ABU DHABI: A new art exhibition is celebrating Emirati culture and featuring the world’s largest instant camera, created by French visual artist Patrick Amory. Housed at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi, the “Totem Experience” was unveiled at a special event by Noura Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority — Abu Dhabi (MZA) and twofour54. The event was attended by Sheikh Mubarak bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan and MZA board members Mohamed Al-Ghanim and Fahad Al-Neyadi; the Acting CEO of MZA and twofour54 Maryam Al-Mheiri; and Director General of Tourism & Culture Authority — Abu Dhabi, Saif Ghobash.

One of the exhibition highlights is a giant installation entitled the “Falcon Totem”, a new way of visualizing and paying homage to the symbolic bird of the UAE through three-double-sided large format photographs on three imposing white Carrara marble slabs. In its worldwide premiere unveiling, this monumental art installation stands at 4.3m x 3m and weighs 2,700 kg. In addition to the “Falcon Totem”, the ALCHEMYA ROOM holds the largest instant print camera in the world. Also designed by Patrick Amory and built in wood from a 150 year old olive tree, this giant transportable device when unfolded measures 2m wide and 2.20m high. It produces unique prints of 90x60cm that are instantly developed and printed in two minutes by the integrated processor of the camera.

Maryam Al-Mheiri said: “This intriguing installation by twofour54 campus partner Patrick Amory is a wonderful addition to twofour54’s vibrant campus. Creativity is a vital ingredient in the media and entertainment industry and twofour54 is proud to witness the success of our partners who are helping to enrich the industry and inspire the next generation of creative talent with diverse types of media.”