Satellite Voices

Dubai

Sara Naim

June 7, 2011

We look at the work of the young photographer who has recently made her return to the city

• Text by Simone Sebastian

Fresh from a stint at Ryan McGinley's studios in New York, Sara Naim takes Satellite Voices on a photographic expedition that charts the honest, the everyday and the high concept. 

Satellite Voices: Describe your photographic style in five potent words?
Sara Naim: Descriptive, photographic, stylistic, potent, wordless

SV: What are some of your favourite moments to capture on film?
Sara Naim: People with their eyes closed, as they're dreaming, reflecting, meditating, blinking, expressing. It's becomes really personal.

SV : In your "Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata" series, you took macro shots of milk as it vibrated to Beethoven's classic symphony. Do you involve music in other parts of your process?
Sara Naim: Just as company while I shoot maybe.

SV: You've recently returned to Dubai after living in London and New York. As someone who grew up in this city, what surprises you about the way it has changed?
Sara Naim: A lot has grown but nothing's changed. Buildings have replaced sand, but the personality of the city, the mentality of the people, Dubai's lifestyle, it hasn't progressed.

SV: On your tumblr you record "fifteen fucking fotos for every filthy friday" - what are you doing this filthy Friday?
Sara Naim : My nights in Dubai haven't been very filthy, it's too clean here for filth! I’ll actually be in Lebanon...