ebtekar’s exhibition, the culmination of a decade-long dedication to exploring spatial collapse and light through the Zenith series, unfolds as one work in seven chapters or paintings. Each painting, with vast doorway-sized panels, merges multi-wavelength photographic processes with Ebtekar’s cloud-making brushstrokes, creating an immersive environment of boundless perspective and possibility.
Inspired by Farid ud-Din Attar’s Sufi poem, ‘Conference of the Birds,’ Ebtekar’s series follows the journeys of thirty birds through seven valleys of enlightenment. Transposing earthly trials into a celestial realm, Ebtekar employs scaling, ancient photo exposure techniques, and reconfiguration of Iranian coffeehouse painting to craft a singular space of mythic proportions.
Viewers of ‘The Sky of the Seven Valleys’ navigate a continuous room housing seven complete portals, each composed of one to four panels. The choreographed installation guides observers through realms aglow with exposures sourced from the sun, moon, or stars, adorned with sweeping brushstrokes depicting clouds and winds. As spectators confront these larger-than-life imprints, they find themselves immersed in a landscape where the atmosphere itself becomes the canvas of the cosmos, blurring the boundaries between observer and observed.
Khalid Jauffer, ‘Looking, Dwelling, Leaving’
Consciousness and sensitivity often wane in states of compromise. Embedded within the comfort of habit lies an ignorance of our surroundings, a simplification of the public realm into easily digestible fragments akin to consuming simple carbohydrates. Khalid Jauffer, however, inhabits a less comfortable realm of indefinite consciousness and sensitivity, uncovering metaphorical potential within the remnants of society.
Discarded objects and broken things typically register to passersby as mere ends, trash, remnants of completed narratives. Yet, Jauffer sees beyond their surface, engaging in a process of care and attention to transform these discarded ends into beginnings. In unraveling the tightly bound threads of human fragility hidden within unremarkable shells, he reveals the profound stories they contain.
The act of looking, Jauffer believes, is fundamental to discovery. Unlike seeking, which implies a predetermined goal, looking is open-ended, allowing for unexpected revelations. Jauffer’s observations on looking are underscored by the ubiquitous usage of the term in job-seeking advertisements found on public notice boards throughout the city. The commentary takes on a humorous dimension when viewed through the lens of spectatorship: one is observing “looking” that was itself observed and looking. Amidst the plethora of declarations of pursuit lies the CV, a document filled with silent pleas for inclusion within the fabric of the city. In Jauffer’s world, the act of looking transcends mere observation; it becomes a gateway to understanding, empathy, and the uncovering of hidden narratives within the mundane.
About Ala Ebtekar
Ala Ebtekar, born in 1978 in Berkeley, CA, is an artist known for his two-decade-long exploration of time and space, aiming to focus attention on the present moment. His practice merges ancient traditions with modern technology, orchestrating various temporal rhythms through sculpture and photography. Ebtekar delves into cosmic themes, employing light as both subject and medium, often using radiation sources like sunlight and moonlight. His recent works, which can take an entire night to expose, symbolise collaboration with celestial bodies. Ebtekar’s pieces are held in collections worldwide, including the British Museum and Whitney Museum of American Art.
About Khalid Jauffer
Khalid Jauffer, born in Dubai in 1996, uncovers his artistry in everyday activities like grocery shopping, people-watching, and commuting. He transforms society’s remnants—trash, notes, actions—into poignant metaphors, keenly observing “public language” for nuanced meanings. His diverse practice includes cat portraits, poetic delivery receipts, and replicated bus stops, refracting objects through sociological lenses. Jauffer, an alumnus of programs like Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship and Campus Art Dubai 7.0, has exhibited in Goa, Jeddah, and Yorkshire, showcasing his anthropological perspective on the mundane.
Location: The Third Line, Dubai.
Dates: 7 May – 28 June, 2024.