'Maghras: Experimental Farm' expo showcases Saudi innovation at Milan Triennial
MILAN — The 24th edition of the Milan International Triennale in Italy witnessed the opening of the "Maghras: An Experimental Farm" exhibition, on Tuesday. It is Saudi Arabia's first participation in this international event, under the supervision of curators Lulu Al-Manea and Sarah Al-Omran, and creative director Alejandro Steen.
The exhibition highlights the transformation witnessed by the Al-Ahsa region, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the largest oases in the world.
The exhibition is titled "Maghras," which is a traditional local unit of measurement that refers to the area of land surrounded by four palm trees. The exhibition includes artworks, research findings, and programs that aim to explore the intersections and close connections between the environment, culture, and memory of Al-Ahsa.
"Maghras" presents the highlights of a year-long program in Al-Ahsa, showcasing three works within the Saudi National Pavilion. The first is by Jeddah-based architect Leen Ajlan, whose work combines spatial design, cultural initiatives, and experimentation with materials. The second is a multimedia film by Al-Ahsa-based visual artist Mohammed Al-Faraj, in which he reimagines a local folk tale about a village landmark. The third work is an audio piece by Sound and Image Foundation, a community-focused research platform dedicated to exploring intangible heritage and art forms in and around the Arabian Gulf region.
Al-Ahsa's identity is characterized by its blend of urban and rural features. Farms extend between villages and cities and are a cornerstone of agricultural development. They were a primary food source for Saudi Arabia during the 1960s. However, it witnessed changes that reflected the ongoing global transformations in agricultural ecosystems, which led to disruption of the fragile balance of the ecosystem and the consistency between the rural and urban identities of the region.
'The Mughras exhibition is a tribute to the place, its environment, its people, the cultural details, and the historical and modern life experiences that come together to form the Al-Ahsa region,' said curators Lulu Al Manea and Sara Al Omran. 'By examining the past and the transformations taking place in the region through art, research, and local heritage, we seek to focus on the need for collective study and shared interest in shaping the future of our local rural communities. We are honored to present our most prominent findings in the 'Maghras' exhibition, which represents a tangible embodiment of the state of connection, both with the land and among us, and we look forward to its repercussions resonating beyond the borders of Milan and Al-Ahsa.'
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