Alia Farid's 'A Sounding of Earth' at Glyptotek and Copenhagen Contemporary

Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist Alia Farid presents 'A Sounding of the Earth,' an exhibition spanning Glyptotek and Copenhagen Contemporary that examines the intertwined histories of the Arab Gulf through ancient artifacts and the modern oil industry. Farid's large-scale sculptures and films reimagine protective forms and materials to address ecological and social crises, juxtaposing artisanal objects like 6,000-year-old blue faience with industrial polyester resin derived from oil. Central works include 'Amulets' (2025), a two-part sculpture inspired by protective symbols made from oil-refined materials, and 'Chibayish' (2022/2023), a two-part single-channel projection filmed in the southern Iraqi wetlands that documents daily life amid political and environmental pressures. The exhibition traces how ecosystems, material cultures, and social structures are shaped by extractive economies and imperial legacies, highlighting community adaptation and resistance. Press release from Copenhagen Contemporary.