‘Archipelago of Whispers’ Explores Gossip and Listening at 421 Arts Campus, Abu Dhabi

The exhibition titled ‘Archipelago of Whispers,’ curated by Deniz Kirkali and Elham Puriya Mehr, will debut at 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi on 4 October 2026, remaining open until 10 January 2027. This immersive showcase explores whispers, gossip, and storytelling as vital means of collective understanding, highlighting the informal channels through which meaning flows among individuals, locations, and experiences. The curators redefine gossip as a significant relational space, emphasizing its role in conveying memory, care, and shared experiences across various boundaries. Featuring video, multi-channel works, and sound installations, the exhibition creates what Kirkali and Puriya Mehr describe as a “listening ecology,” encouraging audiences to engage with the evolving nature of knowledge amidst the influence of digital media.