Transcending mundanity: AUS alumni featured at Art Jameel’s talent development program 

Depicting personal experiences across times, locations and ideas, four American University of Sharjah (AUS) alumni were selected for Art Jameel’s fourth annual talent development program, The Assembly, showcasing how everyday experiences can transcend mundanity and reveal deeper significance.

Held under the theme (un)cooked, The Assembly supports young artistic leadership in the UAE. It welcomes creatives every year to participate in a program that fosters peer-to-peer information exchange and collaborative project development. The program culminates in the Youth Takeover, where the participating cohort, guided by Art Jameel curators, engages in conceptual research, exhibition design, artwork label writing and other efforts that bring the immersive project to fruition.

As part of the program, award-winning AUS architecture alumni Marwan Ali and Nour Elbery, both graduates of the Class of 2022, collaborated on an artwork that delved into the program theme. Their work focused on the events of the Bread Riots in 1977 in their home country, Egypt. Known for their collaborative installations, Marwan and Nour explore cultural and ephemeral subjects through spatial design.

Their installation, titled “Breaking Bread,” juxtaposed contemporary individual consumption habits with collective dining. It featured cast bread sculptures made from hardened butter, serving as the focal point of their narrative.

“These sculptures laid out on a table setting serve as a stark symbol of abundance contrasted with the scarcity experienced during the Bread Riots… As visitors engage with the installation through a communal dining scenario, the artwork transforms this act into a solitary experience of consumption… underscoring the transient nature of satisfaction and the inherent aggressive individualism of our consumptive habits,” explained the artists’ brief.  

The artwork decays over time as viewers carve into the butter sculptures. The space is defined with an arch made of 120 butter knives hanging from the ceiling, symbolizing the number of injured and martyrs during the riots. As people use these knives to carve the sculptures, the sculptures wear away, symbolizing how consumption habits are temporary but can have lasting effects.

Known for creating immersive experiences through storytelling rendered into multiple forms of visual communication, alumna Mariam Shamma conveyed the program theme through an art installation bearing phrases inspired by birthday cards received over the years, symbolizing physical and emotional transformations.

“These cards immortalize the care, guilt and affection felt towards those who gifted them. By preserving the cards, the project harnesses the power of remembrance as a tool to resist aging and the loss of significant moments. It was inspired by the desire to unveil new narratives and represent the multifaceted layers of human experiences captured within heartfelt birthday cards. The collection reflects the shifting dynamics and emotional evolution experienced throughout life, mirroring the journey from societal expectations to self-discovery. Mundane cards transcend into profound expressions of human emotions and relationships,” said Shamma.

During her time in the Youth Takeover, she focused on scenography to effectively display theatrical works.

“My AUS education was crucial in shaping my overall experience, equipping me with strategic thinking, design principles and a strong understanding of craftsmanship. The curriculum encouraged critical and creative thinking, while the collaborative environment enhanced my ability to work within a team and execute complex ideas. This foundation was instrumental in my contributions to the Youth Takeover, allowing me to create impactful installations,” she said.

As part of The Assembly, AUS alumna and multimedia designer Nabeeha Sajjad designed and implemented public programs and workshops, initiated dialogues and conducted research in collaboration with the Jameel Library. She also curated and commissioned artists for the 2024 Youth Takeover event, which featured a diverse and engaging program.

Commissioned by Jameel Arts Centre for the Youth Takeover program, she presented her film “And I Must Go.” The film follows its protagonist as she grapples with the dilemma of staying within her comfort zone or challenging herself to reach her full potential by breaking free from the confines of liminality.

“Remaining in comfort is safe but static; it is not truly living, but merely surviving. This project explores existential dilemmas through a film and counterpart photo book. The film challenges traditional viewing norms and invites diverse interpretations, while the photo book highlights composition and light, paying homage to photography's fundamentals. This project was a collaborative effort involving Ala Kheir as photographer, Makki Rashid as cinematographer, Sarwa Abdul as co-director and co-producer, and Jawad al Bdiwi as music composer,” explained Sajjad.

Her comprehensive education at AUS played an influential role in her development as an artist and practitioner.

“The university's emphasis on studio culture created an environment conducive to creativity and collaboration. I learned how to develop my ideas and effectively communicate them, as well as understand the why and how of my work. The diverse curriculum and extracurricular activities allowed me to explore various aspects of art and design, laying the groundwork for my projects. Faculty members provided invaluable mentorship and guidance, helping me refine my skills and encouraging me to push the limits of my creativity. The supportive community at AUS instilled in me a sense of confidence and resilience, which has been vital in navigating the challenges of the art,” she said.

The AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Offering degrees in architecture, interior design, visual communication, and design management, CAAD provides students with a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

To know more about the AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design, visit www.aus.edu/caad.

Photo of Nabeeha Sajjad . The Youth Takeover 2024 at Jameel Arts Center. Courtesy of Art Jameel. Photography by Nino Consorte for Seeing Things.