Sharjah24: BEEAH Group, the Middle East’s sustainability and digitalisation pioneer, launched today an art exhibition titled “Harmonizing with Nature: A Journey of Lifelong Practice” at its iconic headquarters in Sharjah. The exhibition is open to public and examines the relationship between humanity and the environment, highlighting the importance of fostering closer relationships between people and nature to address climate challenges. The launch of the exhibition comes shortly before the UAE hosts COP28 and will run through December 30, 2023, marking the end of the nation’s Year of Sustainability.
The exhibition features distinct artistic components from four globally renowned artists. Mario Merz from Italy highlights the metaphorical qualities of nature, representing infinity and repetition through igloo structures. El Anatsui from Ghana creates breathtaking artistic tapestries from discarded materials, blurring the lines between sculpture, painting and installation. Dan Holdsworth from the UK is known for photography and digital reimagination to capture sublime and seemingly impossible landscapes. Shezad Dawood, a British Pakistani artist, produces multi-disciplinary artwork that immerses the viewer in themes of migration, hybridity and the merging of cultures. Co-curated by Sébastien Montabonel, Founder of Montabonel & Partners, and May Barber, Creative Director at A&B Advisory, the exhibition depicts a unique facet of humanity’s relationship with nature through each artwork.
“As BEEAH prepares to engage in dialogue and be part of wide-scale climate-positive impact at COP28, this exhibition is a unique opportunity to engage with wider audiences through the universal language of art. The goal of the exhibition is to bring individuals closer to the essence of human nature and embark on a journey of rediscovery. BEEAH looks forward to hosting more such exhibitions and events at our Headquarters to serve as a hub for community engagement, learning and collective action,” said Nada Taryam, Chief Real Estate Officer of BEEAH Group.
“The artworks span different generations, viewpoints and media, including sculpture, camera-less photography and virtual reality, creating an immersive journey that can renew individual connections with nature, trigger new perspectives, and inspire positive actions.”
During the exhibition’s opening event, experts on art and the natural environment engaged in discourse on forging a path towards a future where humanity thrives in harmony with the natural world. Speakers at the event included Claudia Pasko, Senior Director, Konrad Fischer Galerie Berlin (representing artist Mario Merz), Kwame Mintah, Co-Founder, Efie Gallery (representing artist El Anatsui), Shezad Dawood, exhibiting artist, Manal Rostom, the first Egyptian woman to conquer Mount Everest, and Dominik Schrey, Lecturer in Digital Media at the University of Passau and an expert on the Anthropocene Epoch, the geological age marking the beginning of human activity affecting the Earth’s geology and ecosystems.
Art and Nature: Harmony and Reciprocity
During a panel discussion, moderated by May Barber, Claudia Pasko, Kwame Mintah and Sébastien Montabonel discussed artists’ life-long fascination with nature and the evolution of this relationship from industrialisation and technological innovations to today, where the world faces challenges of climate change and resource scarcity. They shed light on Arte Povera - “impoverished art” made from what was considered “cheap” materials - a movement in which artist Mario Merz was a key figure. Similarly, they discussed the sustainable practice of using found objects and discarded material to produce art, as seen in El Anatsui’s work, creating a mosaic that reflects the ecological tapestry of our times. The exhibition has “Zeus Lanze” and “Albero Grande Solitario” by Mario Merz and “Profile of a County” and “DNA” by El Anatsui on display.
Conquering Mountains: A Persistent Muse
The final panel of the opening event, moderated by Mourad Ben Ayed, Strategy Director of A&B Advisory, revealed new perspectives at the intersection of art and experience. Manal Rostom shared her story as a mountaineer to reach the top of Mount Everest and the challenges of braving environmental factors, while Dominik Schrey highlighted the compelling spirit of artists to capture the intangible majesty of mountains. BEEAH’s exhibition features Dan Holdsworth’s “Acceleration Structures”, which reveals the structure of three alpine glaciers to exact proportions through a camera-less photography technique.
The exhibition also featured artist Shezad Dawood’s “The Terrarium”, a virtual reality show on what the Baltic Sea could look like in 300 years. Leveraging scientific research, discussions, and different media, the work creates a surrealistic portal, transporting the viewer into the future.
The exhibition is part of BEEAH’s efforts to leverage its iconic headquarters as a dynamic platform to engage with individuals across different sectors, industries, and the wider public to inspire environmental action in the run up to COP28 and beyond. Members of the public can attend the exhibition by registering through the events page at beeahhq.com and using the confirmation email to gain access to the BEEAH Headquarters during exhibiting hours (Monday to Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm)
The launch of the exhibition comes a fortnight before COP28, where BEEAH is an official climate supporter and is taking part in discussions to share insights, explore collaborations and develop industry-focused decarbonization solutions to shape a climate-positive future.
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