We often find it hard to recall something from the past without an aide-mémoire or mnemonic device. It’s this connection that Lest We Forget – Emirati Adornment: Tangible & Intangible exhibition seeks to explore. The show, which is in its third edition, opened at the weekend at Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi.
It features approximately 200 objects lent by collectors and individuals, including jewellery, clothing and weapons, many of which bear the marks that reveal their source and take us back to the time of the Trucial States. Among the exhibits are henna, perfume and cosmetics, which help us understand how creative spirits, skills, aesthetic sensibilities and knowledge have been passed down from one generation to the next.
By giving us the opportunity to touch and experience these items from our past, Lest We Forget helps us interpret our country from an altogether new perspective.
