At the 61st Venice Biennale, running from May 9 to November 22, 2026, artist Dana Awartani represents Saudi Arabia with the installation May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture’s Visual Arts Commission and curated by Antonia Carver, the work features over 29,000 hand-crafted clay bricks arranged in a vast, earthen mosaic landscape.
How is craft being redefined as a living archive?
Dana Awartani’s approach challenges the traditional view of art as a static object. According to the Visual Arts Commission, the installation functions as a “living system of knowledge transmission.” By collaborating with master artisans over nearly 30,000 hours, Awartani treats the act of making as a form of cultural infrastructure. This shift prioritizes the network of expertise—the “many hands”—over the final display, ensuring that generational knowledge survives through practice rather than just preservation in museums.
Why do ancient mosaic traditions matter today?
The installation draws directly from mosaic traditions across Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. As noted by the Lisson Gallery, the work references 23 locations of historical significance that face threats from man-made conflict and violence. By mapping these shared motifs across the pavilion floor, Awartani illustrates how artistic traditions transcend modern borders. The project research highlights sites recognized by organizations like UNESCO and the World Monuments Fund, framing the pavilion as an “imagined archaeological site” that connects three millennia of shared cultural history.
What happens when art meets climate and geography?
The materiality of the installation is deeply rooted in the landscape of Saudi Arabia. The work utilizes four different types of clay earth sourced from distinct regions within the country. According to project documentation, this geographic specificity anchors the work in local soil, while the lack of binding agents ensures the piece remains susceptible to environmental change. This is a deliberate choice: as the material dries and inevitably cracks, it offers a visceral meditation on the loss of heritage caused by neglect and erasure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the Saudi Arabia Pavilion located? The pavilion is situated in the Arsenale, Sale d’Armi, Venice, Italy.
- Who curated the exhibition? The exhibition is curated by Antonia Carver, with assistant curator Hafsa Alkhudairi.
- What is the primary theme of Awartani’s work? The work centers on the continuity of cultural heritage, the complexity of craft, and the preservation of sites under threat from conflict.
- How long did it take to create the installation? The project involved nearly 30,000 hours of artisanal labor.
Did you know?
Dana Awartani’s research for this project specifically references archaeological sites such as caravansaries and necropolises, emphasizing that the “stones” of history hold immeasurable cultural value that requires active, collective care to survive.
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