Maqam Al Saba… Protection for memory in a time of war
With the end of 2017, the Maqam Al Saba exhibition has opened in Dubai for the Syrian artist Maysa Mohammed, ushering us into 2018, and continuing until the 31st of January.
The St. Regis Dubai collaborates once again with Sulty Events to present Maqam Al-Saba. The exhibition is displaying at the hotel’s spectacular courtyard, Le Patio.
Showcasing 34 iconic creations by Syrian artist, Maysa Mohammed’s Maqam Al-Saba collection, the exhibition offers a platform for art aficionados to experience and understand the inspiration behind her most recent work. Born in Damascus, Maysa uses a spectrum of vibrant colours and expert techniques to narrate a figurative story of the cultural and social landscape of her nation. The Maqam Al-Saba collection presents a range of masterpieces inspired by spiritual emotion, depicted through rhythmic and melodious art. With influences from dark experiences surrounding betrayal, chaos, death and pain, Maysa’s bright and playful art is a representation of the belief that despite the pain, there is room for life. Featuring distorted faces in striking colours and narrating stories of bravery and strength, the artist’s work leaves viewers captivated and charmed by her spirit.
Maqam Al-Saba by Maysa Mohamad
A genre is broadly a construction of musical notation determined by certain features. This construct distinguishes a musical commonality between various countries. Maqam Al Saba, then, is an eastern praxis, in that Arabian instruments wholly generate this construct. It is said that the tradition’s original name was Sabah, and due to the difficulty of its pronunciation was gradually amended to Saba. The title carries several connotations: childhood, yearning and craving, or easterly winds (particularly when the day/night cycle reaches equilibrium). It is 
also said that it can allude to men’s tearful cries, possibly because the tradition is so sorrowful that upon listening to instruments playing in that style, you would perceive it as themselves weeping. However, the Saba genre, possesses an immersive spirituality and passion that lends itself to vulnerability and melancholy, and melancholy is not
necessarily sorrow.
Musically, it is considered theoretically deficient. Its musical scale is improper, yet a melody and spiritual feel that’s rapt with emotion make, the Saba genre very distinct. Art penetrates the soul, superseding words, era, and language.
It is also patriotic. In all its negotiations, it possesses that every day spirituality. It is powerful and capable of regeneration; and unique like a phoenix.
We need to feel connected to this good earth, and we need to know ourselves.
Here I am as a bell: a ring of joy, a ring of sorrow, and a ring of prayer.
Culture is the great inheritance that engenders the real prosody of life, so that our connection to its beating power remains intact.
We sense dormant vibrations in the essence of things, all things which beat with life, so that we escape mortality’s reach.
Vanessa de Caires, Owner of Sulty Events and Entertainment
“Exhibiting the works of artist Maysa Mohammed’s caliber is an honour for Sulty Events – The exhibition is emotionally engaging, thought provoking, and visually gratifying – a unique and captivating experience.”
Perspective: Art Exhibition launched on 13 December with an exclusive preview for VIP guests, art aficionados and influencers from 7:30-10pm. Maysa Mohammed will also be available for interviews on the opening night of the exhibition.
The exhibition will be open for public from 14 December 2017 – 31 January 2018, 10am- 10pm.