Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai.

For us, AlNasr Leisureland was our own little Disneyland. It still has its unique style and memories reminiscent of the 80’s. I focused on documenting the place as I “felt it,” reliving my memories and happy days through this project. In my photography, I have focused on capturing special moments with kids and families, and it was pretty wonderful visiting Leisureland again, because it felt like travelling back to a time when I was a kid. We would go on Tuesdays as it was a ‘ladies only’ day, enjoying our time playing by the ice rink with my sister and cousins. We have many memories of those days, like the excitement of saving some cash to get mini troll dolls and Tom & Jerry figures from the gift shop. Now, the place was quiet and empty, especially outdoors where all the rides now seem outdated and continue withering in the heat, though people are still enjoying the ice rink sheltered away from the harsh Summer sun.

Much of the project is about revisiting, and I felt especially moved by the process of photographing my home in Al Jafiliya. It is a neighborhood that I spent my whole life in, but have never thought of photographing before. At the park I observed people having fun with their families. The greenery was encircled by the houses of people I have known in the past. It was an entirely novel experience to consciously document an intimate and familiar place, entangled with personal memories, familiar places and unfamiliar faces, and elapsing time, from a new perspective.