INSTALLATION
AMBIGUITY, 2005
Video installation
Video installation "Ambiguity “Features two characters portrayed by the artist, with one wearing a dishdasha and the other attired in Western dress. Projected onto a large screen, the characters converse in front of an actual art installation comprising a table and chairs. Although the piece mirrors similar themes to those in “New Identity”, it goes further by resonating with issues signifying cultural paradoxes that force the individual to divide, conceal and “re-represent” various aspects of his identity based on his receiving audience and the space or domain in which he/she is present. On a metaphysical level, Meer perceives this paradox as a state of confusion between desire and action, based on possessing the tools of happiness whilst being uninterested, or unable, to employ them. He foresees these desires diminishing to an extent that exhausts the soul and the body while the tools of “desire/happiness” in life vanish.
BETWEEN WORLDS, 2008
Video installation
When you realize the world around, you find it very tiny, and you - as a human - narrow it, because of your surroundings and believes. When you born in certain culture or religion, you only think inside that box and don’t think beyond it, like a book you only read what it written on it. Human has the choice to think and imagine within themselves, but don’t have a choice to question!
THE DREAM, 2001
Video installation
A large difference distinguishes us, marks our actions in vigilance rather in the dream. Even with the fact that in vigilance, we are always able to do more various actions and behaviors. But this is being unilaterally done. It is the unilateral benefit of things and for its sake, we reconcile with reality. In the dream only, we enjoy maximum freedom to interact with life and its implications with child innocence. And there, we get to know more about ourselves, as in our dream, we disengage ourselves away from the shackles of time and place. To face the fantasy obsession which we move in to face the sheer unknown mad realities. As we realize that we were heading to and coming from the unknown. This what indulges us into a contrasting situation between beauty and terror. Fiction and reality. Present and past. Really we, in our dreams are the sons of the reality. The reality of scare, panic and death. The fact of unknown.
NEW IDENTITY, 2004
Video installation, 12 Lightboxes
Two video projection, 2 minutes
Because the march of the techno-economic revolution has greatly accelerated through the last two decades, we are today found to be trapped in turmoil of globalization imposed by superpowers and the ailed transcontinental companies. The latter have finally found their opportunity to dominate the rest of the people imposing their concepts and their style of living as the essential requirements for human survival in his era.
Who could blame his kids when they ask for a “happy meal” or for “chicken nuggets”? Who could prevent them from being impressed by Mickey Mouse and the Lion King? Who could deny the desire of his daughter to obtain a Barbie doll?
In, this way the unilaterally imposed globalization occupies the collective memory erases all human heritage accumulated over the history and denies the need for diversity as an enrichment of identity.
The methods applied to impose such globalization vary from frank aggression on one side (wars abusing terms like freedom, justice, and democracy), to hidden, disguised and occult aggression on the other side (media, public inclinations, etc).
We are not against globalization as a principle; actually, we are in need of it when based on mutual benefits, on legal diversity and on equality among people. What we are really against is any idea or movement that aims to erase identity, culture, and heritage. We refuse to be the victims of the new Yankees.
REFLECTION FROM THE MEMORY, 2009
Video installation
“Reflection from memories” is an installation, and a series of photographs showing the sense of life in Oman in the period of sixties and seventies. A big transition happened in the region through that decade; the discovery of Oil brought new hope and life to the people. Most of the Omani returned back to their home from abroad, some of them brought their memories with them and some of them left them behind. The Architecture of the city changed, people moved to new arias and left their old houses behind. The modernity has come, and the transition is happening, but with no control. Most of the cities in the aria lost there original soul, in my Work I’m trying to send a message to the people to maintain what’s left from their past.
When I entered my grandfather's house a few years ago I found nothing but only broken walls and windows. The emptiness of the house derived me to go back to the memory of my family. Then I started creating a series of photographs inspired by the soul of our old House.
THE REFLECTION, 2006
Video installation
“The Reflection” is a video installation showing the sense of life in Oman in the period of sixties and seventies. A big transition happened in the region through that decade; the discovery of Oil brought new hope and life to the people. Most of the Omani returned back to their home from abroad, some of them brought their memories with them and some of them left them behind. The Architecture of the city changed, people moved to new arias and left their old houses behind. The modernity has come, and the transition is happening, but with no control. Most of the cities in the aria lost there original soul, in my Work I’m trying to send a message to the people to maintain what’s left from their past.When I entered my grandfather's house a few years ago I found nothing but only broken walls and windows.
UNDER THE WATER, 2004
Video installation
My work is a contemplation and search in the spiritual domain and the magic rituals bequeathed to us from ancient times and has established itself profoundly in our society. My work relates to the Levant , its beliefs and legends. It narrates my pondering and questioning of death, the mortality of man and examine other local prevalent rituals. Since my childhood, here in Oman, I have always thought and wondered about the powerful effects these mysterious legends have in controlling and directing the course of man’s life.
THE OIL CAMP, 2006
Video installation and documentary images
Residents of a Muscat neighborhood are afflicted by a nearby oil refinery. Hassan Meer contra poses statements of the residents with those of the refinery’s management representatives.
“Oil Camp 2006”, previewed at the Sharjah Biennale, deals with environmental issues. Meer lived in an area near the oil camps in Oman and witnessed family members passing away while wondering if a correlation could be established between the oil camps and the sudden rise of cancer rates He interviewed two representatives who worked for the refinery, and the piece seeks to raise awareness of the need to document global change and its side effects" - Aisha Stoby, curator.
REFLECTION OF THE OTHER, 2017
Installation
The installation immerses the audience in the world of the Circle of Experimental Art giving a privileged access to the existing connections between the artist and the way people view, consider and regard each other. Installation reflects a visualisation or expression of the other. These representations are excerpts of the artist's impression, feelings, perception and connection.
When spaces go narrow and when we look attentively into the universe, we realize that there are causes for the existence of man in life. But as we experience life contradictions and tragedies, we come to know that they are against the human balance and normal lifestyle. Man affords to think over his destiny and wonder on the secret behind his being and position in that temporary universe. Are these contradictions and tragedies to put man to test; or for another existential rationales? When we consider the lack of harmony diffused among people, we realize how ugliness this human journey is which is full of contradictions and historical and religious aggregation that put an end to the simplest necessities of human happiness. The conflict of man versus self is a big trap; as that conflict is an inevitable consequence of man’s feeling of weakness and fear; as long as man has no knowledge of his being and the purpose of his being and feels weakness against a hidden power that controls his fate.
TRAP, 2018
Installation
PATH OF LIFE, 2014
Installation
My work is a contemplation and search in the spiritual domain and the magic rituals bequeathed to us from ancient times and has established itself profoundly in our society. My work relates to the Levant , its beliefs and legends. It narrates my pondering and questioning of death, the mortality of man and examine other local prevalent rituals. Since my childhood, here in Oman, I have always thought and wondered about the powerful effects these mysterious legends have in controlling and directing the course of man’s life.
THE CUBE, 2014
Video installation
"The Cube" installation was inspired by the Muʻallaqāt - a group of seven long Arabic poems that are considered the best work of pre-Islamic Arabia, which speaks about The Suspended Odes or The Hanging Poems, that were hung on or in the Kaaba at Mecca
