MEEM GALLERY, DUBAI (JUNE 4 - AUG 31, 2018) The Cube by Iraqi-Canadian Conceptual Artist Mahmoud Obaidi

Meem Gallery presents The Cube, a series of four stainless steel and glass sculptures along with their accompanying sketches by Iraqi-Canadian conceptual artist, Mahmoud Obaidi. The works were previously included in Hajj: The Journey Through Art at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, curated by the British Museum.

Mahmoud Obaidi, 100 Directions of Energy, 2013. Stainless Steel and Glass, 150 x 50 x 50 cm. Edition of 3 / Courtesy of Meem Gallery

Mahmoud Obaidi, The Invisible Sphere Around the Cube, 2013. Stainless steel and glass, 150 x 50 x 50 cm. Edition of 3

Mahmoud Obaidi, The Invisible Sphere Around the Cube, 2013. Stainless steel and glass, 150 x 50 x 50 cm. Edition of 3 / Courtesy of Meem Gallery

In an exploration of the architecture of the Kaaba, the simple, cuboid building at the center of the holiest site in the Islamic faith, the artist reflects on the elemental qualities of this sacred structure and the enormity of the spiritual weight assigned to it.

Using the cube as the foundation of these theoretical explorations, Obaidi deconstructs the shape down to its six closed sets of geometric forms. Discovering that the cube is the only shape containing multiple smaller cubes in perfect equation, each possessing 48 energy directions who’s force travels upwards in a pyramid shape, resulting in intensified, invisible sphere energy around the shape.

Interpreting these findings, Obaidi captures the four stages of energy in four sculptures titled, The Cube, 1000 Directions of Energy, The Hidden Pyramids Within the Cube and The Invisible Sphere Around the Cube; and questions if these properties play a role in intensifying the spiritual energy in the space surrounding the Kaaba.

Mahmoud Obaidi, The Hidden Pyramids Within the Cube, 2013. Stainless steel and glass, 150 x 50 x 50 cm. Edition of 3 / Courtesy of Meem Gallery

Mahmoud Obaidi, The Invisible Sphere Around the Cube, 2013. Stainless steel, 150 x 50 x 50 cm. Edition of 3 / Courtesy of Meem Gallery

Iraqi born Mahmoud Obaidi is based in Toronto, Canada. His work can be found in the collections of Mathaf: Museum of Modern Arab Art, Doha; British Museum, London; Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah; National Gallery of Fine Arts, Amman and Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah. His monograph, Fragments, was published in 2016 including a conversation with Hans-Ulrich Obrist.

The exhibition will be on view until August 31, 2018 at the Meem Gallery.