Edge of Arabia artists Faisal Samra, Ayman Yossri, Abdulnasser Gharem and Manal Al-Dowayan were on hand to meet visitors and sign the exhibition catalogue on Thursday 18th March at Virgin Megastore in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.
Virgin Megastores are the exclusive distributor of the Edge of Arabia fine art catalogue in the UAE.
Edge of Arabia was delighted to have a strong presence at this year’s Art Dubai with a showcase of contemporary Saudi art as well as a panel discussion and seminars by selected artists.
Director Stephen Stapleton said “our approach to Art Dubai is one of conversation; sharing ideas and engaging with the international art world as well as the local arts community.”
Internationally renowned artists Faisal Samra and Abdulnasser Gharem discussed their creative practice and screen some of their video art, while leading Saudi female artist Manal Al-Dowayan spoke on art as a vocation in the Gulf.
Panel discussion Saudi Art Now explored investigate the regions emerging contemporary art scene, opportunities available to arts communities and the challenges for artists based out of the Kingdom. Panellists include Sarah Al-Faour (Chief of Arts and Culture, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority), Abdullah Al-Turki (Creative Director, Edge of Arabia), Bashar Al-Shroogi (Founder, Cuadro Fine Art Gallery) and Hamza Serafi (Founder, Athr Gallery).
Abdullah Al-Turki, Creative Director, said Edge of Arabia’s presence at Art Dubai will “cultivate a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia, so often misrepresented, by showcasing its rich culture and unique talents.”
Edge of Arabia Launches World Tour in Riyadh
The start of 2010 was marked by the inaugural exhibition of Edge of Arabia’s World Tour at SAGIA’s Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) held in Riyadh’s iconic Kingdom Tower under the patronage of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
The ground-breaking group show, comprising of leading artists from Saudi Arabia – one of the world’s youngest cultures for contemporary fine art – was one of the surprise hits at the 53rd Venice Biennale and has now relaunched as a touring exhibition due to show in Dubai, Berlin and Istanbul this year with more locations to be confirmed for 2011-14.
The opening, sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd, was attended by Saudi dignitaries, political leaders and cultural figureheads including the Director of MoMA New York, the director of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, His Excellency Amr Al-Dabbagh, the Governor of SAGIA and HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal.
This significant moment opens a fresh chapter for the project that aims to empower a new generation of creative voices to deepen understanding of the Kingdom’s cultural achievements, while celebrating artistic practice and achievement at the centre of the Islamic world. Edge of Arabia acknowledges the support of both Fady Jameel from Abdul Latif Jameel and Sarah Al-Faour from SAGIA, without whom this event would not have been possible.
Edge of Arabia will participate at Art Dubai from 17-20 March 2010.
The Palazzo Contarini Dal Zaffo Polignac was once the grand palace of the Contarini Dal Zaffo family and later the Polignac’s who showcased parties that were to mark the beginning of European avant-garde music. The Piano Nobile (main floor), overlooking the Grand Canal, is adorned with an array of magnificent early Renaissance tapestries and classic oil paintings of the great icons that once lived there, just the way a Palazzo should be. Every velvet and wooden wall, every master painting, every elaborate gold frame, every piece of authentic furniture and every dusty book tell endless tales and speaks volumes about the great Venetian past.
Today however, the ground floor and courtyard tells similar tales through the artwork and also speak volumes about the culture of a country at the heart of the Islamic world. This private palace that has been closed off to the public for centuries, now has its doors open to an outpour of visitors interested in the creativity of Saudi Arabia and the small body of works that delve deep into the voice of the contemporary Saudi artist.
The exhibition starts with Ahmed Mater’s iconic print and installation of Magnetism. The illusion created of pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba is “Like the sun in the centre while the people are like stars travelling in their orbit of the solar system.” People stop and stare, mesmerised by how something as simple as iron fillings and a magnet can create an image so profound.
At the facade of the palace the gate opens up to our exhibition with Abdulnasser Gharem’s Concrete barrier blocking people from entering with ease. Gharem ‘questions our relationship and trust in the structures and materials that surround us.’
Poetic echoes from Gharem’s video installation of The Path palpitate throughout the exhibition space. Upon entering the dark, secluded room, you watch in isolation the movie of the almost faded figures painting The Path (Al Siraat) across that iconic broken bridge in the Saudi Arabian valley. The only light comes from the small niche where the image of The Path hangs perfectly against a brick wall, as if that architects of the building new that room would one day exhibit this piece.
Through the curtains is the female domain of Shadia and Raja Alem and Maha Malluh. Hanging from the ceiling is Alem’s Negative no more, hundreds and hundreds of negatives of women they knew, woven together in an attempt to ‘shed the cocoon of negatives, misconceptions cast upon us.’ On the walls is Malluh’s photograms, (ironically is a method of photography without the use of a negative) which convey intimate, traditional and modern objects referencing a preservation of cultural heritage in a modern world.
The exhibition has been well received by a generally surprised public. The 53rd Venice Biennale is hosting several pavilions and collateral events of counties from the Middle East including UAE, Palestine, Syria, Morrocco, Iran and many visitors have commented that Edge of Arabia has presented the best display of the Middle East.
Edge of Arabia praised by BBC for focussing on the artists not the National Agenda…click to read on
Arabic Coffee and Incense Introduce Saudi Arabian Art to Venice… click to read on
German political magazine Der Spiegel highlights Edge of Arabia in Venice… click to read on
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