Ahmed Mater's 100 Found Objects

mages from Ahmed Mater's 100 Found Objects exhibiton. Anna Seaman A&L story, March 2014. CREDIT: Courtesy Sharjah Art Foundation

Yesterday we visited Sharjah's magnificent art spaces to see the latest exhibitions that went up last month. Having been a fan of Ahmed Mater ever since his Deserts of the Pharan series - giant photographs of the holy site of Mecca and the construction around it - I was excited to see his latest show. And I wasn't disappointed.

100 Found Objects includes images, videos and research material that Mater has collected, which chronicle the continuous urban development of Mecca and the narratives that surround Islam's holiest site.

Videos play on outdated mobile phones taped to the windows, old stereoscopes offering multiple views of the site sit on shelves next to old framed photos of a time and place that doesn't exist anymore.

The objects are presented without captions, offering an obscure sense of curiosity as well as an artistic message that the pieces are intended to be viewed as a whole, separate from the individual stories.

One of the most surprising pieces is this plastic gift bag, which bears illustrations of the Dubai's Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers, next to Mecca's grand Clock Tower. A rather innocuous object in and of itself but something that makes a strong commentary about the commercialisation of Mecca.

It is possible to engage like this with every item in the show and, as 100 Found Objects is an ongoing work, set tol be completed once the entire expansion and development of Mecca is complete, perhaps there is more to come.

* Ahmed Mater: 100 Found Objects runs in Building F, SAF Art Spaces until 22 May