Guest Relations exhibition at Jameel Arts Centre rethinks hospitality through surveillance, labor, and geopolitics

The Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai presents "Guest Relations," an exhibition that delves into hospitality frameworks as arenas of sociopolitical conflict, migration, and surveillance. Featuring over 30 artists, the showcase includes Lamya Gargash, whose image of an unoccupied hotel reception in Deira critiques the extravagance of Dubai. Mati Jhurry and Nabla Yahya recreate an unused Emirates crew rest area, part of Jhurry’s performance "Lavatory videos from 'Emirates staff No. 460956'" (2023). Sophie Calle’s "The Hotel, Room 44" (1981–83) captures guests' belongings, while Ala Younis’s "Double-Sided Mirrors" (2023) alludes to Baghdad’s Al Rasheed Hotel. Sung Tieu's video addresses Havana Syndrome at Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and Michael Rakowitz’s video essay reflects on Leonard Cohen’s performances for Israeli soldiers. The exhibition is open until 28 April, probing the ethical boundaries of hospitality amidst occupation and displacement.