National Pavilion UAE has announced Faysal Tabbarah as its new curator for the International Architecture Exhibition at Venice Biennale 2023.
He was chosen from a range of designers, architects and thinkers who submitted proposals addressing the biennale’s theme The Laboratory of the Future.
Tabbarah, associate dean and associate professor of architecture at the American University of Sharjah, collaborated with the Kuwait Pavilion’s curators last year.
His research proposal for Venice’s 18th International Architecture Exhibition explores the relationship between architecture and arid landscapes in the UAE, reimagining these dry regions as spaces of abundance and productivity.
In an interview with The National, Tabbarah says the project proposes that there is a deep reservoir of land-based knowledge that exists in arid and semi-arid landscapes, which challenges their representation as spaces of extreme scarcity.
“These landscapes are in fact already abundant," he says. "As such, one of the primary aims of the project is to highlight this abundance of knowledge and find opportunities to integrate it with contemporary advances in technology, and by doing so, amplify the relevance of these practices at a time of increasing climate change.”
Curated by Lesley Lokko, a Ghanaian-Scottish architect, academic and writer, the upcoming biennale invites architects and practitioners to imagine what the future might hold. Venice 2023 will mark the UAE’s 12th exhibition at the event since 2009, and its fifth participation in the International Architecture Exhibition.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, says the country remains committed to supporting the UAE National Pavilion at Venice. She says: “Tabbarah’s project will certainly contribute to the development of a thriving architecture scene in the UAE. At the ministry, we believe in empowering our creatives for them to contribute to the country’s holistic and sustainable development."
Meanwhile, Angela Migally, executive director at the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, says: "Over the years, the National Pavilion UAE has been delivering substantial work in its mission of showcasing the best of the UAE’s art and architecture practices through sharing curated stories at one of the most important global stages in the world, La Biennale di Venezia.
"The pavilion has been a platform for thought-provoking research and exhibitions, and we look forward to exploring the outcome of Tabbarah’s project, that addresses timely real-life challenges we see echoed around the world today, which are further exacerbated by the effects of climate change.”
Tabbarah says his approach represents an emerging attitude within architectural discourse in the Global South, which presents “architectural provocations and solutions”, bridging historical land-based knowledge and contemporary technology as a way to produce built environments that are rooted in their cultural and environmental contexts.
He also draws on his work at the American University of Sharjah. “I continuously work with the students to move across computational tools, emergent technologies, materials research, and historical archives," he says. "These methodologies will inform my approach for the National Pavilion.”
Laila Binbrek, coordinating director of National Pavilion UAE, says Tabbarah brings a unique perspective to the discourse around architecture and its responsibility towards the environments we live in.
She says: “We believe that research into our landscapes, understanding them, questioning them, will help us build better futures, not just for ourselves, but hopefully this line of investigation will open up dialogue with other communities around the world facing similar conditions and together we can find solutions to make better futures.”
Last year, the UAE won the Golden Lion for best National Participation for its exhibition Wetland. Commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the National Pavilion UAE has a permanent pavilion at La Biennale Di Venezia’s Arsenale — Sale d’Armi.
The country’s current exhibition at Venice’s Biennale Arte 2022 is Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Between Sunrise and Sunset, curated by Maya Allison. It features a sculptural form made of 128 abstract and organic elements by Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim. It will remain on display until November 27.
Binbrek says the UAE is a country that “thrives on experimentation, exploration and innovation”. She says: “Winning the Golden Lion last year was a huge honour and privilege for us and the curatorial team, and I believe a testament to the processes we have in place that enable our selected curators achieve their best.”
The National Pavilion, she says, is an important platform for sharing the UAE’s story not just with the world, but also within the UAE itself. “We are still a young, rapidly developing nation and it’s important that we start to document some of this change,” she tells The National.
“Over the years, we have been able to support and publish first-hand research on a variety of stories that have added to the dialogue locally and internationally. Each year we push our curatorial teams a bit further to ask deeper questions, or more ‘what if’s’ to take a page from Lesley's book.”
She asks: “Is the UAE positioned to go beyond and amplify other regional stories? Maybe? For now, I believe we have so many stories within the UAE to explore and that will keep us occupied for some time.”
The National Pavilion UAE will present its exhibition for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition, from May 20 to November 26 next year. More information on the participation of the UAE at La Biennale di Venezia is available at nationalpavilionuae.org
Scroll through images of the UAE's Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2021 below
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE squad
Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Ultra processed foods
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RACE CARD
4.30pm: Maiden Dh80,000 1,400m
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Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
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John Heminway, Knopff
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Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
Match info
Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)
The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
