Art Jameel, a cultural organisation supporting artists and creative communities in the Middle East, has launched a major two-part exhibition exploring how navigation systems and mapping technologies shape contemporary life.
Global Positioning System spans two cities – Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, UAE, from May 9-October 4, and Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from May 20-October 17.
Bringing together more than 40 artists from over 20 countries, the exhibition examines the systems that underpin modern movement, from GPS and transport infrastructure to trade routes, borders and digital mapping technologies. Across video, sculpture and installation, works explore both the precision and failure of these systems in real-world use.
Curated by Indranjan Banerjee and Lucas Morin, the exhibition features key works from the Art Jameel Collection alongside new commissions and international loans. Highlights include Tateishi Tiger’s striking oil on canvas ‘Fuji Hi-Way’ (1992), Subas Tamang’s etching ‘Study of History III’ (2017), and Lawrence Lek’s video work ‘Black Cloud’ (2021), shown here as the header image.
The exhibition explores how navigation is not just technical but political and cultural – shaping how space is organised, experienced and sometimes restricted. Many works also highlight breakdowns in infrastructure and mobility systems, revealing the fragility behind global movement.
While maps remain central to how we understand the world, several works question their authority entirely, exploring what happens when representation and lived reality diverge.
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