Dubai World III

Artist: Andreas Gursky

Title: Dubai World III

Media: Photograph

Dimensions: 570cm x 383cm

Date: 2008


Artist Biographical Information:
Andreas Gursky is a German photographer. His work is particularly noted for his
photographs of landscapes and architecture, which are frequently taken from an elevated
vantage point. A photograph by Gursky, Rhein II, is the most expensive photograph ever to
come to auction, selling for $4.3 million in 2011. He has exhibited at many major events,
including the Venice Bienniale, and has won a number of photography awards. Although he
has used color almost from the beginning of his professional career, this aspect of his art has
become increasingly significant in recent years.

Artist's Statement: 
Peter Schjeldahl called these pictures "vast," "splashy," "entertaining," and "literally unbelievable."

Background Information: 
This photograph references the controversial “Dubai World.” The World (World Islands) is an artificial archipelago of various small islands constructed in the rough shape of a world map, located 4.0 kilometres (2.5 mi) off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters, and are one of several artificial island developments in Dubai. The World's developer is Nakheel Properties, and the project was originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Islands in the archipelago range from 14,000 to 42,000 square metres (150,000 to 450,000 sq ft) in area.^[1] Distances between islands average 100 metres (330 ft); they are constructed from 321 million cubic metres of sand and 386 million tons of rock.^[1] The entire development is an area that covers 6 by 9 kilometres (3.7 by 5.6 mi) and is surrounded by an oval-shaped breakwater island. Roughly 232 km (144 mi) of shoreline was created. The World's overall development costs were estimated at $14 billion USD in 2005. The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed and dredging began four months later in September 2003. By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, 20 of which were bought in the first four months of 2007. On 10 January 2008 the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago.

How It Relates to the Theme:

I chose this photograph because the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched  they must be felt with the heart. This world is but a canvas to our imagination. We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure.