12.9.17

charmed

charmed . 2017

charmed at thejamjar . 2017 (photo courtesy of thejamjar)

charmed at thejamjar . 2017 (photo courtesy of thejamjar)


charmed at thejamjar . 2017 (photo courtesy of thejamjar)

charmed at thejamjar . 2017 (photo courtesy of thejamjar)


i recently worked on a small project with thejamjar, one of dubai's first community art spaces, on their latest project – 'occupy'. occupy provides an opportunity for artists to take over thejamjar's front window at the entrance of their space, and create works which will then be displayed. 
i took inspiration from charms and talismanic objects people use to shun away bad mojo and bring good luck. my favourite ones are the inanimate objects people hang outside their shops and/or homes. these charms, usually hung above the entrance doors of a particular space, give an indication of religious backgrounds and beliefs. spaces are blessed either with religious phrases of varied languages, significant numbers, recognisable “hamsa’s", or a collection of bound citrus and spices.
for it's third edition, i created a window display about the notion of installing charmed visuals at the entranceways of occupied spaces. the final display includes a mythical three-headed, neutered street cat (inspired by the feline community found around al quoz). the final display represents a personal interpretation of shunning away bad luck and giving protection to an art space, i.e. thejamjar.
my charmed cats will be on display until the end of the year so make sure to head to alserkal avenue and see it in person. say hello, take photos! a big thank you goes out to hetal and thejamjar team for the opportunity.