Pic(k) of the week 30: THE SCROLL - HOUSE OF WISDOM, Sharjah, UAE

The United Arab Emirates, the country which I've called home for exactly 19 years this week, consists of 7 Emirates. Most visitors know the two largest Dubai and Abu Dhabi but struggle with the remaining five; Ajman, Fujeirah, Has al Khaimah, Umm al Quwain and Sharjah. The latter is the third largest and is the only one that has land on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. 

Sharjah was named Unesco's "Arab capital of culture" in 1998 and in 2019 became the "Unesco World Book capital" for the year. As part of the award, the emirate of Sharjah opened a new library at the end of 2020 called, "House of Wisdom". Named after the famous House of Wisdom Bagdad, this modern 21st century library close to Sharjah University, holds over 100.000 physical books spread over two floors in 15 lobbies and halls. 

In front of the building, we find a very interesting spiral sculpture, "The Scroll". A contemporary interpretation of the ancient Arabic scrolls designed by artist Gerry Judah. Standing 36m (120ft) tall, the monocoque structure has no connection between the different loops as they pass each other.

In the image below, I wanted to show the beautiful curves of the Scroll reaching for the sky. 

Image details:

  • Fujifilm GFX100S with GF32-64 f4 lens
  • ISO100, f14, 1/120s, 32mm focal length
  • Fujifilm Nostalgic Negative Film Simulation
The new Nostalgic Negative film simulation which is only available on the GFX100 and GFX100S for now, is inspired by the America New Color photography movement of the early 1970's. A few leading names of the genre are William Eggleston, Stephen Shore and Joel Meyerowitz. All interesting photographers in their own right. 

Are you interested in more images of the project? Click here. 

Remember: "Sculpture is the art of intelligence" - Pablo Picasso 




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