Mohamed Al Qemzi, an Emirati business student at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi is the next of the participants in the internship programme at the UAE National Pavilion in Venice to share his thoughts about the city on the water.
As part of a six-month rolling programme hosted by pavilion, each intern spends one month in Venice living and working acting as custodians and docents of the National Pavilion throughout the duration of the exhibition Lest We Forget: Structures of Memory in the UAE at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia. A group of 19 Emiratis and long-term residents of the UAE were selected for the programme in addition to eight Italian interns from the prestigious Ca'Foscari University in Venice, whom will be partnering with the Emiratis for cultural and language exchange.
Mohamed writes:
“I for one seek perfection in everything I gaze upon, and being in Venice, even though its reputation precedes it, has reality shattered my perceptions and expectations. This city is just larger than life! No matter what you read, hear or watch, nothing could get you ready for what awaits you. Venice blew my expectations into smithereens and the Venice in my mind’s expectation fell short in comparison of how the real Venice is. One cannot contemplate how beautiful Venice is until one meets Venice in person.
“Surrounded by old architecture makes you feel that this island has come alive out of a history book, in which every chapter is very inspiring. It also shows you how this city-state has risen from obscurity and how it came to dominate trade, politics, culture, and art by becoming a proud and mighty republic. Walking in Venice under the bright light of the sun and walking through it at night under the seductive moonlight makes you feel that they are two different cities – both equally beautiful.
“I spent my days in Venice interacting with as many people as I could, making friends with the other interns and the locals. I enjoyed learning about the rich Italian culture and getting immersed in the Venetian daily life - I even played football with Italian university students at times. I developed a stronger relationship with my camera, carrying it wherever I went, to document my daily endeavours.
“Sometimes I would just wander around and get lost, which helped me cover as much as possible of this remarkable city. The more I wandered in the narrow Venetian alleys, the more I wanted to take pictures to capture its beauty. I tried to organise my time to not miss the sunset in Venice; a great time for reflection and meditation.
“Although I was away from my family and friends, I did not feel lonely. Venice embraced me with her beauty. I wish I could take everything from here back home, especially the tasty cheese and the gondolas! Venice is hard to sum up, being here I wish time could freeze and this trip wouldn’t end. That’s the beauty of Venice, it makes you dream and feel that wishful thinking could overcome reality.”
* Mohamed Al Qemzi has worked at 12 art exhibitions and continuously follows art. A freestyle photographer, he loves capturing moments and believes that when he travels, people travel with him through his camera lens. Motorsports is in his blood and he is on a journey to be a racing driver. Follow his adventures in Venice by following @veniceinterns and #veniceinterns on instagram and twitter, as well as his personal account on Instagram: @al.qemzi
