In the realm of international art, the Venice Biennale stands as a prestigious platform, a confluence of diverse creative energies from across the globe. From 20 April – 24 November 2024, the 60th International Art Exhibition, set within this historical event, features an evocative showcase from Saudi Arabia – “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song” by Manal AlDowayan. It’s Saudi Arabia’s fourth pavilion to date at the Biennale. SAFE CEO Gérard Lefebvre attended the opening and delivered this report.
Shifting Sands: A Battle Song captures the dynamism of Saudi women during a time of significant cultural change. The installation at the Biennale combines the natural sonic and geological characteristics of the desert with the voices of women to challenge widespread misconceptions about their lives.
AlDowayan, renowned for her contemplative and participatory artworks, has ventured into the sonic landscape for the first time, marrying it with the geological aura of the desert. Her installation is a tapestry woven from the geological features of the arid lands and the vocal expressions of Saudi women, resonating with their dynamic role during a period of profound cultural metamorphosis.
Drawing inspiration from the structures of traditional battle ceremonies – “Alardah” and “Aldahha” – the artist has conceived a space where visitors traverse a labyrinth formed by large-scale silk sculptures, reminiscent of the desert rose. These delicate yet resilient forms, symbolic of femininity and endurance, are marked with texts sourced from local and international dialogues about Saudi women.
The installation features large-scale sculptures shaped like petals, inspired by the desert rose crystal that is prevalent in the sand near Dhahran, the artist’s hometown. These sculptures are adorned with silk-screened texts about Saudi women from both local and international media, presenting a mix of biased views that have often misrepresented and restricted women’s self-expression.
AlDowayan conducted participatory workshops in three major Saudi cities—Al Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh—to give women and girls a chance to voice their opinions and stories. Their expressions are intertwined with the natural “singing sands” of the Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter), a vast desert where dunes emit humming and droning sounds due to shifting sands. AlDowayan has captured these deep earthy vibrations to symbolize the transformative core of her work.
Structured like traditional male battle ceremonies, the installation centres around the vocal and visual self-representations of Saudi women, featuring their songs, speeches, and drawings. Shifting Sands: A Battle Song is both a call for unity and a source of inspiration to foster bravery.
“At the Biennale Arte 2024, I will attempt to represent where I stand in my practice, positioned in the context of my community, my country, and the world,” said AlDowayan. She highlights the ongoing journey of these women as they navigate and redefine the narratives that have historically bound them, anchoring her work in the power of media imagery and its profound impact on self-perception.
She added, “I hope this artwork empowers women to introspect and rely on their community to discover and assert their voices in this evolving historical narrative, much of which remains to be written.”
The Saudi pavilion – a crucible for nurturing creativity
Since its debut at La Biennale di Venezia in 2011, the Saudi pavilion has been a testament to the kingdom’s burgeoning art scene, supported by the Vision 2030 strategic framework and the Quality of Life Program spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture.
The Pavilion serves not only as an exhibition space but as a crucible for nurturing creativity and establishing a dialogue with global audiences.
The Kingdom’s participation is emblematic of an overarching transformation within the Kingdom. It underscores the ministry’s commitment to cultivating the nation’s cultural heritage, with the Visual Arts Commission playing a pivotal role in supporting this artistic movement.
The commission is just one of a number of initiatives having been established by Saudi Arabia’s first ever Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan. Serving also as the Chairman of the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, the Prince is committed to strengthening international cultural relationships.
Dina Amin, Chief Executive Officer of the Visual Arts Commission, who was present for the opening of the exhibition at the Biennale, says the Visual Arts Commission seeks to support and enable this artistic movement by embracing, nurturing, and empowering practitioners of the visual arts in Saudi Arabia: “The Commission aspires to provide a comprehensive strategy for the visual arts sector which will be realized through targeted programs and initiatives celebrating the richness of our history, our present and the hopes and dreams that we have for a vibrant future locally and globally.”
A global platform for local voices
AlDowayan, who has previously engaged audiences in participatory art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, continues to leverage community involvement in her work. This collective approach was central to her New York event, which reflected on change as a product of collective effort, echoing global feminist struggles.
At Venice, her work promises to foster a sense of togetherness among women and celebrate the evolution of the nation’s cultural identity. It is a mission that reflects the collaborative essence of the Kingdom’s creatives and the mosaic of narratives that Saudi Arabia presents to the world.
The artist’s past works have navigated the intersection of ruin, heritage, lineage, and preservation, as seen in her engagement with Hegra, an ancient city now unveiled to the public. Her journey has seen her creations being acquired by prominent institutions worldwide, showcasing the universal relatability of her themes.
Looking Ahead
Manal AlDowayan’s presence at the Biennale, carrying the stories and spirits of her compatriots, marks a significant chapter in the cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the global community. Her exhibit, poised within the historic Arsenale, Sale d’Armi, stands as a testament to the kingdom’s vibrant art and architecture and the unwavering spirit of its women.
Manal AlDowayan: Shifting Sands: A Battle Song, 2024:
- Multimedia installation
- Materials: Tussar silk, ink, acrylic paint
- Variable dimensions
- Sound: Multichannel, 41 minutes and 38 seconds
- From 20 April to 24 November 2024 at the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia at the Arsenale, Sale d’Armi, Venice, Italy.
