VENICE, Italy, 19th May 2023 (WAM) – Sheikh Salem Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAE’s Minister of Culture and Youth, inaugurated Aridly Abundant, celebrating the National Pavilion UAE’s twelfth exhibition at the La Biennale Di Venezia International Art and Architecture Exhibitions, and the fifth participation at the International Architecture Exhibition. Curated by Faysal Tabbarah, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Architecture
at the College of Architecture, Art and Design at American University of Sharjah, Aridly Abundant will transform the pavilion’s space at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia into an environment that exhibits the spatial, material, and tactical qualities of arid environments, creating a backdrop for architectural provocations suited for future global arid contexts; thus, responding to the Biennale Architettura 2023’s theme, ‘’The Laboratory of the Future''. The exhibition will consider how arid environments can be spaces of abundance by exploring architectural possibilities within arid landscapes in the UAE’s desert plateau, wadis, and coastal plains within Al Hajar Mountain range and its environment.
Minister Al Qassimi highlighted that his presence at the venue shows his support for the National Pavilion UAE’s, a very important art and cultural platform. It also illustrates how much importance the UAE pays to its creators and the fact that the Venice Biennale is a very significant platform for the UAE. It shows the support of both the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the nation for the exhibition.
Minister Al Qassimi stated: “2023 marks the 12th participation for UAE in the Venice Biennale, with every passing year our presence has only gotten stronger. This exhibition is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to the creative fields. It also showcases how the leadership is committed to developing a strong creative movement in the country and promotes art and culture locally, regionally and globally. Supporting the artists and architects and showcasing their work at prestigious international platforms also goes to show the evolution of the local creative scene in the UAE. Our homegrown talent is in step with international standards and has been winning appreciation globally.”
The UAE has participated in the International Art Exhibition since 2009 and the International Architecture Exhibition since 2014. In 2013, the UAE Government signed a historic agreement for the establishment of a permanent national pavilion in the Arsenale – Sale d’Armi.
Minister Al Qassimi commented: “The UAE’s permanent presence at the Arsenale – Sale d’Armi is one of the main venues of the Venice Biennale. It’s a matter of great pride for the UAE to be a part of this prestigious pavilion and showcase the best of its architectural creations to an international audience. UAE's award-winning entry Wetland at La Biennale Architettura 2021 (Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the 2021) explored the relationship between waste and production on a local and global scale. The large-scale prototype structure created from an innovative, environmentally friendly cement was inspired by traditional sabkhas or salt flats.”
Al Qassimi added: “La Biennale di Venezia is not just a great platform for promoting UAE’s homegrown talent but also a platform to promote our cultural and artistic values. Architecture is an essential element of culture that speaks volumes about a civilization, its past, present, and the future. This facet is beautifully captured in the UAE’s 2023 exhibit entitled Aridly Abundant that draws from the past and builds for the future. It also contributes to strengthening the bilateral ties between UAE and Italy.
Our presence at the Arsenale is an important aspect of our cultural diplomacy, an essential tool in the current global situation. Cultural diplomacy can go a long way in breaking barriers to communication and has the ability to foster long-term peace and stability in the world.”
Drawing international attention to the life in arid and desertic lands, the message of the NPUAE is deeply connected to the climate change. The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC will convene in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023. At COP 28, youth will also be at the forefront of climate policymaking and dialogue – Culture is another crucial part of the discourse on climate change, considering the need to safeguard heritage and traditional cultural practices impacted by it.
At this regard, the Minister commented: “Our forefathers learned to adapt and develop sustainable practices to survive the harsh climatic and topographical conditions of the Arabian penninsula. They learned to live sustainably, and their lifestyle aligned with nature. Our culture is replete with traditional practices that have valuable lessons for sustainable living. Water was a scarce resource, even food was not so abundant in the desert, yet our ancestors not just survived but thrived and developed a treasure trove of traditional knowledge. We can tap into the reservoirs of traditional knowledge and borrow a lesson or two in living sustainably with nature.”
Minister Al Qassimi remarked on the continuous UAE’s commitment to global environmental debate: “UAE’s award-winning entry Wetland at Biennale Architettura 2021 explored the relationship between waste and production on a local and global scale. The large-scale prototype structure created from an innovative, environmentally friendly cement was inspired by traditional sabkhas or salt flats. Similarly, this year’s exhibition presents stone construction as a sustainable form of architecture for countries affected by climate change to explore and adapt to their own environments.”
Commenting the cultural offer of the UAE, exponentially increasing both in term of quality and variety, and UAE's upcoming prestigious projects, meant to transform the landscape and load the cultural weight of the country, he said: “Our future-focused approach and the legacy of our forefathers guide our national policies and strategies that focus on building sustainable and inclusive communities. A nation with a rich cultural heritage, the UAE has managed to stay culturally relevant today because of two reasons. We owe it to our leadership’s strategic policy direction and the talent and creativity of our people. The cultural and creative sector is a key element of our nation’s developmental journey. With sustainability at its core, the sector fuels the creative economy.”
Minister Al Qassimi stated: “Culture and creativity are regarded as the ultimate renewable resources, which makes them critical to sustainable development. The launch of Creative UAE or the National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries to coincide with International Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development in 2021, illustrated the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development goals.”
“The Creative UAE or the National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries offers guidelines to build a robust creative economy infrastructure by enabling creative and providing them with a conducive environment to do business. Talent is the greatest resource for the creative industries. Therefore, creating the right means for talent to thrive is a step forward in the right direction. For example, the strategy stipulates scholarships to provide training and education to young creatives to pursue careers in the creative fields. In addition to that it addresses the pain points for creatives and provides solutions to address them. From funding to providing the right channels for exhibition and distribution, the UAE supports creative projects from start to finish. National Pavilion UAE is one such endeavour supported by the UAE government to foster creativity and talent” he added.
Among the most important initiatives in the cultural field, in 2019 the UAE launched Sharjah Architecture Triennial as the first major architectural platform in the Middle East and Global South. He commented: “Art and culture have the power to bring people together. They promote cultural diplomacy and foster peace and stability. By supporting mutual understanding, trust and exposure to cultural diversity, cultural diplomacy goes a long way in enhancing international relations in many areas of cooperation. Initiatives such as the Sharjah Architecture Triennial in one such platform that represents talent from the UAE, and the Middle East region as well as Africa, and South Asia. By representing the global south, it fosters south-south cooperation and enhances diversity and cohesion.”
Minister Al Qassimi also highlighted the capacity of large platforms, such as those of La Biennale di Venezia, to strengthen the ties and relationships between countries. “With regards to the UAE National pavilion at Venice Biennale, the biennale is a significant initiative cementing our ties with Italy even further. The bilateral ties between the UAE and Italy go back decades and such initiatives have managed to strengthen them further.
We have been collaborating with Italy on several fronts including education, cultural exchanges and art events. Through sharing of ideas and experiences, we can create synergies and train and educate youth to enable them to implement sustainable projects on heritage protection and safeguarding their cultural treasures” he concluded.
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