Thursday, April 18, 2024
The “Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla” exhibition is being featured at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. This event highlights the inaugural group of artists selected for Wadi AlFann, an emerging hub for contemporary art. The exhibition includes various artistic presentations such as renders, drawings, maquettes, and interviews. Notably, it features contributions from Manal AlDowayan, Saudi Arabia’s representative at the 2024 Biennale, who has curated drawings from community-driven workshops across AlUla. Additionally, the event showcases studies by Ahmed Mater and James Turrell. Guided tours are scheduled for the dates of April 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th, and 27th.
Wadi AlFann, translating to ‘Valley of the Arts,’ is set to become a prominent cultural destination for modern art on a global scale. This site, covering 65 square kilometers in the historic and culturally rich desert region of AlUla, northwest Saudi Arabia, promises to be a groundbreaking addition to the art world. The first artists crafting unique, large-scale works tailored to this landscape include Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell.
This initiative is part of a broader program that will continue to introduce new commissions, with more artists to be revealed soon. The commissioned works are deeply influenced by the local landscape and heritage, mirroring AlUla’s dramatic scenery, geological features, and rich ecosystems. These artworks are designed to harmonize with the breathtaking natural backdrops of sandstone cliffs and canyons.
In Venice, the exhibition presents Ahmed Mater’s early concepts for his project titled Ashab Al-Lal, an installation inspired by the intellectual achievements of the Islamic Golden Age. This piece aims to bridge the realms of imagination and reality, creating an optical illusion within the dunes.
James Turrell, an iconic figure in the Light and Space movement, unveils his preliminary design for his project at Wadi AlFann. His work continues to explore the essence of perception, light, and space, planning to integrate these elements into the canyon’s landscape through tunnels and staircases.
The exhibition also features works from Manal AlDowayan’s workshops in AlUla, displaying over 700 drawings that depict the personal narratives of the participants. These drawings, varying from depictions of local homes to abstract expressions, will be permanently incorporated into AlDowayan’s project, Oasis of Stories, which is a maze-like installation inspired by the historical architecture of AlUla’s Old Town.
Visitors to the exhibition can also gain insights from interviews with the featured artists, offering a peek into their creative processes and intentions for their upcoming installations. This event serves as a prelude to the official opening of Wadi AlFann.
Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts and Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, expresses enthusiasm about introducing Wadi AlFann at Venice. She highlights the project’s significance in AlUla’s cultural strategy and looks forward to its realization.
The exhibition runs from April 16th to 30th, with a private preview on the morning of the 16th, followed by general viewing hours until the end of the month. Special programs include a discussion on April 19th about the role of books in public art, featuring Manal AlDowayan and U.S. artist Mark Dion, and guided tours are available on select dates.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
