In a solo exhibition at 421, Nasir Nasrallah whimsically rouses machines with the stuff of life, utilizing mirrors, textiles, texts and drawings to ask an alternate viewpoint of expertise.

Poetic of Machines just isn’t a dystopian envisioning of a world overrun by devices. Rather, it’s a playful reimagining of the instruments that populate our lives.

In round canvases, disjointed mechanical components swirl with mobile grace, as if seen by a microscope. Elsewhere, by sprawling textile works, satellites look again beaming with childlike eyes.

Images of crankshafts and suction pumps are painted on framed, reflective surfaces. Handwritten pages are pinned to the wall, logging conversations between man and machine.

“The idea of giving gadgets and machines personalities came from wanting to let people see and relate to technology in a new and interesting way,” Nasrallah says. “Instead of just seeing them as regular tools, I wanted to show that these devices have their own unique qualities and behaviours, kind of like people do.”

Poetic of Machines is operating at 421, previously Warehouse421, till September 24. The exhibition is a product of the 421 Artistic Development Programme, by which rising creatives residing within the UAE obtain steering on learn how to develop their follow. They are additionally given the house to experiment and produce work.

“The programme provided me with mentorship and feedback that supported the development of this body of work,” Nasrallah says. “It was also a great opportunity to install a large-scale solo exhibition in a major public space and see how my project can take a life of its own through the physical presentation.”

While participating within the programme, Nasrallah turned eager to analyzing the rapport between people and expertise.

This relationship has been a lifelong curiosity to him, analogous to the bond he had along with his late grandfather, Mohammed Nasrallah Alzarooni, to whom the exhibition is devoted to.

“My relationship with my late grandfather was truly special and deeply influential in shaping my artistic journey,” he says.

As a toddler, Nasrallah would typically spend time in his grandfather’s vintage store in Sharjah. Located in Souq Al Arsa, Gulf Antiques, he says, was “a spot full of treasures that carried tales of the previous”.

“I would often spend hours in his shop, surrounded by the aura of history and the whispers of forgotten eras,” he says. “My grandfather had an extraordinary ability to see the beauty in old and discarded objects.”

Much of Poetic of Machines aims to do the same, whether it is by giving childlike qualities to scrap metals or by reimagining a fax machine as a centerpiece to an installation.

The exhibition is replete with world-building concepts and mythology that give it its capricious flair. Nasrallah’s visual sensibilities, along the spatial dynamics within 421, make visitors feel immersed within this industrial magic realism.

But it is the research behind the works and Nasrallah’s personal history that adds depth to his light-hearted approach.

Besides finding inspiration in his grandfather, Nasrallah was also spurred by the research he did on historical figures from the region. These include Ismail Al-Jazari, a 12th century polymath with roots in in the area of Upper Mesopotamia. Al-Jazari excelled in a number of areas. He was a mathematician, artisan and mechanical engineer.

However, he is perhaps most famous for authoring The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices, in which he proposed more than 50 gadgets with instructions on how to construct them.

Among his inventions are the elephant clock, and one of the earliest water supply systems that was operated by gears and pumps. Many of his inventions featured mechanical parts that mimicked human movement. His automata were also thought to have influenced Leonardo da Vinci.

Nasrallah uses several mechanical parts in his artworks that bear resemblance to the ones conceived by Al-Jazari.

“Exploring the achievements and innovations of historical figures like Ismail Al-Jazari connects my work to a legacy of human ingenuity and creativity,” he says.

“Al-Jazari, a renowned inventor of the Islamic Golden Age, inspired me with his intricate mechanical designs and innovative ideas. His contributions to automata and engineering remind me of the timeless fascination humans have had with crafting machines.

“By referencing historical figures like Al-Jazari, I aim to bridge the gap between past and present, highlighting the continuous thread of innovation that runs through human history.”

Nasrallah additionally discovered inspiration in different scientific notions. When considering on how the scrapped equipment would occupy the two-dimensional house of his drawings, he determined to use microgravity, or the looks of weightlessness seen in astronauts or objects in house.

“By delving into the effects of microgravity on objects and organisms, I seek to capture the essence of the unknown and the unexplored,” he says.

“In essence, historical readings and research serve as a wellspring of ideas, guiding me to create artworks that resonate on intellectual, emotional and cultural levels.”

While the phrase “poetics” is often employed when discussing the construction, patterns and types inside literature and poetry, Nasrallah makes use of the idea to suggest the creative selections that come when devising machines.

“Just as poets carefully choose words and arrange them in unique ways to create meaning and evoke emotions, the creators of these machines put thought into their design, functionality and even the way they interact with us,” Nasrallah says.

The exhibition’s title, he provides, is meant to evoke an appreciation for the creativity and thoughtfulness required when making expertise, and never merely within the utilitarian sense.

“I hope the exhibition sparks curiosity about the intersection of art, science, and history. Encountering diverse mediums, narratives and concepts can encourage visitors to explore new ideas, engage in interdisciplinary thinking and embrace a spirit of continuous learning.”

Updated: September 15, 2023, 6:02 PM