Friday 31 July 2009

Venice Biennale - 6 - collateral events





























In the Saudi Pavilion, tucked down beside the Guggenheim collection, stood there, with an orange aura, the mother of all kitsch elements in the Arab world: The Fake Neon Palm Tree. Controversy on that issue can be discussed in length. But in Venice, surrounded by old stones and a view on the canal, it served its purpose.
The exhibition has the intention to be at the edge of Arabia (its title) and presents confirmed artists who like to push it to another level.
Among others, Manal al-Dowayan portraits women with some male professional tools: "I am an engineer" "I am a truck driver". The message is loud and clear. The photography in black and white is apealling.
Ahmed Mater Aseeri uses two x-rays printed on paper prepared with tea, pomegrenate, coffee and other materials used traditionally on the opening page to a religious text.
The show gives a sensation that contemporary art in Saudi Arabia is moving on the uphill road for more fame.

(link to the website : edge of arabia)

5 comments:

makram said...

"Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music and literature. The meaning of art is explored in a branch of philosophy known
as aesthetics."


Would all presented appeal to you immaterial if they appealed to others or are you showing the opposing sides and you are being impartial and not judgmental?

sarah said...

Today our notion of aesthetics has changed through out time and the history of artists who have pushed the limit of the acceptable to another realm.
In this blog, I would like to present art in the Arab world first, then what pleases my arab eyes.
And in the Saudi expo, I did like the effort, the thought process behind it.
For example: the xray art: I would not put it on my walls. But the artist tries to push the Saudi society into another level, i presume. He uses a technique to make the paper beautiful as if it was a coran, then he puts it around an xray... Not bad...

Unknown said...

thank you for the wonder ful picture.

i understand why you thought of me.
the pictures are amazing and i love her work.i am happy to see that they exposed the one i have.
i am looking forward to getting others.
see you soon

The PrettyGreenBullet Store said...

unfortunately it is moving up everywhere but here, where we seem to be slightly ebbing and flowing in a pool of almost stagnant water. we need a revolution.

sarah said...

It is an interesting vision to see kuwait as stagnant waters. Why do we have to see the process as a rat race, who gets there first?
You need a tsunami, or a tornado but quiet and subtle waters might be a more constructive way to evolve.
Talent is available, by locals and expats. They are each working at their own pace within their own frame. And you are one of them.
The revolution has started. We might not see the effects and the returns as we wish.
But do you think we can go back to an art world in Kuwait with only camels and teapots on canvas?