Saudi Pavilion at Biennale Arte 2024 Reveals Manal AlDowayan’s Installation
In an exciting announcement, the Saudi pavilion at Biennale Arte 2024 in Venice has unveiled the name of artist Manal AlDowayan’s installation as “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song.” This multimedia artwork is a powerful reflection of the evolving role of women in Saudi Arabia.
AlDowayan expressed, “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song is a call for solidarity, representing women in and from Saudi Arabia on a global scale. It is a rallying cry to claim our identity as we navigate through physical spaces and redefine the narratives that have shaped us.”
The artwork will be revealed during the opening week of the Biennale on April 16. It is the culmination of three workshops conducted by the artist in Alkhobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh in January, where over 1,000 women participated to contribute to the pavilion’s upcoming work.
Participants engaged in group singing sessions and reflections on visibility and invisibility in international media. They also shared their observations of each other through writing and illustrations, creating a profound connection.
AlDowayan shared, “For this artwork, I have delved into my community of women to explore the untold histories and transformative moments that deserve recognition.”
The recorded singing, drawings, and texts from the workshops will be integrated into “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song,” allowing the voices of the participants to resonate on the global stage in Venice.
An all-female team of curators, including Jessica Cerasi, Maya El-Khalil, and assistant curator Shadin AlBulaihed, are collaborating with AlDowayan on her installation for the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia at the prestigious 60th Venice Biennale.