How many times do we get to see art by a Saudi Arabian artist, and a woman no less, in Miami, even at Art Basel? Interestingly enough, the invitation to the opening of “I Am Here”, the exhibition of photography, installation and mixed media by Manal AlDowayan came on the heels of my having read a fascinating article about the new Saudi Arabian editor of Vogue Arabia.
First the exhibit. It’s at Rojas + Rubensteen Projects who partnered with FIU’s initiative for Muslim World Studies as a platform for dialogue about Muslim art and culture. Manal is interested in the stereotypes of women in Saudi Arabia, how they’re portrayed in the media, and understanding their identity. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious venues ranging from The Whitechapel Gallery in London to the New York University Gallery.
Subjects on view range from a State of Disappearance series that shows faceless black burqa clad women waiting in line behind what looked to me like cellblock bars and a 40 ft long Bedouin textile representing unraveling, to a video commissioned by Rolls Royce showing the point of a view of a woman inside a car looking out through a veiled screen. Other topics included images of women professionals beside an icon of their work, and fascinating maps depicting traffic accidents and their nameless women victims. Best yet, one of the delightful gallery owners Eira Rojas and Aimee Rubensteen, is always on hand to give a thorough explanation of the work.
Prices range from $4000 to $20000 with most $10,000 or less.
The exhibit, which runs until March 26, is located at 8051 NE 2nd avenue in Little River. Hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 12-6 and by appointment, T.786-534-7559. And if you can’t make it to this exhibit, I suggest you get on their mailing list (info@rojasrubensteenprojects.com). The co founders are South Florida locals, graduates in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, previously worked at Sotheby’s, and are doing exciting things — as they describe, “creating exhibits that engage with the wider world and current events”.
And while you’re in the neighborhood, you might want to go have lunch or an early dinner to Cake Thai at 80th and Biscayne. It’s a hole in the wall but the food is cheap and delicious.
Back to Vogue Arabia. The Saudi editor,Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, divides her time between Riyadh and Dubai where the magazine is published. It seems the new title is a big success. What I enjoyed seeing the most was her wearing a burqa designed by Proenza Schouler that looked like a very pale blue, calf length wrap dress with red borders that she wore with a red quilted Chanel handbag and red suede sandals. Its first run sold out. I wonder how many women who bought it wore it under their black burqa or as is!
