JEDDAH: Aether Gallery is showcasing three independently curated solo shows sponsored by the Cultural Development Fund until April.
The work of two Saudi nationals, Daniyah Al-Saleh, Asma Bahmim and a Kuwaiti national, Farah Behbehani, is being featured in the gallery.
Al-Saleh’s show, titled “Keep Smiling”, addresses the use of non-verbal symbols in modern communication in an increasingly digitized world. “Our mode of communication may change from a clay tablet to a smart tablet or smartphone. It seems that as a society we have accepted emoji as part of our daily lives,” she told Arab News.
“We have evolved collectively using a digital version of hieroglyphs in the form of pictographic codes and emoticons that provide the recipient insight on the likely mood of the sender.
“It addresses the context of emojis and the ubiquity and use of pop culture and the use of emoji in everyday text, everyday communication. Here I am questioning the use of emoji. Is it a kind of mask, is it a proxy for our feelings or mental state? Or does it actually help us discover our feelings and relate to another – better communicating messages? I leave the answer to the audience.
Bahmim’s work, titled “Fantasia: A World Between Reality and Imagination”, is also noteworthy.
His work encapsulates the essence of the Islamic Art Biennial spirit. She uses animals to generate imaginary dialogue and highlights the importance of the tradition of storytelling.
“Fantasia was definitely a passion project for me. Its medium and technical play an essential role in the message I wanted to get out, which was the culmination of a lifetime of exposure and research into storytelling,” Bahamim told ATHR said about his solo show.
“I wanted to bring alive the daydreams that came to my mind through a story in a book. I wanted the audience to be immersed not only in the story but also in the backstories of the elements of these stories,” she told Arab News.
Behbahani’s elegant work, transcending time and space, is aptly titled “And Make Me Light”, inspired by the words she skillfully reinterprets.
“The concept of the show is returning back to light through spirituality. One of my biggest works is based on dua (prayer).”
“Basically for this whole poetry verse, I took the words of this verse and I incorporated it into the geometry design; Each word has been transformed into square Kufic calligraphy to fit within the geometry of this work,” she told Arab News as her young son stood, his eyes shining with pride.
Behbahani has been using Islamic cultural motifs and Arabic words as inspiration for decades.
Each of Kuwait University’s seven administration buildings incorporate his intricate calligraphic designs, using Quranic verses, poetry and prose.
The buildings served as “static structures” for his art as “an ephemeral play of light and shadow through a labyrinth of letters that drew on references from Islamic literature”.
Behbehani’s exhibitions and shows are showcased in the MENA region and around the world. She is the author of the 2009 book “The Conference of the Birds”, based on a 12th-century Sufi allegorical poem. His book interpreted the classic text through illustrations in Jali Diwani script.
Behbahani is participating in the Islamic Arts Biennale this month with her “Path of Light” three-panel kinetic piece, which was inspired by a poetic verse of tribute to the Prophet Muhammad by author Ahmad Shoi.
The three solo shows take place at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah as part of the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale 2023.
Aether Gallery released this statement exclusively to Arab News: “Our relationship with the Diriya Biennale Foundation has been going strong since the foundation’s inception and its first edition in 2021.
“Many artists have been featured in the Biennale, including artists such as Ahmed Mater in both editions. In the current edition (Islamic Arts Biennale 2023), we have seven artists, which again highlights the diversity of our roster and their practices. Are.
“We have aligned with the DBF to join our program and to time the opening of our exhibition to coincide with the opening event of the Biennale as a way of reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to supporting the arts. have aligned.
“Athar has been established since 2009, and we are now delighted that newly established institutions such as DBF and their activities complement the efforts of the private sector.”
For more information on hours of operation and to book an appointment, visit Aether’s social media channels and the Diriyah Biennale page.