Sharjah24: The Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) in the Heart of Sharjah district is introducing UAE residents and visitors of all ages to the unique historical, cultural, literary, artistic and customary elements from the UAE and 29 guest countries.

Themed ‘Cultural heritage gathers us’, this 18th edition of SHD is hosting the Republic of Montenegro as the Guest of Honour country, and representing the republic in the visual arts section is Damir Murseljevic, a photographer – among many other things – who specialises in the technique of using double or multiple exposures to create works of unique artistic expression. By shooting over the same film more than once, he merges two or more images and views, achieving unexpected and dramatic results that not only surprise but offer multiple creative possibilities.

Murseljevic’s works, on display at the Montenegro Pavilion, display everything from submerged city landscapes, to Montenegrin cultural dances against a sunset view, or a woman blending into a majestic mountain in the background. The photographs open up the imagination while inhabiting a space where dreams blend into reality. “I like to impose situations that are not from the same place or same time into the same image, says Murseljevic, who is also a music producer, teacher, theatre professional, RJ, film and music critic, and graphic designer.

He has also created short films, art videos and graphic novels. “But photography is my favourite medium of artistic expression. With the multiple exposures, I cannot go back and redo anything and the results are often unexpectedly surreal, especially if I have forgotten what was shot on the film already. Photography as an art form must surprise the viewer and take them on a journey through a sort of parallel universe, and push their visual and subconscious horizons.”