While some welcome the rapid “modernization” within the Persian Gulf region, others are apprehensive—concerned that it will wipe away the very essence of what has made this area unique. “My Father’s House: The Architecture of Cultural Heritage” attempts to grapple with this culturally significant time within the broader Middle East, which has raised debate in regard to notions of identity, tradition, and authenticity. Conservative in approach, this exhibition offers an interesting look at how architecture reflects and envelops the notion of identity within both physical and social realms.....>>Click here to read more.

Originally printed in the March/April 2010 issue of Afterimage.

As one leisurely finishes a cup of Turkish coffee, a dense liquid known for its thick, molasses-like qualities, the saucer is placed on the top of the cup and is turned upside down. The cup is rotated clockwise three times. The coffee drinker makes a wish and places the cup and saucer on the ground or a table to cool and dry while casual talk continues. Afterward, a person with a trained eye—usually a friend or relative—will read the fortune of the drinker by using the coffee residue that forms abstract shapes and patterns in the cup. This ceremony was the foundation for Lara Baladi’s recent exhibition “Diary of the Future” at the Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde in Dubai.....>>Click here to read more.

Originally printed in the July/August 2010 issue of Afterimage.