Can memories be trusted? Abu Dhabi exhibition explores how the past changes with every recollection

Every time an individual recalls a memory, there is a risk of altering its details. Emotions attached to the event may change, and the experience might no longer resemble its original form. This process, referred to as memory reconsolidation, serves as the foundation for an exhibition called Consolidation is Reconsolidation. The exhibition, featuring five artists from the United Arab Emirates, is currently on display at Region, a gallery located in Abu Dhabi's MiZa district.

The show marks the launch of Hyphen Contemporary, a curatorial platform established by Cecelia Jihu-Sara to support emerging artists and introduce new collectors to contemporary art.

The artists in the exhibition question the preservation, distortion, and reconstruction of memories through various mediums, such as photography, painting, sculpture, and scent. Cecelia Jihu-Sara, the founder of Hyphen Contemporary, shares that the memories we recall most frequently are often the least reliable. This exhibition arrives at a time when nearly every experience can be documented, but the resulting records might not be as permanent or trustworthy as personal recollections.

Jihu-Sara also highlights the shift in the relationship between experiencing moments and recording them, as many events now take place through smartphone screens. This raises questions about what is truly experienced and who is experiencing it when individuals are engrossed in their devices.

Digital recordings, while capturing sights and sounds, may not accurately reproduce the emotions associated with an event. The exhibition also explores the vulnerability of online archives, which can be susceptible to disappearing files and AI manipulation. The distinction between documentation and truth becomes increasingly blurred in this digital age. Through their art, the artists delve into these complexities and invite viewers to question the nature and reliability of memories.

Through their diverse approaches, the artists showcase the multifaceted nature of memory and its impact on our understanding of the past. The exhibition Consolidation is Reconsolidation not only addresses the theme of trust in memories but also establishes the ambitions of Hyphen Contemporary as a platform championing emerging artists and introducing new collectors to contemporary art.