Desert X AlUla 2024 Curators on 'In the Presence of Absence'

Desert X AlUla is set to take place from 9 February to 23 March 2024, in a partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and Desert X. The exhibition's co-curators, Maya El Khalil and Marcello Dantas, focus on the theme 'In the Presence of Absence,' which delves into the desert's perceived void, revealing its rich history and memories. Featured artists will interact with the landscape's vastness and hidden energies at locations such as Wadi AlFann desert, AlManshiyah Railway Station, and Harrat Uwayrid. Dantas highlights the desert's constant evolution, suggesting that artworks must adapt over time. El Khalil mentions that artists first observe before shifting their viewpoints to grasp the desert's elusive forces. The initiative aims to shift human-centered perspectives and enhance ecological consciousness, promoting a 'leave no trace' philosophy, although some installations may become permanent. The local community will contribute valuable insights, while artists will investigate themes such as human-landscape interactions, unseen influences, and alternative realities, including mythological and cosmic stories.