In Venice? Don't Miss Out on RHIZOMA > #Saudi Generation in Waiting @edgeofarabia > Bringing together 24 Young and Emerging Saudi Artists > May 29th

"Do not Judge Me" by Eiman Elgibreen

Edge of Arabia, with support from Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives, are proud to return to the Biennale di Venezia with a Collateral Event titled Rhizoma (Generation in Waiting).

Curated by London-based art critic and independent curator Sara Raza and Saudi-based poet, curator and artist Ashraf Fayadh, Rhizoma draws its inspiration from an emerging younger generation of Saudi artists, whose works embrace multiplicity alongside new artistic vocabularies in technology, science and natural philosophy. The exhibition’s premise draws from the actual rhizoma, the ancient Greek word for the underground root of a plant that shoots its roots both horizontally and vertically, as a metaphor for a bold new generation of artists who are challenging the force of gravity through inspiring projects.

"Documenting The Undocumented" by Huda Beydoun

"Does a Face Make a Difference" Installation by Eiman Eligibreen

"Sidana" Installation by Basmah Felemban

"Widadi" by Dana Awartani

Lead curator Sara Raza explains: “Rhizoma is a curatorial project with infinite possibilities to form multiple endings and create new beginnings. The nature of Saudi Arabia’s art production is comparable to an actual rhizoma. There is an exciting emerging art scene inside Saudi Arabia that exists at the grassroots and it is purposefully making its ascent upwards. These artists are part of a subterranean network, independent and distinctive in their styles and approach, technologically astute, experimental and possess the ability to break away from the mainstream.”

  Majed (Still from Takki Trailer) Produced by Cinema of Arabia & UTURN

Telfaz11

Ashraf Fayadh elaborates: “We aim to provide a clear vision of the radical transformation in Saudi art, which is now more affiliated with its roots, to the real culture represented by the awareness of the different living conditions in Saudi Arabia. This awareness is creating a strong message from a new generation of artists to formulate art in their own way.”

The exhibition will show the works of the following artists—Abdulkarim Qassem, Abdullah Alothman, Ahaad Alamoudi, Ahmad Angawi, Basmah Felemban, Batool Alshomrani, Dana Awrtani, Eiman Elgibreen, Eyad Maghazil, Heba Abed, Huda Beydoun, Majid Althobaity, Mala’a Al-Amoudi, Mohammad Makki, Nasser Salem, Nora A. Almazrooa, Nouf Alhimiary, Omamah AlSadiq, Ramy Alqthamy, Saeed Salem, Sami Al-Turki, Sarah AbuAbdallah, Sarah Al Abdali, Shaweesh—many of whom are creating new work specifically for the exhibition. Works present in the exhibition explore multiplicity in both concept and execution deployed via an array of mediums such as new media practices and the employment of internet and video art, photography, sculpture, textiles, installation among others. Highlights including several site-specific works that subvert geometric spatial dynamics by artists and designers Sarah Al Abdali and Basmah Felemban; and special projects by cross-platform YouTube sensations TelFaz 11 and UTurn, who will be collaborating with artists to create new realities that reach peer-group audiences in their millions. In addition, a special rhizomatic structure will be especially designed and built for the exhibition to stage several art works and will function as an extended metaphor for non-linear identities which Rhizoma promotes.

Edge of Arabia founders Ahmed Mater and Abdulnasser Gharem will also be present in the exhibition through collaborations with selected artists as part of their foundations, Ibn Aseer Foundation and Amen Art Foundation, respectively.

Accompanying the project a series of artist talks and in-conversations will be streamed via the internet, cross-connecting the exhibition with audiences in Saudi Arabia and internationally. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook shall also serve as extensions of the project, further soliciting public engagement and dialogue. A full catalogue will accompany the exhibition including a curatorial essay by Sara Raza, poems and an Instagram diary by Ashraf Fayadh and interviews amongst leading artists and cultural practitioners inside and outside of Saudi Arabia.