The 35th Sao Paulo Biennial has unveiled the list of artists tasked with making the impossible possible – and creators from the Middle East and North Africa are at the forefront.
Titled Choreographies of the Impossible, it aims to explore ideas of unfeasible challenges through various experiences. Its curators say the diversity of voices, mediums and geographies inherent to an international biennial create the ideal platform to do so.
It is organised by curator Diane Lima, artist Grada Kilomba, anthropologist Helio Menezes and Reina Sofia Museum director Manuel Borja-Villel, who view their curation as a collective endeavour, rather than singling out their choices and approaches.
“We inhabit a world seemingly rife with what appears to be 'impossibilities': justice, environmental sustainability, overthrowing western hegemony, decolonisation, gender equality and the reshaping of political systems,” Lima tells The National. “Despite this, we find ourselves at a juncture where addressing these issues has become imperative, leading us to view 'the impossible' as an invitation to engage with artistic practices.”
Among the 121 artists and collectives taking part in the event, which runs from September 6 to December 10 at Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion, are Moroccans Bouchra Ouizguen, Yto Barrada, Nadir Bouhmouch, Soumeya Ait Ahmed and M'barek Bouhchichi; Lebanese artist Mounira Al Solh; Kamal Aljafari from Palestine; and Anna Boghiguian from Egypt. Casablanca-born Omar Berrada also joins the biennial’s curatorial council.
Kilomba says they seek to address a “collective interest" in the rhythms, tools, strategies and technologies, as well as in all "symbolic, economic and juridical procedures that extra-disciplinary knowledge are able to promote".
On the other hand, Menezes underlines the issues with the ways in which today’s socio-political climate puts people into boxes, adding: “We aim to extend our lens beyond individual nationalities, acknowledging that the idea of nationality itself can be a result of colonial and outdated categorisations.”
The selection of the artists from the Arab world reflects this philosophy. Borja-Villel explains: “All participants have an artistic production that revolves around impossibility or is created within impossible contexts, which is our main guiding thread.
“However, we must mention that our in-depth exploration and refined perspective on the artistic moment that Arab nations are going through were conducted through discussions and with the crucial exchange with Berrada.”
Aljafari’s video installation edits together footage from the Palestinian Research Centre in Beirut, which was looted by the Israeli army in 1982, with added visual effects.
Boghiguian, meanwhile, assumes the power of storytelling through drawing, cutouts, collages and text. She takes cues from western symbolist paintings to trace the story of enslaved West African people who were sent to America to work on cotton plantations.
In Ouizguen’s performative work, a diverse group of women will present a new choreography inspired by Arabic poetry, Marrakesh markets and the powerful impact of movement.
From Brazilian fixtures like Sonia Gomes, Luiz de Abreu, Raquel Lima and Luana Vitra to international names such as Simone Leigh, Stanley Brouwn, Senga Nengudi and Wifredo Lam, the list reflects the curators’ “decentralising” view to organising a grand level international tour de force.
The approach has started with a few initial collective steps. The curators have avoided using a designated chief curator and offered the participants what Lima calls “complete liberty to interact with the theme and address the pressing issues the biennial confronts in their unique and fluid manner".
Tackling the notion of impossibility gave the organisers an opportunity “to radically envision what appears as impossible", adds Kilomba. The show’s geographically diverse roster, she believes, is a way to address the "immeasurable, indescribable and unimaginable outcomes" of the fight against oppression.
Menezes adds: “We believe that we have reached a convergence of these impossibilities: injustice, the climate crisis, human rights violations and the dominance of categories and definitions that no longer suffice to describe the world around us. Hence, 'impossibility' surfaced as the crucial concept we needed to reflect on and dance with.”
This flirting with the impossible, for Borja-Villel, comes out “less as a desire for control but rather a chance to collectively challenge and upend our current way of living and build a better future".
The curatorial theme’s collective nature also spills into the exhibition experience. The Sao Paulo-based design company Vao will reinterpret Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion with an exhibition design that “radically reimagines the methods of exhibiting and organising", says Kilomba.
The Oscar Niemeyer-designed Modernist building has been home to the biennial since 1957. It was the biennial's fourth edition and the first to be held in the three-story 30,000 square metre venue in Parque Ibirapuera.
The company, which is spearheaded by Anna Juni, Enk te Winkel and Gustavo Delonero, will transform the ramp-accentuated pavilion not only to host physical artworks but also to encompass film, music and dance.
Choreographies of the Impossible runs from September 6 to December 10, Parque Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EDiet%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E7am%20-%20Protein%20shake%20with%20oats%20and%20fruits%0D%3Cbr%3E10am%20-%205-6%20egg%20whites%0D%3Cbr%3E1pm%20-%20White%20rice%20or%20chapati%20(Indian%20bread)%20with%20chicken%0D%3Cbr%3E4pm%20-%20Dry%20fruits%20%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%20-%20Pre%20workout%20meal%20%E2%80%93%20grilled%20fish%20or%20chicken%20with%20veggies%20and%20fruits%0D%3Cbr%3E8.30pm%20to%20midnight%20workout%0D%3Cbr%3E12.30am%20%E2%80%93%20Protein%20shake%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20intake%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204000-4500%20calories%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESaidu%E2%80%99s%20weight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20110%20kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStats%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Biceps%2019%20inches.%20Forearms%2018%20inches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
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You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
more from Janine di Giovanni
SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
