A team at Gulf Photo Plus, the Dubai photography gallery, decided to give a group of construction workers a precious gift for Eid: portraits of themselves to send to their families.
On the second and third days of the Eid Al Fitr holidays, the team of volunteers set up two temporary photography studios within a labour camp in Al Quoz, Dubai, and took professional portraits of approximately 250 workers.
The idea was to move “beyond the boundaries of nationality, language and job description to instead celebrate the universal language of photography and the joy of sitting for a dignified portrait”.
Treating the project – titled Constructing Portraits – like any other professional shoot, the GPP team were equipped with lighting, a variety of backdrops and even a translator to overcome language barriers. They also brought high-quality professional printers to print the images and give them directly to their subjects.
Timing the project to coincide with the Eid break was a deliberate decision as this is one of the few times during the year that all the workers put on their best clothes.
“The idea came about as a Ramadan initiative, because we wanted to do something for the community,” says Mohamed Somji, co-owner and founder of GPP. “Other people give money or food and other supplies, so we looked at what we have to give and that is our photography expertise, equipment and our time. This way, we are putting all of this to good use.”
As well as posing for photographs, the labourers also answered simple questions such as: “What do you like to do on your day off?” or “If you could choose another job, what would it be?”.
After the portraits were taken and prints distributed, the team returned to the gallery this week to work on compiling the most compelling shots and quotes for a public exhibition on Friday, July 31, at the GPP gallery space in Alserkal Avenue. The idea was to round off the project with an event that would give the labourers the chance to visit the gallery and see their photographs celebrated as part of a real exhibition.
“We have teamed up with the construction company for the whole project and they have been kind enough to offer a special fleet of buses for the opening night,” says Somji. “All the workers will come to the space and we will put on catering for them. Of course, the public are more than welcome to join, too.”
Constructing Portraits is part of several community-based initiatives that GPP has launched and organised over the years.
During Ramadan this year, for instance, they hosted Iftar Trails, which involved taking photographers on a walk around Deira and other areas of Old Dubai, where they attended and photographed open-air iftars outside mosques or in temporary tents set up around the district.
“Myself and many of the other GPP members, we have lived all of our lives in Dubai, and we are always trying to organise activities or showcase artworks that bring to life the older, colourful and more soulful parts of Dubai,” says Somji. “The Iftar Trails were an attempt to show people the other side of Ramadan to the decadent, all-you-can-eat buffets that you find in hotels. We didn’t know how much uptake there would be because it is summer, it is hot and the trails were on foot, but they were so popular that we had waiting lists. There is a real hunger and curiosity from people to get to know this side of Dubai life.”
• Constructing Portraits is at Gulf Photo Plus Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. The exhibition opens at 5pm on July 31, and is open to the public from 10am to 7pm until August 31. For more information, visit www.gulfphotoplus.com
aseaman@thenational.ae
SPECS
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Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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THE%20FLASH
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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