The "Abundance & Scarcity" project, presented at the Diriyah Biennale 2024, links environmental sustainability with cultural heritage into a cultural shelter on two scales: a social shelter in form of an outdoor shading canopy and a personal shelter in form of a "Bishty" wearable. The project embodies an artistic approach to addressing the extremes of desert climates while honoring the traditions of nomadic cultures, including those of Saudi Arabian tribes and contemporary nomads and refugees. The 70-meter-large outdoor canopy, situated on an outdoor area of the Biennale, is crafted from recycled felt used as architectural upholstery of the previous Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah. Based on the dimensions of the Saudi Arabian Bisht, a traditional cloak made from goat wool and camel hair, this modular textile system forms a shading structure that is both functional and visually captivating. The canopy's design, featuring laser-cut patterns, plays with light and shadow to create a dynamic visual effect reminiscent of Sadu weaving. This effect is enhanced by the gentle sway of the fabrics in the desert wind. This structure is not only a nod to the ingenious constructions of nomadic shelters but also incorporates sewn-in sachets of native desert plants, adding a layer of sensory experience through their refreshing scents.
The second component, "Bishty," extends the project's reuse of textiles into wearable art. Drawing from the same modular principle as the canopy, "Bishty" is a cocoon-like cloak that translates the traditional Bisht into a unisex wearable lined with refugee blankets. Both the canopy and "Bishty" highlight the theme of "Abundance & Scarcity" through the selection of materials and the integration of environmental and social considerations. The use of recycled felt and refugee blankets underscores a commitment to environmental sustainability, reflecting on the broader implications of resource utilization and cultural resilience. Following the Biennale, the project aims to continue its social mission by donating surplus materials to refugee camps and selling wearable items to fund further implementation efforts within these communities.
Artistic director: Azra Akšamija
Project research and development: Future Heritage Lab (Merve Akdoğan, Lillian Kology, Yi-Ern Samuel Tan, Nadine Zaza)
Outdoor canopy fabrication: Diriyah Biennale team
Bishty fabrication: Azra Akšamija, Lillian Kology
Project text: written by Azra Akšamija and edited with AI
Exhibition website: https://biennale.org.sa/en
Installation
Materials: Recycled polyester felt from the 2023 Islamic Art Biennale in Jeddah, refugee fleece blankets.
Dimensions: variable.