Venice Biennale 2022: A Cultural Extravaganza
The Venice Biennale is the most anticipated and debated event in the international art scene. This year’s edition, “Foreigners Everywhere,” curated by Adriano Pedroso from Brazil, showcases 331 artists and 86 nations, including four Gulf countries, Lebanon, and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Pavilion at Venice echoes with the voices of women chanting in unison this year. “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song,” created by Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan, features hundreds of women from across the Kingdom. The exhibition aims to highlight the evolving role of women in Saudi Arabia and challenge media narratives. The powerful chorus of women chanting traditional battle songs creates a sense of strength and resilience, symbolized by desert roses filled with writing and drawings by the Saudi female participants.
UAE
Emirati artist Abdullah Al-Saadi presents “Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia” at the National Pavilion of the UAE. The introspective show includes drawings, sculptures, paintings, and installations inspired by Al-Saadi’s travels around his homeland. Visitors will be treated to maps and scrolls in colorful traditional chests, presented by actors from the UAE.
Qatar
While Qatar does not have a national pavilion at the Biennale, it is showcasing “Your Ghosts Are Mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices.” The group show features films by artists from across the Arab world, Africa, and South Asia, backed by the Doha Film Institute.
Egypt
Wael Shawky’s “Drama 1882” at Egypt’s national pavilion has been a popular attraction. The 45-minute film explores Egypt’s nationalist Urabi revolution in the late 19th century, blending fact, fiction, and fable. Shawky’s work delves into national, religious, and artistic identity, connecting history to drama.
Lebanon
Lebanese artist Mounira Al-Solh’s installation “A Dance with Her Myth” transports viewers through ancient Phoenicia. Inspired by the tale of Europa, the piece pays homage to Lebanon’s multicultural heritage. In the center is an unfinished boat symbolizing the challenges women still face today.
Oman
Oman’s exhibition “Malath – Haven” features work from five Omani contemporary artists, reflecting both traditional and contemporary life in Oman. The exhibition serves as a sanctuary for visitors, showcasing the richness of intercultural dialogue in the country.