Vogue Arabia, March 2020.Sheikha Hoor wears dress, Balenciaga; hat, Andy Wahloo Super-Lux; necklace, Jean Paul Gaultier. Photo: Hassan Hajjaj
Curated by Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah Biennial 15 : Thinking Historically in the Present kicked off on February 7 and will continue until June 11, featuring over 150 artists and art collectives from more than 70 countries. In parallel with the exhibition conceived by the late Okwui Enwezor, Sharjah Art Foundation launched Biennial Bytes, the official podcast of Sharjah Biennial 15. Sheikha Hoor talks to Vogue Arabia about this project.
In this year’s edition of SB15, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi interprets and re-envisions the titular proposal by the late thinker to critically center the past within the contemporary moment. This is reflected in the Biennial Bytes podcast which delves into the work of some of the most prominent artists practicing today. In each 30 minute-episode, host Hoor Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Art Foundation and curator of SB15, talks to artists about their practice, their process and their Biennial project.
We are excited to launch Biennial Bytes, the official podcast of Sharjah Biennial 15!
Listen to #SB15 artists talking to host Hoor Al Qasimi about their Biennial projects on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.https://t.co/ckeI6qYbtD pic.twitter.com/8ifN5QxLqV
— SharjahArtFoundation (@sharjahart) April 10, 2023
“‘As we worked on the Biennial we had an abundance of exciting and revelatory conversations with artists about the ideas, evolution and motivation behind their artworks. We wanted to give our audiences glimpses into these insightful backstories and personal exchanges which brought the works to life.” Sheikha Hoor tells us about the idea behind the podcast.
She further explains the purpose of Biennial Bytes: “Our intention was to not only dive deeper into these artists’ presentations at SB15, but also to ask the artists about their lives, to share their stores and to engage intimately with the scope and range of their entire practice — asking them how and why their works speak to the world we live in.”
“The artists participating in SB15 ask salient questions about our present condition, whether it be society, identity, ecology or neocolonialism. While SB15 acts as a platform to bring these perspectives to a wider audience, the podcast expands that audience by appealing to those who are unable to visit the Biennial in person.” Sheikha Hoor shares details about the podcast. “ Through Biennial Bytes, SB15 extends across the globe and into the future.” She adds.
The first season of Biennial Bytes includes 12 episodes – with artists Hassan Hajjaj, Mary Sibande, Nari Ward, John Akomfrah, Joiri Minaya, Yinka Shonibare, Mithu Sen, Kambui Olujimi, Archana Hande, Annalee Davis, Abdulraheem Salem and Amar Kanwar. New episodes will be released every Monday from April 10-June 12 2023.
