somewhere in the middle of two
southwest of one and north of the other

The distinctive windcatchers of Bastakiya could be regarded as one of the clearest and oldest references to ‘cultural crossbreeding’ in Dubai with its Persian influence. They are also one of the earliest basic mechanisms in Dubai that were built and expected to fulfill a specific function.
       
Utilising reverse functionality as her methodology, Uster constructed three windcatchers dedicated to Istanbul, Glasgow and Dubai, the cities that have welcomed her and shaped her identity and practice; undressing them from their ‘capturing’ function, and turning them into ‘disseminating’ monuments. The kinetic components of each tower fortifies the idea of influx, transition and even failure if necessary. Furthermore, spreading respectively scent, humidity and sound; these towers house inner mechanisms as well as carrying a ‘vagrant’ look on the exterior.


The Glasgow windcatcher: water, pump, tree, car tyre, expanding foam, wood, steel, plaster
The Istanbul windcatcher: Turkish coffee, wicker, lace, Turkish coffee cup and saucer, wood, steel, plaster
The Dubai windcatcher: Toy cars, Emirati drum, sand, steel,wood, plaster

2012, 320X100X100 cm

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