The Latest Project by Leading Emirati Artist Mohammed Kazem ‘RAW DATA (1999-2013)’ Exhibition

In the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Seaports and Customs has opened an art exhibition titled 'Raw Data (1999-2013)', the latest project by leading Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem at Maraya Art Centre.

The opening ceremony was also attended by HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Hisham Al Madhloum, Head of Art Directorate at the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah and a number of guests, and artists, as well as fans and lovers of fine arts.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi were briefed by the artist on the installation 'Raw Data (1999-2013)' that is comprised of a multi-media appropriation of 14 years of GPS coordinates collected by the artist through out his professional artistic career.

From left to right: Ahmed Al Qaseer, Shurooq COO, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Shurooq CEO, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Seaports and Customs, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Mohamed Kazem, the artist, Hisham Al Madhloum, Head of Art Directorate at the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah / Photo Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

Speaking about the project, Mohamed Kazem said, "In ‘Raw Data’ I have taken 14 year's worth of numerical coordinates from a massive array of GPS readings that I have been collecting throughout my career. Through reworking these figures, I want to invite others to explore how measuring and navigating the everyday world impacts and interacts with day to day experience and the impact of this interaction with an artistic expression. It is truly thrilling to be able to share this explorative installation with the wider public in such a progressive and stimulating locale as Maraya Art Centre and I look forward to seeing what impact this project will have on my continued journey as an artist."

Mohamed Kazem / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

In ‘Raw Data (1999-2013)’ Kazem has reworked and applied the range of coordinates within an immerse atmospheric installation. Bringing together the activity of measuring and navigation, the installation features coordinates from clothing, various objects, buildings, and elements from nature among many others, to create an experience that illuminates Kazem’s thought process and invites the audience to reflect on the practice of this ideas-driven artist as he enters a pivotal moment in his career.

Supporting the exhibition, Maraya Art Centre has organised series of talks, workshops and outdoor expeditions that will take place throughout its run in keeping with the Centre’s commitment fostering greater integration of the arts within the community.

Mohammed Kazem / 'Raw Data (1999-2013)', installation view from the exhibition / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

Mohammed Kazem / 'Raw Data (1999-2013)', detail / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

Mohammed Kazem / 'Raw Data (1999-2013)', detail / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

Mohammed Kazem

Born in Dubai, Mohammed Kazem first studied fine art at Emirates Fine Art Society, later going on to learn music, and attend national and international art workshops, as well as teaching painting at Dubai Art Atelier. His works have been selected for Biennials and Exhibitions around the world for over two decades, including Moscow, Holland, Singapore, Japan, Egypt, India, Germany, and Cuba. Kazem has also taken part in several Sharjah International Art Biennials, was awarded first prize for an installation, and was the curator of the 8th Sharjah Biennial in 2007. His works have been collected by private and public institutions such as Deutsche Bank, Museums in Doha, Sharjah, and Sittard, Holland. Kazem’s most recent exhibitions include Emirati Expressions: Realised which is currently running in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAE as well as Walking on Water, where he is presently representing the Emirates at the National Pavilion of the UAE during La Biennale di Venezia in the 55th International Art Exhibition in Venice, Italy.

Mohammed Kazem in front of the installation 'Raw Data (1999-2013)' / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

Maraya Art Centre

The Maraya Art Centre is an innovative non-profit arts space and cultural platform in the region, showcasing curated exhibitions and public programme, that aims to promote and encourage emerging artists and creative communities in the UAE and greater Gulf. A non-profit art space and cultural platform located in Al Qasba, Sharjah, the Maraya Art Centre is an initiative by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), with the purpose of promoting young artists from both the Arab region and the international art scene. Officially launched in March 2010 and Located in Al Qasba, Sharjah, it is one of the UAE’s most spectacular venues for contemporary visual arts.

A three-storey art centre, established over 1500 square meters located in the heart of UAE’s cultural capital, it includes the Maraya Art Gallery on the third floor, the Barjeel Art Foundation on the second floor, and Maraya Community, which offers a diverse range of programmes and educational activities, on the first floor. The Barjeel Art Foundation is an independent, United Arab Emirates-based initiative established to manage, preserve and exhibit the personal art collection of Sultan Saoud Al Qasemi. The foundation’s guiding principle is to contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region by building a prominent, publicly accessible collection of modern Arab art in the UAE.