Cities are a rich front of inspiration for many artists, and the Doha-based duo Christto & Andrew are no exception. Originating from Puerto Rico and South Africa, respectively, the pair collaborate on photographic, mixed media, and film projects that draw on the multifaceted Qatari capital.
Though half the size of Dubai, Doha hold its own as a global city in a Muslim country, boasting primarily an immigrant population and a strong penchant for luxury, education, and technology. However, according to Christto & Andrew in a recent interview, “not much is being done here,” art-wise, presumably. Whether or not that is the case, the city’s focus on building the future provides a lot of fodder for their work.
In their latest series, Glory of the Artifice, the artists turn their outsider eye onto the emergent culture of Doha with a cheeky sense of humor. The staged photographs are like a critique in cotton candy pastels. They toy with the tension between the sense of unbridled prosperity and stout traditionalism that exist within the city. It’s a portrayal of an East-meets-West issue faced by global Muslim cities, who must attract tourists and expats while remaining true to their beliefs.
Glory of the Artifice will be on display at the Unseen Photo Fair in Amsterdam from September 18th-20th, 2015.
