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28 March 2024

Warehouse421 to present exhibition exploring Emirati culture and heritage

Published
By Wam

From February 4, audiences have been invited to explore Emirati culture at Warehouse421 through a beautiful, compelling exhibition of ‘tangible’ and ‘intangible’ forms of Emirati adornment.

'Lest We Forget - Emirati Adornment: Tangible and Intangible' presents personal objects of adornment shared by Emirati contributors along the memories, reflections and works of art that these objects inspire. Bridging the gap between past and current generations, the exhibition will feature both historical and contemporary examples and practices.

The exhibition features ‘tangible,’ concrete, and physically lasting forms of adornment, including garments, burqa, jewelry, weapons, attributes, and accessories. It also considers ‘intangible’ adornment that is temporal and impermanent, the enhancement of the face and body through the application of evanescent henna, kohl, fragrance, and cosmetics, as well as through grooming, nail care, and hairstyles.

The exhibition acknowledges in adornment valuable ‘intangible’ cultural heritage, the creative spirit, knowledge, skills and aesthetic sensibilities that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Dr. Michele Bambling, Creative Director of ‘Lest We Forget’ commented, "The theme of adornment has universal significance and stirs memories in all of us. The will to adorn is a deep-rooted human inclination to beautify, ornament, embellish and make something or someone more attractive. The reasons for enhancing one’s appearance through adornment are profound. Modes of adornment can be culturally specific as well as personal. The exhibition, presents an original, heartfelt exploration of Emirati identity, aesthetics and cultural history conveyed through modes of adornment."

Khulood Khaldoon Al Atiyat, Manager of Arts, Culture and Heritage for the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, said, "Warehouse421 is proud to support this important initiative and offer a platform for Emirati Adornment to reach a broad audience across the UAE and share our nation’s heritage."

An innovative community-based national initiative supported by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, ‘Lest We Forget’ seeks to document Emirati vernacular heritage and cultural identity and share it through exhibitions and publications.

Lest We Forget: Emirati Adornment will open on 4th February 2017 and will run until 27th August 2017.

For more information on Warehouse421, the Lest We Forget exhibition and other upcoming events, visit their official website.

Warehouse421, launched in 2015, is a cultural space that encourages artistic expressions, and supports the perceptive processes, in order to reinforce the UAE's creative community.

It was transformed from industrial warehouse located in the Mina Zayed of Abu Dhabi, to a platform for art and culture, design and creativity, performance and music, from regional, international and UAE-based artists, designers and cultural practitioners.