Venice: The National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates is set to participate in the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, opening on 6 May and running until 22 November 2026. The exhibition will welcome the public starting from 9 May.
According to Emirates News Agency, the National Pavilion UAE announced its upcoming exhibition, titled "Washwasha," curated by Bana Kattan, Curator and Associate Head of Exhibitions at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project, along with Assistant Curator Tala Nassar. The exhibition will feature six artists: Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva. Their works explore contemporary soundscapes in the UAE, influenced by migration, transience, and enduring ties to the land. "Washwasha," a phonetic transliteration of the Arabic word for 'whispering,' serves as a foundation for examining themes of movement, technology, oral histories, and the interplay between language, body, and identity.
The exhibition highlights how sound has historically served as a medium for collective self-representation, from oral storytelling to poetry circles and local broadcasting initiatives. "Washwasha" places contemporary art practices within this ongoing tradition of transmission and exchange.
Laila Binbrek, Director of the National Pavilion UAE - La Biennale di Venezia, emphasized that the UAE's participation in the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia 2026 transcends traditional art displays. It aims to become a platform that mirrors the vibrancy of Emirati society and underscores national success stories. She further noted that the selection of artists and curators this year reflects the UAE's unique demographic and cultural tapestry, uniting creatives whose careers have been shaped by the country's burgeoning cultural ecosystem. This interconnectedness of the artistic community produces profound philosophical concepts related to identity and heritage.