NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced the opening of SYNTHESIS, an exhibition that showcases the research and experimentation of the university’s inaugural Master of Fine Arts (MFA) cohort. These emerging artists employ expansive visualizations to explore questions and ideas, offering valuable insights into our contemporary global condition.
Running until August 25th at 421, the exhibition features 43 works by graduate students and artists including Mahra AlFalahi, Liane Al Ghusain, Majd Alloush, Fabiola Chiminazzo, and Elizabeth Dorazio. SYNTHESIS represents the second year of collaboration between 421 and NYUAD.
Tina Sherwell, MFA Programme Director and Visiting Assistant Professor of Art and Art History at NYUAD, expressed pride in the progress made by the artists and looks forward to welcoming the broader community during the exhibition’s duration. She highlights that the two-year MFA in Art and Media at NYUAD is the region’s only program, offering graduate students the opportunity to showcase their work at one of the UAE’s leading art institutions, 421.
Said Faisal Al Hassan, Head of 421, shared his excitement about hosting NYU Abu Dhabi’s SYNTHESIS: 2023 MFA Graduate Show. He emphasized the seamless partnership between 421 and NYUAD’s Master of Fine Arts in Art and Media program, with both entities dedicated to supporting the production of emergent contemporary practices from the region.
Among the showcased works, Elizabeth Dorazio’s Cosmic Forest utilizes drawing techniques to highlight the random, unpredictable, and ever-moving aspects of the natural world. Liane Al Ghusain presents pieces in her project I Would Tread Lightly, reflecting her Palestinian experiences in the diaspora. These include geometric embroidery, serial sculptures, non-narrative videos, and performances.
Majd Alloush’s project, Mapscapes, explores the intersection of art and technology. He investigates the transformation of pixels into tangible objects to document overlooked urban and absurd landscapes that exist in our surroundings. Mahra AlFalahi’s Folded Stories project delves into the effects of memories within storytelling and socialization, using textiles as her medium and drawing inspiration from her own childhood experiences.
Fabiola Chiminazzo’s Encounter Museum investigates society’s surplus of imagery by utilizing archival images from photos, books, prints, and museum catalogs. Each artist brings a unique perspective and approach to their work, contributing to the diversity and richness of the exhibition.
NYUAD’s MFA program is a two-year degree in the visual arts, designed as a full-time, interdisciplinary studio art program. It cultivates a space at the crossroads of practice and theory, tradition and change in the arts. The program immerses students in contemporary research and art practices while fostering critical thinking and artistic innovation.
Courses within the program emphasize artistic experimentation, incorporating theoretical, cultural, and historical studies. By bridging disciplinary skills and diverse bodies of knowledge, students are encouraged to explore and develop their artistic voice.
SYNTHESIS serves as a platform for MFA graduates to share their artistic growth and vision with the public, offering a unique opportunity to experience the creative journeys of these emerging artists and gain insights into the contemporary art landscape.