Photowalk: Al Ras - Deira District

Meeting Point: Parking of Grand Souq

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As part of the 'From End to End' exhibition curated by Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, and Jassim Al Awadhi, Tashkeel has invited participating photographers Ola Allouz, Yagoub Al Hammadi, Maitha Bughanoum, Mona Al Tamimi, Mousa Al Raeesi and Faisal Al Rais to lead six guided photowalks of different sites around Dubai. These photowalks are informed by the photographers’ personal questions and interests, and experiment with the format of a typical tourist visit, unveiling the many hidden layers and stories of the different sites of Dubai and what they have to offer.

For this Tashkeel photowalk, photographer Mona Al Tamimi will lead a two-hour visit to Grand Souq Deira - Al Ras area. Mona’s work uses carefully posed models with well-thought of props to create what resembles a tableau vivant. She will use her techniques and experience to direct the participants on how to approach potential subjects and construct compositions that consider the various colourful objects present at the Souq.

This communal activity of camera enthusiasts will meet up at 9am at the Grand Souq Parking to walk around the area looking for stories that play on the notion of a living picture

Brief description of the site:
Established in 1850, Deira's traditional souq area now comprises a range of markets restored to showcase their original architecture. Grand Souq Deira, just steps away from the entrance of the spice souk, is an ideal shopping destination for gifts and traditional Arabian products. The market has a variety of goods on offer, including toys, household items and an array of gifts. Examples include trays, spices, perfumes, herbs, shawls and other fabrics. The shopping site emerged because of its close proximity to the harbour area, where merchants received goods from merchant ships that arrived from Africa and the subcontinent. More than 220 historic building facades have been refurbished and the surrounding urban spaces have been modified to enhance the visitor experience.