Garden of Delight
Garden of Delight (2016-2018)
“There is no boundary, believe me; there is no civilization on one side, no barbarians on the other. There's simply the forwardmost edge of the mutation advancing inside us.” (from “The Barbarians”, Alessandro Baricco)
‘Garden of Delight’ is a visual case-study on high-speed urbanization, leisure and consumerism in Dubai. The series showcases Dubai as the ultimate playground of globalization and capitalism, and raises questions about authenticity and sustainability.
The rapid transformation of Dubai from a dusty fishing town in the sixties to the ultramodern metropolis of today, fascinates both supporters and critics. With its prestigious shopping malls, artificial islands and iconic skyscrapers, the little emirate at the Persian Gulf is a world player when it comes to tourism and business.
Dubai’s excessive entertainment industry has a big impact on Emirati society. 90 percent of the population in Dubai are expats, only 10 percent are local Emirati citizens. Their traditional islamic values are being challenged by Western lifestyle, imported by expat workers.
Dubai is a generic city: a city without a long history, heritage or a specific character of its own. Dubai is a brand, an artificial construct that is focused primarily on generating profit.
Dubai is the perfect example of a ‘capsular society’: A dual society, in which the first world is an archipelago of shielded islands or ‘capsules’ where it’s pleasant to live; the second world is all the rest: an ocean of poverty and chaos. In a capsular society public space becomes privatized. Capsular architecture – such as gated communities, malls and theme parks – simulates public space on private ground.
The process of urbanization in Dubai strikingly resembles the phenomenon of capsularization. On a local scale there is the segregation between the wealthy inhabitants/expats and the exploited migrant workers. On a global level, the United Arab Emirates can be considered as one big ‘capsule’, a safe haven in the unstable Middle East.
Garden of Delight was awarded the Magnum Photography Award (2017), the Zeiss Photography Award (2018), Days Japan Special Jury Prize (2018), Nannen Preis (2018, shortlisted). The book and exhibition will be launched in December 2018 in De Garage – Space for Contemporary Art in Mechelen, Belgium.
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Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art
video/audio
A small voice. Conversations with photographers, Ben Smith podcast, 2021
Striking photos capture Dubai’s artificial universes, Connect the World, CCN, 2018
Interview 100% Cultuur, ATV, 2018
Zeiss Photography Award reportage, 2018
Interview, Krolop & Gerst, 2018
Interview, Shifter Media, 2016
Interview, De Afspraak, Canvas, 2015
Interview, 100% Cultuur, ATV, 2014
Al Qudra Desert. September 20, 2016
Gaming and entertainment complex Hub Zero, City Walk. January 5, 2017
Cove Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel. January 11, 2017
Saudi tourists are having a hot chocolate at Chillout Ice Lounge, a subzero bar at Oasis Mall. January 6, 2016
Fireworks above the artificial Bluewaters Island on the occasion of the islamic feast of sacrifice Eid Al-Adha. September 14, 2016
Pakistani construction workers are waiting for the bus to the labour camp they are housed in, Dubai Marina. January 2, 2016
The theme park Global Village consists of replicas of landmark buildings and shopping pavilions representing 75 countries.
The buildings are changed every season to ensure repeat visitors get a different experience each time they travel here. January 7, 2017
A champagne waiter welcomes guests to the Versailles Decadence Friday Brunch at Brasserie Quartier, St. Regis Hotel. January 6, 2017
Replica of a Persian mosque at Ibn Battuta Mall. The mall consists of six courts, each of whose designs are inspired by countries visited by medieval Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta. January 16, 2016
Green Planet, an indoor tropical rainforest, consisting of a giant concrete tree structure with a walkway built inside.
In and around the tree live tropical birds, reptiles, porcupines and sloths. January 5, 2017
Indoor ski resort Ski Dubai, located at the Mall of the Emirates, features an 85 metre high mountain and a 400 metre long run. January 12, 2016
Portrait of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, at Dubai Royal Equestrian Club. January 3, 2017
Prototype of the Floating Seahorse, an underwater holiday villa with butler, located at The World, a manmade archipelago in the Persian Gulf. The villa features underwater bedrooms and bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for submarine views. 90 Floating Seahorses, costing €2.5 million each, are planned to be built. January 16, 2017
Closing time after celebrating New Year’s Eve at Cavalli Club, Fairmont Hotel. January 1, 2016
New Year’s Eve at Cavalli Club, Fairmont Hotel. December 31, 2015
Bedouin-inspired JA Al Sahra Desert Resort and Equestrian Centre, Dubailand. January 2, 2018
Advertisement for El Beit, a TV show about the values and traditions of the UAE. January 17, 2016
Villa along the Dubai Water Canal, a 3 km long artificial canal leading from Business Bay into the Persian Gulf. January 5, 2017
Construction workers during lunch break at the Dubai Water Canal. January 5, 2017
MSC Musica cruise ship on the Persian Gulf. March 11, 2016
Rooftop infinity pool at Meydan Hotel with a view of the Meydan Racecourse, home to the Dubai World Cup, one of the world's richest horse races with €24 million in prize money. January 7, 2016
Foodcourt at Dubai Outlet Mall. January 15, 2016
WHITE Dubai nightclub, Meydan Racecourse. September 16, 2016
Armani Privé nightclub, designed by Giorgio Armani. September 20, 2016
The Royal Suite at Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah. September 22, 2016
Carpark near the manmade Al Qudra Lakes in Saih Al Salam Desert. January 14, 2017
Driveway to Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah. September 22, 2016
Saturday brunch at Blue Marlin Ibiza beach club, Ghantoot. January 16, 2016
JBR Marina Beach. January 15, 2016
Temperature controlled 35 acre indoor theme park IMG Worlds of Adventure. September 18, 2016
Urban Tails pet resort features Royal Suites with plasma TV and webcam for €53 per night. January 9, 2017
People by Crystal nightclub, Raffles Hotel. September 17, 2016
Ski Dubai houses king penguins who are shown to the public several times a day. Private penguin encounters can be booked. September 19, 2016
Tunisian Court at Ibn Battuta Mall. September 16, 2016
Sales office of Dubailand, a 278 km² theme park development, with an estimated cost of €51 billion when announced in 2003.
Due to Dubai's financial crisis the development was put on hold in 2008. September 20, 2016
JBR Marina Beach. December 30, 2017
Emirates Golf Club. January 13, 2016
The Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Mall. December 30, 2015
Oasis Mall. January 6, 2016
Cirque Le Soir nightclub, Fairmont Hotel. January 6, 2018
New Year’s Eve at Cavalli Club, Fairmont Hotel. January 1, 2016
Cirque Le Soir nightclub, Fairmont Hotel. January 6, 2018
Falcon, national symbol of the UAE, Al Awir Desert Camp. January 9, 2017
Karaoke lounge at Hub Zero entertainment complex. January 5, 2017
Dubai Safari Park. December 29, 2017
WHITE Dubai nightclub, Meydan Racecourse. September 16, 2016
Desert Road to Al Qudra Lakes. January 14, 2017
Miracle Garden car park, Dubailand. September 20, 2016
Entrance to the Pyramids restaurant, Wafi Mall. January 4, 2016
Talise Spa, Burj Al Arab Hotel. September 22, 2016
Meydan Heights gated compound. January 12, 2017
Dubai Marina, a cluster of skyscrapers built around an artificial canal. January 2, 2016
Cloakroom at Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. September 19, 2016
Billionaire Mansion nightclub, Taj Hotel. September 13, 2016
Billboard showcasing the Sweden Palace situated at The World, an artificial archipelago of islands constructed in the rough shape of a world map,
located 4 kilometres off the coast in the Persian Gulf. January 16, 2017
MSC Musica cruise ship, Persian Gulf. March 7, 2016
China Court at Ibn Battuta Mall. January 16, 2016
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City. January 8, 2017
Desert safari with dune bashing trip in Al Badayer Desert. January 9, 2017
Haute couture chocolate dress at Boutique Le Chocolat, City Walk. September 21, 2016
Candypants party at Inner City Zoo, Rixos Premium Hotel. January 3, 2018
New Year’s Eve at Cavalli Club, Fairmont Hotel. January 1, 2016
MSC Musica at Dubai Cruise Terminal, Port Rashid. March 12, 2016
Cove Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel. January 11, 2017
Lamborghini, St. Regis Hotel. January 6, 2017
WHITE Dubai nightclub, Meydan Racecourse. September 16, 2016
Baby Brent’s Luncheonette, Motiongate. January 5, 2018
New Year’s Eve at XL Dubai, Habtoor Grand Hotel. December 31, 2017
Virtual Arena, Hub Zero gaming complex. December 28, 2017
Zinc nightclub, Crowne Plaza Hotel. January 4, 2016
Billionaire Mansion nightclub, Taj Hotel. September 14, 2016
Full Moon Yoga session, Fairmont The Palm Hotel. September 17, 2016
Safety drill on board of the MSC Musica cruise ship. March 7, 2016
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