Press Release

A collection of works displayed during the 60th International Venice Biennale provides a preview of Wadi AlFann and spotlights its first five artists commissioned. Renders, drawings, maquettes and interviews related to Wadi AlFann are showcased. The Wadi AlFann land art display spans 65 square kilometres, and is set to mark a new chapter in art history.

Wadi AlFann presents Journeys in Land Art, Towards Wadi AlFann, AlUla, a showcase during the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, which spotlights the first five artists commissioned for Wadi AlFann, a new destination for contemporary art. On display will be a series of renders, drawings, maquettes and interviews including drawings gathered by Manal AlDowayan—he artist representing Saudi Arabia at the Venice Biennale 2024—hrough her participatory workshops with communities across AlUla and a maquette and render by Ahmed Mater. Guided tours will be available on April 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th and 27th.

International Archives 1st half of 2024

Journeys in Land Art

Wadi AlFann, Abbaye San Gregorio, Venice (Italy)

16 - 30.04.2024

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Wadi AlFann, meaning ‘alley of the Arts’ will be an awe-inspiring new global cultural destination for contemporary art, where era-defining works by some of the most compelling artists from around the world will be permanently placed in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia steeped in thousands of years of natural, historical and cultural heritage. Located on a site spanning 65 square kilometres, this unique cultural destination will mark a new chapter in art history.

The first five artists creating new, large-scale, site-specific commissions for Wadi AlFann are Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater and James Turrell.

These mark the start of an ongoing programme of commissions, with more artists to be announced soon. Learning from the desert, Wadi AlFann’ commissioned artists are responding to the landscape and heritage of AlUla, taking inspiration from its dramatic topography, undulating vistas, remarkable geological structures and complex natural ecosystem. The works will be created with respect for the landscape, set against the stunning sandstone cliffs and canyons of the vast terrain.

Displayed for audiences in Venice in the Wadi AlFann showcase, a maquette and render by Ahmed Mater reveal the artist’ plans for his Wadi AlFann commission, titled Ashab Al-Lal, an installation inspired by scientific and philosophical thinkers of the Islamic Golden Age that will explore the mythic space between subjective imagination and objective reality by generating a mirage within the sand dunes.

Also exhibited as part of the Wadi AlFann showcase are drawings gathered by Manal AlDowayan—he artist representing Saudi Arabia at the 2024 Venice Biennale—hrough her participatory workshops with communities across AlUla, where over 700 participants were asked to draw their personal stories onto paper. The depictions in the exhibited works range from participant’ homes, neighbourhoods, memories and family histories to flora, fauna, culinary customs and abstract creative expressions, with each piece reflecting the lives, cultures and identities of the people of AlUla. These drawings and stories will eventually be inscribed into the walls of her Wadi AlFann commission, titled Oasis of Stories, a labyrinthine installation inspired by the walls of AlUla’ Old Town that will invite viewers to walk through its passages.

These pieces feature alongside interviews with all first five Wadi AlFann artists, providing a fascinating glimpse of their creative practice and vision. Together, the displayed works take visitors on the journey towards the opening of Wadi AlFann.

Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts and Creative Industries, Royal Commission for AlUla, says: “e are delighted to introduce Wadi AlFann to Venice, during the 60th International Venice Biennale, through the Wadi AlFann showcase. It provides a glimpse at the journey towards AlUla’ new global destination for land art. Visionary arts initiatives like Wadi AlFann play a crucial role in AlUla’ development strategy, and we cannot wait for you to see it in person.”

Exhibition 16 - 30 April 2024. Abbazia di San Gregorio, 172 Dorsoduro - 30123 Venice (Italy). Opening hours : April 16: 10am–6pm - April 17–30: 9am–6pm.

Wadi AlFann, AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy of the Royal Commission for AlUla.