The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society
While past studies have considered the relationship between art and architecture, art and society, or society and architecture, few consider all three, let alone when discussing these subjects in the United Arab Emirates. This article presents the evolution of the art scene in that country’s three l...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Arts |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/12/4/135 |
| _version_ | 1797585534733778944 |
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| author | Eve Grinstead |
| author_facet | Eve Grinstead |
| author_sort | Eve Grinstead |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | While past studies have considered the relationship between art and architecture, art and society, or society and architecture, few consider all three, let alone when discussing these subjects in the United Arab Emirates. This article presents the evolution of the art scene in that country’s three largest emirates, from its foundation as a federation through today, as a reflection of local societal truths. Since its early days, each concerned emirate—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, has developed an art scene unique from the others, and each one has been housed in different kinds of mostly vernacular—though sometimes academic—architecture. Through data collection of the various types of architecture employed in each emirate, this article explores possible reasons why each state has its own art scene, and what can explain this phenomenon. Abu Dhabi, the wealthy capital, has “starchitect” designed institutions; the more avant-garde Dubai employs recycled industrial hangars (or structures made to look as such); while the more traditional Sharjah repurposes historical structures for artistic use. Over time, each emirate begins to borrow different architectural tendencies hitherto mostly seen in the other states, demonstrative of the constant competition the three emirates have with each other. Beyond the local implications, these structures provide a rich discussion on what is considered vernacular in a modern context, as well as where the definition of one stops and the other begins. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:08:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70970e31fa5648399fdf7ba79c64605f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0752 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:08:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Arts |
| spelling | doaj.art-70970e31fa5648399fdf7ba79c64605f2023-11-19T00:10:44ZengMDPI AGArts2076-07522023-06-0112413510.3390/arts12040135The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of SocietyEve Grinstead0ED 540—École Doctorale Lettres, Arts, Sciences Humaines et Sociales, L’Institut d’histoire moderne et contemporaine (IHMC), UMR 8066, École Normale Supérieure (Ulm), Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres), 75005 Paris, FranceWhile past studies have considered the relationship between art and architecture, art and society, or society and architecture, few consider all three, let alone when discussing these subjects in the United Arab Emirates. This article presents the evolution of the art scene in that country’s three largest emirates, from its foundation as a federation through today, as a reflection of local societal truths. Since its early days, each concerned emirate—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, has developed an art scene unique from the others, and each one has been housed in different kinds of mostly vernacular—though sometimes academic—architecture. Through data collection of the various types of architecture employed in each emirate, this article explores possible reasons why each state has its own art scene, and what can explain this phenomenon. Abu Dhabi, the wealthy capital, has “starchitect” designed institutions; the more avant-garde Dubai employs recycled industrial hangars (or structures made to look as such); while the more traditional Sharjah repurposes historical structures for artistic use. Over time, each emirate begins to borrow different architectural tendencies hitherto mostly seen in the other states, demonstrative of the constant competition the three emirates have with each other. Beyond the local implications, these structures provide a rich discussion on what is considered vernacular in a modern context, as well as where the definition of one stops and the other begins.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/12/4/135Emirati art scenemanifestations of power through art and architecturevehicular vs. vernacular spacegrassroots art sceneswomen in the artsroyal families in the arts |
| spellingShingle | Eve Grinstead The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society Arts Emirati art scene manifestations of power through art and architecture vehicular vs. vernacular space grassroots art scenes women in the arts royal families in the arts |
| title | The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society |
| title_full | The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society |
| title_fullStr | The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society |
| title_short | The Emirati Vernacular: Tracing the UAE’s Art History through Architecture as a Reflection of Society |
| title_sort | emirati vernacular tracing the uae s art history through architecture as a reflection of society |
| topic | Emirati art scene manifestations of power through art and architecture vehicular vs. vernacular space grassroots art scenes women in the arts royal families in the arts |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/12/4/135 |
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