Habitat. Hortus Conclusus Brings Middle Eastern Art to Moscow
3L Gallery in Moscow is currently featuring "Habitat. Hortus Conclusus," an exhibition showcasing contemporary art from the Middle East, a notable first for Russia. Curated by Marina Baisel and Elena Belolipetskaia, the event features artists like Elnaz Javani from Iran, Asma Yousef Al Ahmed and Zeina Abdullah from the UAE, and Alymamah Rashed from Kuwait. The exhibition uses garden imagery to explore themes of identity, referencing the medieval concept of hortus conclusus and Augustine of Hippo's idea of the 'inner man.' Al Ahmed captures the essence of Ras Al Khaimah’s scenery, while Abdullah contemplates themes of home and loss. Javani’s textile art and Rashed’s paintings further delve into personal and cultural stories.
Key facts
- Habitat. Hortus Conclusus is a group exhibition at 3L Gallery in Moscow.
- It is among the first exhibitions of contemporary Middle Eastern art in Russia.
- Curated by Marina Baisel and Elena Belolipetskaia.
- Features artists: Elnaz Javani (Iran), Asma Yousef Al Ahmed (UAE), Alymamah Rashed (Kuwait), Zeina Abdullah (UAE).
- Themes include identity, garden metaphor, hortus conclusus, pairidaeza, and Augustine's 'inner man'.
- Al Ahmed's works depict Ras Al Khaimah landscapes blending geological memory and urbanization.
- Abdullah explores home and loss through objects and rituals.
- Javani creates textile sculptures with floating figures as metaphors for migration.
- Rashed's Muslima Cyborg merges Kuwaiti folklore, mythology, globalization, and digital identity.
Entities
Artists
- Elnaz Javani
- Asma Yousef Al Ahmed
- Alymamah Rashed
- Zeina Abdullah
- Marina Baisel
- Elena Belolipetskaia
- Augustine of Hippo
Institutions
- 3L Gallery
Locations
- Moscow
- Russia
- Iran
- UAE
- Kuwait
- Ras Al Khaimah