**Titular:** “AlUla’s Art Shines at Venice Biennale”

**Intro:**
AlUla’s cultural legacy takes center stage at the 2024 Venice Biennale with the exhibition *“Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla.”* Featuring debut works by Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell, the showcase merges monumental land art with AlUla’s desert landscape. A panel discussion highlighted the region’s role as a future global art destination, blending history, nature, and contemporary creativity.

**Factbox:**
**Event:** Venice Biennale 2024
**Dates:** April 16–30
**Location:** Venice, Italy
**Highlights:** Debut of Wadi AlFann commissions by 5 global artists; panel with Ahmed Mater, curator Marcello Dantas, and artist Dana Awartani.
**Wadi AlFann:** Future 65 km² desert site for permanent land art. *(48 words)*

**AlUla Shines at Venice Biennale with Groundbreaking Exhibition “Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann”**

The **Venice Biennale 2024** has become a stage for AlUla’s cultural renaissance, as the Saudi Arabian governorate takes center stage with its exhibition *“Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla”* (April 16–30). This immersive showcase highlights AlUla’s unique fusion of natural beauty, ancient heritage, and cutting-edge contemporary art, positioning it as a future epicenter of global land art.

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### **A New Chapter for Land Art: Wadi AlFann’s Commissioned Artists**
The exhibition’s crown jewel is the debut of artworks by **five visionary artists** commissioned for **Wadi AlFann** (“Valley of the Arts”), a monumental desert landscape in AlUla set to become the world’s largest permanent outdoor gallery. The artists reimagine the desert as both muse and medium:

– **Manal AlDowayan** (Saudi Arabia): Known for her exploration of collective memory, AlDowayan’s work intertwines AlUla’s archaeological legacy with contemporary narratives.
– **Agnes Denes** (Hungary/USA): A pioneer of ecological art, Denes brings her iconic environmental interventions to the desert, challenging perceptions of sustainability.
– **Michael Heizer** (USA): The earth art legend, famed for *“City”* in Nevada, scales his monumental geometric forms to AlUla’s vast terrain.
– **Ahmed Mater** (Saudi Arabia): His medically infused symbolism merges with desert landscapes, reflecting on humanity’s relationship with nature.
– **James Turrell** (USA): The master of light and perception transforms AlUla’s skies into immersive celestial canvases.

*“These artists don’t just create *in* the landscape—they dialogue *with* it,”* remarked curator **Marcello Dantas** during the exhibition’s panel discussion.

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### **Art in the Desert: Insights from the Panel Discussion**
A thought-provoking panel moderated by **Annette Gibbons-Warren** (Cultural Planning Director, RCU) delved into the challenges and philosophies of creating art in AlUla’s desert. Key themes emerged:

– **Nature as Collaborator**: Saudi artist **Dana Awartani** emphasized the need to “listen to the land,” drawing inspiration from ancient Nabataean craftsmanship.
– **Time and Legacy**: Ahmed Mater noted that desert art requires “patience—the desert itself is a archive of millennia, and our works must resonate beyond our lifetimes.”
– **Cultural Crossroads**: Marcello Dantas highlighted AlUla’s role as a “bridge between civilizations, past and future,” where art becomes a universal language.

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### **Wadi AlFann: A Vision for the Future**
Spanning **65 square kilometers**, Wadi AlFann is more than a gallery—it’s a bold reimagining of art’s role in society. By 2035, the site will house over 30 permanent installations, inviting global artists to respond to the desert’s stark beauty and historical depth.

**Why It Matters**:
– **Cultural Preservation**: The project intertwines contemporary art with AlUla’s 7,000-year heritage, from rock art to Hegra’s tombs.
– **Sustainable Tourism**: By positioning AlUla as a cultural destination, Wadi AlFann diversifies Saudi Arabia’s economy while fostering eco-conscious travel.
– **Global Dialogue**: As curator Dantas stated, *“This is not just Saudi Arabia’s story—it’s a invitation to the world to co-create in a space where earth and sky collide.”*

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**Final Thoughts**
The Venice Biennale exhibition is a tantalizing preview of Wadi AlFann’s potential to redefine land art on a planetary scale. For art lovers and adventurers alike, AlUla is poised to become a pilgrimage site where ancient whispers meet avant-garde visions.

*Plan Your Journey*: Wadi AlFann’s first installations will open to the public in late 2024. Follow @ExperienceAlUla for updates on this transformative cultural endeavor.

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**Hashtags**: #AlUla #WadiAlFann #VeniceBiennale #LandArt #SaudiCulture
**SEO Keywords**: AlUla art exhibition, Wadi AlFann Venice Biennale, land art Saudi Arabia, contemporary art destinations, AlUla tourism.

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**FAQs: Venice Biennale Exhibition “Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla”**

1. **When and where is the Venice Biennale exhibition featuring Wadi AlFann artists taking place?**
The exhibition runs from April 16–30, 2024, at the Venice Biennale, showcasing AlUla’s cultural heritage through works by Wadi AlFann’s commissioned artists in a dedicated special exhibition.

2. **What is the primary goal of the “Journeys in Land Art” exhibition?**
It aims to highlight AlUla’s cultural and natural diversity while introducing global audiences to Wadi AlFann, a future desert-based hub for monumental, permanent land art installations.

3. **Which artists are debuting works at the Venice Biennale for Wadi AlFann?**
The featured artists are Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell, each presenting site-responsive works tied to AlUla’s desert landscape.

4. **What themes are explored in the exhibited artworks?**
The works explore intersections of art, nature, and civilization, reflecting AlUla’s historical significance as a crossroads of trade, culture, and spirituality across millennia.

5. **Who participated in the panel discussion at the Venice Biennale?**
Panelists included artist Ahmed Mater, Desert X AlUla curator Marcello Dantas, and Saudi artist Dana Awartani, moderated by Annette Gibbons-Warren of the Royal Commission for AlUla.

6. **What topics were discussed during the exhibition’s panel session?**
The discussion focused on challenges and inspirations of creating art in natural landscapes, AlUla’s role in global land art, and balancing preservation with contemporary expression.

7. **Why is AlUla’s landscape significant to this project?**
AlUla’s desert environment, with its dramatic geological formations and archaeological heritage, serves as both muse and canvas for large-scale, permanent artworks addressing timeless human-nature dialogues.

8. **What is Wadi AlFann’s long-term vision?**
Wadi AlFann aims to become a leading global cultural destination, spanning 65 km² in AlUla, to display monumental land art that engages with the region’s environment and history.

9. **How can visitors experience Wadi AlFann’s artworks after the Venice Biennale?**
The commissioned works will be permanently installed in AlUla, with phased openings from 2025 onward, accessible via curated tours highlighting the desert’s artistic and historical layers.

10. **How does this exhibition align with Saudi Arabia’s cultural initiatives?**
It supports Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy through cultural tourism, positioning AlUla as a global arts destination while preserving its ecological and historical integrity.

11. **What distinguishes Wadi AlFann from other land art destinations?**
Its scale (65 km²), integration of cross-cultural perspectives, and focus on permanence set it apart, inviting artists to engage deeply with AlUla’s environment and ancestral narratives.

12. **How were the five commissioned artists selected for Wadi AlFann?**
Artists were chosen for their pioneering contributions to land art and ability to reinterpret AlUla’s landscape through innovative, site-specific installations that resonate globally.

13. **Does Wadi AlFann prioritize sustainability in its development?**
Yes, the project emphasizes eco-sensitive practices, working with artists and planners to minimize environmental impact while fostering dialogue about sustainability in art and tourism.

14. **What role does the Royal Commission for AlUla play in this initiative?**
It oversees Wadi AlFann’s development, ensuring alignment with broader goals to transform AlUla into a cultural nexus through heritage preservation and contemporary creative expression.

15. **Will future editions of the exhibition feature new artists?**
Wadi AlFann plans to commission additional artists over time, expanding its collection to reflect diverse global voices while deepening connections to AlUla’s unique context.

**LLAMADO A LA ACCIÓN (CTA)**
¡No te pierdas la oportunidad de explorar la fusión entre arte y naturaleza en *Wadi AlFann*! Si estás en Venecia, visita la exposición antes del 30 de abril. Si no, sigue las actualizaciones sobre este proyecto revolucionario en [Enlace a Wadi AlFann] y comienza a planificar tu viaje futuro a AlUla, donde el arte y el paisaje desértico te esperan para una experiencia transformadora. ¡Comparte este hito cultural con el mundo usando #WadiAlFann y únete a la conversación global sobre arte y patrimonio!

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**CONCLUSIÓN**
La participación de AlUla en la Bienal de Venecia marca un paso crucial en su posicionamiento como epicentro cultural global. Al llevar las obras de *Wadi AlFann* a un escenario internacional, no solo se celebra la riqueza natural e histórica de la región, sino que se reafirma su papel como puente entre tradición y vanguardia. Los artistas Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater y James Turrell, junto con las reflexiones del panel, demuestran cómo el arte puede dialogar con la tierra y trascender fronteras. Este es solo el inicio de un legado que promete inspirar a generaciones futuras.

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**AGRADECIMIENTO**
Agradecemos profundamente a los artistas, curadores y panelistas por su visión y dedicación en llevar la esencia de AlUla al mundo. Un reconocimiento especial a la *Comisión Real para AlUla* y a Marcello Dantas de *Desert X AlUla* por su liderazgo en este proyecto, así como a la Bienal de Venecia por ser plataforma de este diálogo cultural. Finalmente, gracias a ti, nuestro público, por ser parte de esta travesía artística. ¡Sigamos construyendo juntos un futuro donde el arte y la naturaleza se entrelacen! 🌍✨

[Incluir logos o enlaces a redes sociales de la Comisión Real para AlUla y Wadi AlFann].