The UAE is known for investing heavily in the revival and celebration of authentic Emirati history and culture. Rizq Art Initiative (RAi) is one of the notable independent cultural institutions, focusing on the promotion of cultural exchange and encouragement of creative practices in the Global South. At Rizq Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi, it often hosts exhibitions of talented local artists to promote the visibility of Arab and Emirati art at the national and international levels. On March 6, the institution opened a new exhibition titled “Seen/Scene – The Fragile Birth of Fire,” which has become a unique event in terms of scale and celebration of the well-established Emirati artist community.
Seen/Scene – The Fragile Birth of Fire
“Seen/Scene – The Fragile Birth of Fire” is on view at Rizq Art Gallery through April 10, 2025. The exhibition unites 19 Emirati and long-term resident artists of the UAE in a group display of authentic interpretations of the national cultural landscape. From history to the present, the featured art objects visualize and rethink what it means to be an Emirati and what the Emirati cultural tradition encompasses.
The exhibition’s first visitors highly appreciated the bold and evocative stance taken by the artists on many traditional Arab concepts, along with the creative reappropriation of unusual materials in art. Toilet paper, razor blades, and balloons have become uncommon yet organic parts of the installations, each contributing to the immersive exhibition experience in its own manner. The title of the show also suggests the artists’ focus on the notions of fragility and transformation integral to any nation’s identity formation processes, as well as the resilience of the Emirati culture and identity throughout history.
The “seen/scene” dimension of the display points to the intricate balance between reality and performativity, which has historically been part and parcel of artistic expression. A separate part of the exhibition’s opening ceremony was the traditional night meal of Ramadan, suhoor, welcoming everybody to take part in a meaningful community event.
About Rizq Art Initiative
RAi is a cultural institution involved with many aspects of art activities, ranging from the dissemination of art and culture from the Global South to curatorial research of contemporary art trends. This way, RAi serves as an incubator for local and regional talents by creating unique opportunities for collaboration, research, and participation in important art events at all levels. The initiative targets barriers to artist prosperity and outreach by facilitating access to resources, promoting art education, and offering learning and growth via research and publishing.