Qatar Pavilion at Gwangju Biennale Sends a Message of Solidarity Through Rain
Jason Yim / Published September 22, 2024 10:44 PM
Jason Yim
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Qatar Museums
GWANGJU — At the 15th edition of the Gwangju Biennale, the Qatar Pavilion brings a powerful message of unity through its exhibition titled Knock, Rain, Knock. This exhibition, presented by the National Museum of Qatar, combines the soothing sounds of rainfall with a traditional Qatari children’s folk song, offering visitors a sensory experience that explores the significance of rain in Qatari culture. The pavilion’s soundscape is surrounded by reflections of traditional Qatari architectural patterns and idioms, one of which reads, “Whatever comes from the sky, the earth accepts.”
The exhibition, which opened on September 7, features works commissioned specifically for the biennale. The National Museum of Qatar’s director, Sheikh Abdulaziz H. Al Thani, emphasized that the exhibition aims to bring people together in a world that feels increasingly divided. “We always look for the things that unite us,” he shared in an interview with The Korea Herald.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Qatar Museums
Seven Qatari or Qatar-based artists contributed to the exhibition, including designer Abdulrahman al Muftah, interdisciplinary artist Farah al Sidiky, graphic designer Fatima Abbas, and sound artist Guillaume Rousere, among others. The diversity of artists, both Qatari and residents, reflects the makeup of Qatar’s society, where residents from various backgrounds contribute significantly to the cultural landscape.
The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections: Landscape, To Pray, To Receive, and To Bear. It begins with Glimpse of Rain, a work by Fatima Abbas, which contrasts a year with rain and a year of drought. Rainfall, though rare in Qatar, is seen as a symbol of life, love, and renewal, a theme that resonates throughout the pavilion.
One of the standout works is Abdulrahman al Muftah’s Rain on Materiality, which features large copper sheets etched with the patterns left by raindrops. The piece captures the delicate relationship between Qatar’s man-made structures and the natural world, highlighting the deep longing for rain in the desert landscape.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Qatar Museums
Sheikh Abdulaziz noted that the exhibition is part of a broader effort to expand Qatar's cultural influence beyond its borders. “We bring in around 20 artists each year through our residency programs and provide them with workshops and studio spaces, not just for Qataris, but for international artists as well,” he said.
The Gwangju Biennale, marking its 30th anniversary this year, was curated by French art critic Nicolas Bourriaud under the theme Pansori, a Soundscape of the 21st Century, drawing on Korea’s traditional musical storytelling form. Qatar is the only Arab country with its own pavilion, and its contribution reflects the growing cultural exchange between the Middle East and Asia.
The Qatar Pavilion will remain open to the public until December 1, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Qatar and its connection to the universal themes of nature and renewal.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Qatar Museums
GWANGJU — At the 15th edition of the Gwangju Biennale, the Qatar Pavilion brings a powerful message of unity through its exhibition titled Knock, Rain, Knock. This exhibition, presented by the National Museum of Qatar, combines the soothing sounds of rainfall with a traditional Qatari children’s folk song, offering visitors a sensory experience that explores the significance of rain in Qatari culture. The pavilion’s soundscape is surrounded by reflections of traditional Qatari architectural patterns and idioms, one of which reads, “Whatever comes from the sky, the earth accepts.”
The exhibition, which opened on September 7, features works commissioned specifically for the biennale. The National Museum of Qatar’s director, Sheikh Abdulaziz H. Al Thani, emphasized that the exhibition aims to bring people together in a world that feels increasingly divided. “We always look for the things that unite us,” he shared in an interview with The Korea Herald.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Qatar Museums
Seven Qatari or Qatar-based artists contributed to the exhibition, including designer Abdulrahman al Muftah, interdisciplinary artist Farah al Sidiky, graphic designer Fatima Abbas, and sound artist Guillaume Rousere, among others. The diversity of artists, both Qatari and residents, reflects the makeup of Qatar’s society, where residents from various backgrounds contribute significantly to the cultural landscape.
The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections: Landscape, To Pray, To Receive, and To Bear. It begins with Glimpse of Rain, a work by Fatima Abbas, which contrasts a year with rain and a year of drought. Rainfall, though rare in Qatar, is seen as a symbol of life, love, and renewal, a theme that resonates throughout the pavilion.
One of the standout works is Abdulrahman al Muftah’s Rain on Materiality, which features large copper sheets etched with the patterns left by raindrops. The piece captures the delicate relationship between Qatar’s man-made structures and the natural world, highlighting the deep longing for rain in the desert landscape.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Qatar Museums
Sheikh Abdulaziz noted that the exhibition is part of a broader effort to expand Qatar's cultural influence beyond its borders. “We bring in around 20 artists each year through our residency programs and provide them with workshops and studio spaces, not just for Qataris, but for international artists as well,” he said.
The Gwangju Biennale, marking its 30th anniversary this year, was curated by French art critic Nicolas Bourriaud under the theme Pansori, a Soundscape of the 21st Century, drawing on Korea’s traditional musical storytelling form. Qatar is the only Arab country with its own pavilion, and its contribution reflects the growing cultural exchange between the Middle East and Asia.
The Qatar Pavilion will remain open to the public until December 1, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Qatar and its connection to the universal themes of nature and renewal.
