The commercial heart of Dubai is a treasure trove of architectural illusion. I deliberately create layers of fantasy in this image to symbolize the freedom of expression that motivates this unique place. I anchor the image with a grove of palm trees at the bottom of the frame to give this image its sense of place. In the middle of the frame, I place a structure that evokes Victorian India, a nod to the millions of Indians who live and work here. The entire upper half of the frame is filled with modern commercial architecture that seems utterly unreal. Buildings rise at angles to each other, defying reality. Facades project illusions — we can’t quite make sense out of what we see. Such is the nature of this remarkable city that consistently confounds our expectations.