Dubai Journey

Object: Game Board, 2010, Unique Edition
Description: Teak wood, (walnut, ebony, maple, cherry) veneer | Dimensions: 87.5 x 87.5 x 7 cm

This is a tale of the old times when travellers would take days to journey cross the deserts of the United Arab Emirates – and of the Carrom, a board game that was and still is part of that journey. I spent many wonderful hours in my childhood playing Carrom with my friends and family. The whole veneered story on the face of this object I’ve called Dubai Journey is a tribute to my hometown Dubai. It represents that journey through the deserts on camels to reach Dubai, the oasis of the Emirates. In the centre is an Arabic calligraphy of a famous description of Dubai “Dubai dar el hay”, meaning “Dubai is the home of the human being” – a very common description of Dubai among the locals. From the four corners the camels travel in towards the oasis. The surround is an Arabian desert inspired by an aerial image of the UAE desert. The UAE flag decorates the players’ four base lines and the whole game board is framed with teak – the same timber that is still used to build the dhows of the UAE. All dimensions of the game are based on the international standard for the Carrom, so this game is functional and set to go. Dubai Journey is the only piece of its edition and is very special because it expresses my emotional side and my love and longing for my hometown.