Faraj Daham (1956 – Qatar)

Reason is no longer the same, as it used to be a support to initiate ideas. Experience teaches us the truth of things is to reach an unseen world that guides us to an algebraic direction.
— Michael Foucault.

Precaution (Al-Ehteraz) is a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. An abrupt event that has dismantled the world’s immunity.

Hope has become intertwined with pharmaceutical politics and a means to save the world’s population.  Thus, the issue becomes a façade that appears to affect our notions of culture and our social environment.

Precaution and prudence take the form of different garments; a leather shield, silver metal chains, or a leather veil attached to the neck or hand, containing a roll or a piece of paper that is difficult to decipher.  Our modern translation of precaution in this time of a global pandemic takes the form of mask, gloves and other means of protection from a force we cannot see or understand.

Precaution also results in restriction, control and compulsion.  Its presence causes us to oscillate between our trusted understanding ot the old doctrines, contrasting with theories of contemporary thought.  When mixed together, this action brings a new understanding of precautionary policy concerns – beginning with practices of mass internal monitoring and external tracking – leading us to investigate our accepted ideas of knowledge and memory.  With these changes we call into question all of our actions and tribulation, setting a new course to self-morality.

Will we be able to return to a world without conditions or restraints and regain some sense of normalisation of our surroundings?

Faraj Daham is a Postwar & Contemporary artist, his work has been exhibited in several key galleries and museums, including the Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art.  He has also been featured in articles for the ArtDaily, ARTFORUM and ArtLyst, and most recently in the Brooklyn Rail Newspaper.