Bubble wrap, sandcastles and childhood memories: Inside Reem Al Mubarak's new Abu Dhabi exhibition

Bubble wrap, sand, and plastic chairs serve as the foundation for a new Abu Dhabi exhibition that delves into memory, play, and the formative experiences that define our identities. Reem Al Mubarak's solo show, "What We Left In The Sandbox," opened at Rizq Art Gallery on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island on Friday and will run until January 10. Curated by Emirati architect Azza Aboualam, the interactive installation invites visitors to engage with familiar materials through touch, movement, and play.

Al Mubarak notes a personal realization that modern life often lacks opportunities for creating lasting memories, even with the abundance of modern documentation tools. This realization has influenced her approach to nurturing shared experiences with her nieces and nephew. She emphasizes the importance of actively engaging in activities together, as these moments leave a stronger impression than casual conversations.

Interactive artworks, crafted from materials like bubble wrap, sand, and childhood game-related objects, form the core of the exhibition. A sandcastle scaled to the proportions of a child's memory requires visitors to stoop to enter, while a photograph transformed into a sliding puzzle showcases the fluidity of memory and the possibility of reconstructing past experiences.

The exhibition also incorporates acrylic pieces, plastic chairs, and tic-tac-toe-inspired elements, drawing on objects that hold different meanings for different generations.

Aboualam designed the exhibition to lack a prescribed route, allowing visitors to freely explore and discover connections between the pieces. She believes that photography, while a common way to document experiences, often fails to capture the full essence of those moments. Al Mubarak agrees, stating that merely taking photos does not allow one to fully experience the works.

Conversations with others during her residency at Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation proved a significant source of inspiration. One such conversation led to the creation of a bubble wrap artwork, transforming a stranger's memory into Al Mubarak's own. The exhibition reflects the collective nature of the creative process, combining personal research, physical experimentation, and the contributions of others.

By engaging with the works and sharing their own interpretations, visitors contribute to a dialogue that expands the exhibition's impact beyond its physical space. Al Mubarak's exploration of memory and play highlights the profound influence of our past on our present identities, reminding us that our experiences shape who we are.