Sharjah Biennial 15 Explores Cross-Border Narratives and Histories
The 15th Sharjah Biennial, titled 'Thinking Historically in the Present,' is taking place until 11 June 2023 across 19 locations including Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Kalba, and Khorfakkan. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi and designed by Okwui Enwezor, the event delves into the micro-histories of border communities while questioning colonial practices. Notable works featured are Shiraz Bayjoo's 'Searching for Libertalia' (2019), Hajra Waheed's 'Hum II' (2023), Reena Saini Kallat's 'Chorus' (2015–19), Ayoung Kim's 'Porosity Valley 2: Tricksters’ Plot' (2019), Hyesoo Park's 'A Man without a Country' (2023), and Michael Rakowitz's 'Borrowed Landscape' (2023). Al Qasimi also integrates Kharareef, reflecting Gulf storytelling traditions.
Key facts
- 15th Sharjah Biennial runs until 11 June 2023
- Title 'Thinking Historically in the Present' conceived by Okwui Enwezor
- Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi
- 19 venues across Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Kalba, and Khorfakkan
- Hajra Waheed won Sharjah Biennial Prize
- Shiraz Bayjoo's work references Daniel Defoe's 1724 book
- Michael Rakowitz's performance included a meal of masgouf
- Biennial addresses colonial bordering and cross-border connections
Entities
Artists
- Hoor Al Qasimi
- Okwui Enwezor
- Shiraz Bayjoo
- Daniel Defoe
- Hajra Waheed
- Shervin Hajipour
- Reena Saini Kallat
- Ayoung Kim
- Hyesoo Park
- Michael Rakowitz
Institutions
- Sharjah Biennial
- Africa Institute
- Bait Obaid Al Shamsi
Locations
- Sharjah
- Al Dhaid
- Kalba
- Khorfakkan
- Madagascar
- Iran
- South Korea
- Yemen
- North Korea
- Iraq
- India
- Pakistan
- East Africa
- Middle East
- South Asia
- East Asia
- Caribbean
- British Raj