Supplications by Katarina Premfors at The Empty Quarter

© Katarina Premfors - Prayer at Batmaloo Bus Station - Kashmir, India 2009

One of my favourite Dubai based photographers, Katarina Premfors has her first solo exhibition at The Empty Quarter. "Supplications", which means humble request or prayer is an exhibition that reflects the many facets of Ramadan and is on till 16th August. 

In an interview with Katarina Premfors, she explains that the idea behind Supplication came from the definition of the word itself.

A humble request is a bit like thanksgiving in reverse. Inside we remember to be thankful for everything we have, but at the same time there is also a tacit humble request for our good fortune to continue. This seems fitting for Ramadan, which, in a way, is a kind of prolonged act of devotion.

Here are some of the photos that are on display at the exhibition. 

© Katarina Premfors - Reading in Kashmir - Kashmir, India 2010

© Katarina Premfors - Lesson - Dubai, UAE 2012

© Katarina Premfors - Resting Bus Driver - Dubai, UAE 2009

© Katarina Premfors - Chilling - Dubai, UAE 2011

© Katarina Premfors - At the Market - Hadramaut, Yemen 2009

© Katarina Premfors - Melons at Market - Dubai, UAE 2008

© Katarina Premfors - Moon rising in Desert - Dubai, UAE 2010

© Katarina Premfors - Ramadan Tent - Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE 2005

© Katarina Premfors - Sana'a at Dusk - Sana'a, Yemen 2010 

Exhibition details:
Dates: On till 16th August 2012
Venue: The Empty Quarter, Gate Village, Bldg 2, DIFC Dubai, UAE 
Phone: +971 4 323 1210





www.katarinapremfors.com
www.theemptyquarter.com

30 Mosques Project by Antonie Robertson

© Antonie Robertson - Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Antonie Roberston is on a 30 day road trip photographing mosques across the United Arab Emirates. It's for a special visual project for The National. He is also writing about his experience on his personal blog. Inspired by last year's 30 Mosques in 30 States by Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq’s  trip across the United States (they're on the road again this Ramadan), Antonie writes,  

With some very unique locations still to come I know the journey will provide me with ample visual opportunities. But creating images has always been the way that I explore the world around me. My excuse for personal journeys. And with this project I hope to gain a much wider insight into Islam, hopefully forming a better understanding of the religion that so many non believers know little about.

I am looking forward to seeing what Antonie discovers on this road trip. So far, I love the cubist looking mosque on Palm Jumeriah Island in Dubai. Here's a small selection of photos and quotes from his blog. But please do visit Antonie's site to follow his entire journey this month.

Masjid Qubbat As Sakhrah (The Dome of the Rock Mosque) in Abu Dhabi

© Antonie Robertson

Hidden between the suburban villas of Abu Dhabi, a stones throw away from Souk Qaryat Al Beri and the Shangri-La Hotel, stands one of Abu Dhabi’s most recognizable mosques. A replica, yet smaller, of the famous Dome Of The Rock Mosque located in Jerusalem.

© Antonie Robertson

Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Al Shahama, Abu Dhabi

© Antonie Robertson

 

Shams Abdul Raheem Mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai

© Antonie Robertson

Hidden between towering green trees lies the 5th destination of my trip. Walking through the gates of the Shams Abdul Raheem Mosque in Jumeirah one is surrounded by lush foliage at this neighborhood’s small masjid. The sparse courtyard paints a picture of what waits inside the mosque itself.

Entering through the dark wooden doors one is welcomed by the cool interior into a peaceful prayer hall. Small golden chandeliers fill the space with a warm glow. To me, the design is reminiscent of days gone by. It reminds me of places I used to see when I first came to the UAE 8 years ago. And makes me think of visuals I associate with Sheikh Zayed’s era.

© Antonie Robertson

Abdul Rahman Siddik Mosque on Palm Jumeirah Island, Dubai

© Antonie Robertson

Most might miss, while traveling down the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, the Abdul Rahman Siddik Mosque as it stands just before the tunnel entrance. That is if it wasn’t for its futuristic design of glass, steel and stone. Its towering minaret resembling a space age observation deck. Cubist marble walls suport its single dome. And lush young trees grown in the thin, sparse garden that surround the building.

As sunset nears, the masjid courtyard starts to buzz with laborers from the nearby developments, workers from all backgrounds start to pile in. Taxis conveniently pull into the mosque parking lot on their way to the next fare. But only a few resemble, what might be, residents from the surrounding frond villas.

© Antonie Robertson

Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai

© Antonie Robertson

Jumeirah Mosque, having photographed this masjid more than a few times over the course of my 8 year stay in the Emirates, I was apprehensive at the possibility of finding a new angle for the seventh shoot of my project. But with it being one of the few Mosques open to non muslim it was a definite destination for my month long exploration of the country’s masjids.

© Antonie Robertson

 
Follow Antonie Robertson's journey here.

www.antonierobertson.com
www.antonierobertson.com/blog/category/30mosques 
www.thenational.ae
www.30mosques.com

Ramadan Kareem 2011

Wishing you, your family and friends a Ramadan Kareem this year.

(Image via someecards.com.)

Ramadan Morning in Cairo by Karim Shaaban

This episode of Ramadan 29 shows us a quiet and empty Cairo, shot after the Fajr prayers between 6am and 9am. Cairo is such a congested city, so it's nice to see it first thing in the morning before the daily rush sets in.

www.vimeo.com/channels/ramadan29

Ramadan in Alexandria by Karim Shaaban

 

I like this episode of Ramadan 29 shot in Alexandria. I've never been to Alexandria, but I suspect it's more relaxed than Cairo.

Set to a jazzy version of Fayrouz's Habaytak Bil Sayf, enjoy the colourful sights of the this city. 

www.vimeo.com/channels/ramadan29

Ramadan Lights by Karim Shaaban

Today's episode from the Ramadan 29 series is dedicated to the Ramadan decorations that can be seen on the streets, shops, restaurants, outside homes and mosques.

But it looks like this year, there's a Chinese influence on the streets of Cairo. It is bizarre to see Chinese lamp shades in the midst of the traditional looking Ramadan lights. Could this be the quirky side effects of globalisation?

Click to read more ...

El Laila El Kibeera (The Grand Night) by Karim Shaaban

This is a very special episode of the Ramadan 29 series. El Leila El Kebira is one of Egypt's classic and most popular award-winning puppet show. Enjoy watching scenes from it and listening to why people love it so much. It looks like good old fashioned family entertainment, hope I get to see this show live someday.

Click to read more ...

Kiosk in Ramadan by Karim Shaaban

One of the things I miss seeing on the streets of Dubai are kiosks and newstands. They always add some colour to a street and I'm glad Karim Shaaban's Ramadan 29 series dedicated this episode to kiosk vendors in Cairo. 

Click to read more ...

Ramadan in Al Hussein by Karim Shaaban

This episode of the Ramadan 29 series is set around Al Hussein in Cairo. It's a bustling area and even busier during Ramadan. Shaaban speaks to some of the people that work in this area, who share why they find this place to special.

The video doesn't include any subtitles, but I but together a translation below the clip (to the best of my abilities) so that non-Arabic speakers can enjoy it as well.

Click to read more ...

The First Fajr Prayer in Ramadan by Karim Shabaan

Karim Shabaan is a young film maker from Egypt. I first came across his work last Ramadan when he started his Ramadan 29 series, a daily series of short films documenting the different traditions of Ramadan across Egypt. I thought it was a great series, but unfortunately, I can't find any of them online now.

But the good news is that Karim Shabaan is back again this year with a new season and since this is The Culturist's first Ramadan, I will share some of his new short films here.

Click to read more ...