twofour54 has welcomed a new art exhibition celebrating Emirati culture and featuring the world’s largest instant camera, created by French visual artist Patrick Amory.
Housed at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi, the “Totem Experience” was unveiled at a special event by H.E. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (MZA) and twofour54. The event was attended by Sheikh Mubarak bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, and MZA board members Mohamed Al Ghanim and Fahad Al Neyadi, the Acting CEO of MZA and twofour54 Maryam Al Mheiri and Director General of Tourism & Culture Authority – Abu Dhabi, Saif Ghobash.
One of the exhibition highlights is a giant installation entitled the “Falcon Totem”, a new way of visualising and paying homage to the symbolic bird of the UAE through three-double-sided large format photographs on three imposing white Carrara marble slabs. In its worldwide premiere unveiling, this monumental art installation stands at 4.3m x 3m and weighs 2,700 kg. In addition to the “Flacon Totem”, the ALCHEMYA ROOM holds the largest instant print camera in the world. Also designed by Patrick Amory and built in wood from a 150 year old olive tree, this giant transportable device when unfolded measures 2m wide and 2.20m high. It produces unique prints of 90x60cm that are instantly developed and printed in two minutes by the integrated processor of the camera.
Maryam Al Mheiri, Acting CEO of twofour54, said: “This intriguing installation by twofour54 campus partner Patrick Amory is a wonderful addition to twofour54’s vibrant campus. Creativity is a vital ingredient in the media and entertainment industry and twofour54 is proud to witness the success of our partners who are helping to enrich the industry and inspire the next generation of creative talent with diverse types of media.”
Patrick Amory, a French national, was invited to the UAE in 2011 under the aegis of the Embassy of France and continues his work as a visual artist here in the UAE from his unique studio space on the twofour54 campus. In ALCHEMYA ROOM, Patrick also presents works extracted from different past projects, “Living Treasures of Humanity” initiated with “Living Treasures of Kenya” and presented at the National Museum of Kenya, “Football for Peace” exhibited in Manchester in association with UNICEF-UK, and some portraits from his session with philanthropist and top model Natalia Vodianova held at Christies headquarters in London. Two original sculptures in bronze and white marble are also presented as part of his anthropology of the foot study, and “My Foot for Peace”, a project supported by the UN.
twofour54 continues to foster a culture of creativity to underpin its reputation as the regional hub for the media and entertainment industry and to inspire young people to explore creative-based industries as career options. Last month, twofour54 welcomed the Korean Cultural Centre to its campus, which offers visitors an interactive learning experience of Korean culture using the latest digital and virtual technologies. Earlier this year, twofour54 finalised investments in three artistic-led digital start-up companies to encourage entrepreneurism in the growing space of arts-led media and content creation.
The Falcon Totem is on display until 21 May, 2016 with visits by appointment only.
For a private session please contact ALCHEMYA ROOM:
alchemyaroom@alchemyaroom.com