I initially wanted to write a blog post only about a project I’m involved in, called Restart The Art, but I just finished working on my new picture for the 52 Week Project and I felt like the picture works well with the idea of the project.

Restart The Art is an amazing idea by The Sameness Project that brings together UAE based artists and the workers that help build the city. It began on friday, where each artist was assigned a worker to collaborate with. I got to collaborate with Navdeep Singh, an amazing soul who told me stories about his mother, and about his dream of becoming a furniture designer.

All the workers were asked three questions:
1) What is your dream in life?
2) What is your greatest joy?
3) What is your greatest pain?

Then they were asked to create an artwork based on that. Navdeep created not one, but two artworks! One was a sketch of a bedroom, and he explained to me in detail how he’d make the bed, headboard, and bedside tables. He loves woodwork. His second artwork was a drawing of a broken heart. He told me a story about a girl he’s in love with, and how she broke his heart. It was an intense conversation, he wanted to cry and I was digging my nails into my palms just to hold back the tears. He said something like “when you go through your day constantly wondering if the one you love is thinking about you, if she even cares about you, it’s almost better not to be alive”. That broke my heart, and I said something like “never give up hope, you never know what could happen”. To that, he replied with “where there is life, there is hope”.
I don’t think I’ve ever had such a deep conversation with a stranger. The whole experience left me feeling humbled. I shared my joys and fears with Navdeep, and we ended our conversation with smiles despite the tears in our eyes. We’re all the same, we all have fears and dreams and joys. We are one.

Now I have two weeks to use Navdeep’s artwork and create something of my own, but it has to be a 50/50 collaboration. I already have an idea of how I’m going to proceed with it, and I can’t wait to start!
Once all the artworks are submitted, people would be able to vote online for the best artwork. Then all the artworks will be exhibited during Art Week in Dubai on one of the big white busses that carry the workers around the city.

So why do I feel like this works with my new picture?
Last week’s theme was I dreamed a dream. And it got me thinking about escaping, about how we all feel trapped sometimes, and one of my dreams is to get away. To walk away from all that is familiar and dive into the unknown, no matter how scary.

This week’s theme is: book title.
Oh dear. I read a lot but my mind’s blank right now. Lemme know what your favorite books are! I could use some inspiration 🙂
Have a wonderful week everyone!

 

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