Gulf Insider
Saudi artist Dana Awartani represents the national pavilion of Saudi Arabia at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, which kicked off in Venice, Italy. Dana’s work titled ‘May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones,’ was curated by Antonia Carver, with Hafsa Alkhudairi as assistant curator. The work draws on geometric art forms and mosaic traditions, and is the result of in-depth research into places across the Arab world that have been subjected to damage in recent years, referencing 23 places recognized by international bodies that seek to preserve threatened legacies. The installation encompasses the entire floor of the pavilion, presenting mosaic patterns whose shared motifs and traditions reflect common cultures spanning successive historical periods. It was created over nearly 30,000 artisan hours within a collaborative “many hands” process based on participation in production and the transmission of collective skill and knowledge. The artist worked with 32 artisans at a studio site outside Riyadh, using four differently hued clay earths from distinct geographies across the Kingdom to create over 29,000 sunbaked clay earth bricks without binding agents. CEO of Visual Arts Commission Dina Amin said: “The national pavilion of Saudi Arabia in Venice creates […]
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