At this distance the bathers look like meerkats. They stand upright, attentive to the river lapping at their rock. One rubs his chin. He's playing for time, but no one is exactly racing him into the grey, clouded water. On the headland beyond them a kind of industrial longhouse with smokestack appended dissolves into the mist, or perhaps resolves out of it. Everything is cold, vaporous. A boulder the size of the Zayed Mosque looms above the tiny pink figures. It's a postcard from over the edge, a holiday snap from some spiritual abyss.
"It was never intended to be a project in sustainability," says Nadav Kander carefully when I call him in London, "but I can quite see how it would influence people to positive action." Bathers is one of the pictures Kander took by the Yangtze River between 2006 and 2009. He travelled along and around the river, trying to catch the mood of life on the most populous shores on the planet. "I was very aware that if I just travelled the Yangtze I would come back with very National Geographic pictures, and I'm not really interested," he explains. "So although these works might now look like documentary, or are a document of what I saw, it's not really my intention." On the contrary, what he wanted was nothing less than, as he puts it, "to take pictures of how I feel".
"After a few trips, I started realising how I was slipping away from everything - how I was tending to photograph almost voyeuristically and from the shadows," he says. By keeping China at arm's length, the scale of its development becomes apparent. People are specks in the shadow of cement piles and earth works, yet they keep beetling on. In one image a woman seems to sleepwalk across a mudflat in the shadow of a vast concrete bridge. A motorcycle rusts in the water behind her, as if she had just ridden across the riverbed and parked up once she reached dry land. She looks unstoppable.
"The metaphor of the river constantly moving and constant change is obviously at the forefront of my mind," Kander says. "I'm looking at China and feeling what China is like. There's huge migration there. There are more people in China that are away from their families and have been for six or eight months or a year than live in the USA. So there are more than 300 million people that are just wandering around, working in the state of flux, and it had a big effect on me.
"It's quite different to going to Shanghai, travelling up the river. It really is quite a hard life for a lot of people. And that's your mental state while looking for pictures that are telling as well as quite beautiful."
Whatever his mental state, he found them. Late last year Kander's series won the photographer the second ever Prix Pictet award. The prize was established in 2008 by the Swiss Bank Pictet and Cie with the intention of highlighting issues of global importance: this year's theme was "Earth". It's a major prize. Entrants were put forward by nomination and judged by a panel that included the architect Zaha Hadid, the UK's former chief science advisor Professor David King and a good chunk of the Financial Times arts desk. Kofi Annan, the prize's honourary president, handed over the 100,000-franc (Dh343,000) cheque.
More flattering than the panel and the prize was the competition. Kander was up against the likes of Naoya Katakeyama, Andreas Gursky and Edward Burtynsky, photographers who made names for themselves precisely by shooting the changing face of the planet. "There were people there that I was very, very happy to be with," Kander says. "And then to win it on the night was very very surprising. I really didn't think it could happen." He laughs. "It was lucky I was even in the room at the time."
This week Dubaians can judge Kander's work for themselves. His part of his winning series, plus a selection from the other shortlisted work, is going on display at the Empty Quarter gallery in Dubai's International Financial Centre. It should be a spectacular show. Along with Kander's work we'll get to see Ed Kashi's Goya-ish dispatches from Nigeria, Katakeyama's hallucinatory visions of excavation and subterranean space and Christopher Anderson's quasi-formalist farmland studies, to mention just a few of the series in store. Kander himself won't be in town. At the time of our conversation he's holed up in London trying to figure out his next move. "My work sort of happens to me more than I think of an idea and then follow it through," he says. "It's not easy coming."
Kander's whole approach to photography is intuitive to the point of opacity. He keeps apologising for not being able to explain what he does. "I can't really ever put my finger on my process," he says. "My work informs me. That's all I can say." Expanding on the theme he remarks: "I go into pictures and they happen to me. There are things I see that nourish me that I then photograph. It's how I'm feeling that pulls me to be in a certain place or [makes me] look in a certain way."
Despite this rather mystical account of his methods, Kander manages to combine his artistic work with high-profile advertising jobs for the likes of Adidas and Levi's. He did the famous poster images of tutu-ed dancers scissor-kicking their way around railway sidings and multistorey car parks for the English National Ballet. He shot the sleeve art for records by Placebo, Snow Patrol and Richard Ashcroft. "I find it very exciting working commercially because it's communication," he says. "When you work on day one and start discussing the thing and then on day 20 photographing it, and then on day 90, 60 million people might see something, it's interesting- Far more people see the commercial work than see the artwork, that's for sure."
And perhaps he likes the discipline of it. Kander learned photography during a mandatory stint in the South African air force (he was born in Israel in 1961 but moved to South Africa when he was three years old). The military instruction he got was "very basic, but [my] only formal training". Still, he says, "I had been mad about photography since I was about 13, so I knew how to take pictures. I'm very logical, so the craft side of photography was there." At 21 he moved to London and worked as an assistant for a series of professionals.
"I was apprenticed to the craft of photography, definitely," he says. "I didn't do Royal College. I didn't do the art background. Anything that happens to me in the art world is just happening because my work does the speaking. It's certainly not me, as you can hear."
That work has opened some impressive doors, and not only in the art world. Americans will know Kander best for a January 2009 edition of The New York Times Magazine. It was given over entirely to a series of 53 portraits of the newly inaugurated President Obama and his aides. The magazine commissioned Kander when it became apparent that Obama was headed for the White House. Kander went to Washington and Chicago during the presidential transition, lining up Team Obama's central figures and shooting them in tight focus against a white background.
"They were excited, some of them were," Kander recalls. "Not many of them realised that there would be so many in one magazine. So people just turned up, wearing the clothes that they happened to be in that day... If people came with six pens in their pockets and pocket protectors and two BlackBerrys on their belt, that's how they're gonna look. If later they say I look like a nerd? Well, yeah."
The results are fascinating, at once intimate and forensic. Ellen Moran fixes the camera with a glassy star. Tim Geithner writhes and pouts like an Egon Schiele portrait. Ken Salazar looks like a stuffed cowboy. These are not kind pictures.
"To me it seemed like the right way to not date them," Kander says. "To me that's interesting. I'm absolutely positive that had I taken 53 flattering portraits, they wouldn't have been interesting and having the museum shows they're having."
Portraiture and landscape are the two poles of Kander's art. But perhaps they're really just different facets of the same interest. As he says: "I seem to be attracted to troubled landscapes. I enjoy working with landscape, showing the effects of man, the palm-print of man, on the earth. I'm not really interested in natural landscape in any way, or pictorial landscape for that matter." He pauses. "The landscape is only interesting to me when it shows the story of, what's a good word for it? Mankind." Evidently Pictet found its man.
A selection from the 2009 Prix Pictet shortlist is on show at the Empty Quarter gallery at the Dubai International Financial Centre until March 6.
More on Quran memorisation:
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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Brief scoreline:
Wolves 3
Neves 28', Doherty 37', Jota 45' 2
Arsenal 1
Papastathopoulos 80'
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
FIGHT%20CARD
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Last-16
France 4
Griezmann (13' pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')
Argentina 3
Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90 3')
RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last 16, second leg
Liverpool (0) v Atletico Madrid (1)
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: Thursday, March 12, midnight
Live: On beIN Sports HD
ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.