AlUla, April 28, 2024, The Venice Biennale, taking place from April 16 to 30, is currently showcasing a special exhibition featuring works by Wadi AlFann artists from AlUla Governorate. Titled “Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla,” this exhibition aims to spotlight the cultural and natural diversity of the governorate.
The focal point of the exhibition is the debut of artworks created by five commissioned artists for Wadi AlFann: Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell. These artists have brought their unique perspectives to the project, showcasing the intersection of art and nature in AlUla.
A panel discussion was held concurrently with the exhibition, featuring Ahmed Mater, curator Marcello Dantas of Desert X AlUla, and Saudi artist Dana Awartani. The discussion, moderated by Annette Gibbons-Warren, the Cultural Planning Director at the Royal Commission for AlUla, delved into the process of creating art in a natural setting. AlUla's desert landscape, steeped in historical significance, provided a backdrop for exploring themes of art, nature, and civilization.
Wadi AlFann is poised to become a prominent global cultural destination for contemporary artists, with a vision of hosting era-defining artworks by renowned artists from around the world. This initiative encompasses a vast site in the AlUla desert, spanning 65 square kilometers, where these artworks will be permanently displayed, adding to the region's allure as a hub for artistic exploration and expression.
