The Library Circles programme, which takes place at the Jameel Library (Jameel Arts Centre), features a series of research, talks, and experimental interventions by diverse Emirati practitioners. Its latest iteration allows one to familiarise themselves with the project by Rashed Almulla, an Emirati urban history expert and independent researcher. The exhibition will be on view until the 13th of May, 2024.
Almulla focuses on the history of stamp production in Dubai. He explores its modernisation, urbanism, and city branding mechanisms. His project is rooted in a past form of city branding Dubai used. Almulla’s research and collection cover periods before the unification of the Emirates and the shifts post-union. He connects crucial moments in the history and development of Dubai in the wider context of the UAE, which includes its trade and international outreach, through a collection featuring postage stamps, letters, currency, and postcards.
On 16 December, you have the opportunity to learn more about Almulla’s project. Jameel Library invites everyone to join a tour led by Almulla himself. He will guide participants through his research display and tell about his collection and the key historical moments it documents in detail. Limited to 15 people, the event will start at 11:30 AM and end at 12:30. It will be held in English. To register for the tour and get more information about it, you should visit its official web page.
About the researcher
Rashed Almulla, who lives and works in Dubai, received his Master of Science in Regional and Urban Planning from the London School of Economics (London, UK). In his practice, he employs many different mediums to delve into urban history and planning. Almulla is the Founder of MABNAI, a Dubai-based organisation which educates the public on positive practices of the built environment (architecture, urban planning and design, archival history) through various projects, such as exhibitions, research initiatives, and symposiums.
In 2023, Almulla directed the Future of Gulf Housing Symposium. He also was a curator of the show titled Spaces that Remain (2022-2023) held at Bayt AlMamzar (Dubai). It displayed Emirati photographer Jalal Abuthina’s photos that document Dubai’s Sha’biyat Al Shorta neighbourhood from 2007 to 2016.
To learn more about this year’s Library Circles exhibition, please visit its official web page.
You might also be interested in attending the Once Upon a Time Museum in the Jumeirah Mosque.
To stay tuned and be sure that you will not miss our latest art news, you can join our Telegram channel.
