Exhibitions

Dubai, Transmutations

The Empty Quarter Fine Art Photography Gallery and Galerie Baudoin Lebon proudly present the world premiere of "Dubai, Transmutations", an exhibition by Martin Becka. 

Opening reception on Tuesday October 20th, 2009 from 7pm - 10pm
The exhibition runs from October 20th to November 28th, 2009.

For this unique photographic project, French photographer Martin Becka has captured the city of Dubai using techniques that date back to the very beginnings of photography. By staging a collision between the historical and the present time, Becka creates a deliberate anachronism and therewith takes us far from the usual expectations we harbour towards Dubai. The architecture and the town planning of this emblematic city of the 21st century seem to span time, as if looking at them from a future we will not live to see. The result is strangely archaeological. The city, with its avenues, monuments, squares, bridges and roads takes on, to some extent, the appearance of ancient monuments. These photographs cloak the present in the permanence of an historic record and give the fleeting moment of the here and a semblance of eternity. In Becka's earthly warm and exquisitely detailed salted paper prints a monument has been erected for the future generations of Dubai.

The images of the thousands of building sites of Dubai's metamorphosis have been captured with a wooden photographic tool of a very large format on negative waxed papers, using a process invented approximately 160 years ago by Gustave Le Gray. These photographs were then printed on albumin paper and toned with gold. Since its invention, when photography was still an expensive, elaborate and experimental pursuit for the happy few to the present day with its democratic ubiquity of camera phones, photography has remained the main technology through which we both understand and record the world.

We are delighted to present this highly anticipated event of the year, showcasing the previously unreleased series comprising of 40 photographs in its entirety. To support this exciting exhibition, The Empty Quarter will be bringing the original camera dating from 1857, including a period darkroom set up external to the gallery for viewing. Also launching, as part of this exhibition, is an accompanying 86-page book, "Dubai, Transmutations", as well as a special limited edition portfolio box set.

Portfolio box containing 13 photogravures, each 40 x 52 cm: €1500

Book information:

Martin Becka - "Dubai Transmutations"
Text contribution: Quignaux, J.,P.
Published by The Empty Quarter, Dubai & Baudoin Lebon, Paris
Printed by Calf & Meischke, Amsterdam
Text in French, English and Arabic
Year of Publication: 2009
Hardcover book 86 pages, 32 x 23cm or 9x 14 Inches
Offset printing
ISBN 287688 063 6
Edition: 1000 copies

Price: 135 Euros
ISBN 2-87688 063 6

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