rub’ al khali – empty quarter: myth and poetry
Every itinerary comprises three parts:
The first part consist in the artist’s journey itself. The concept of the journey is defined by Maria Rebecca Ballestra as research method in which she physically and psychologically confronts conditions of the environment, therefore she explores and experiences possibilities of divers viewpoints and processes.
The second part is formed of an artistic production indicating the insights, experience and research result Ballestra made during the journeys.
In the third part is invited a researcher to contribute with a written text regarding the geopolitical or anthropological contexts of the corresponding desert.
the journey: rub’ al khali sand desert
Rub’ al Khali means “Empty Quarter” and this desert is the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert covers some 650,000 square kilometres including parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen….
The multimedia installation, in the frame of the art project Echoes of the Void by Maria Rebecca Ballestra, presents the connection between the mystic experience in the Rub’ al Khali Desert in UAE and technology reflecting on alternative definitions of identity.
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local partner: Maraya Art Centre
Established in 2006, Maraya Art Centre is a three-storey non-profit creative space located in Sharjah, U.A.E. Since its inception, Maraya has offered the public an innovative exhibitions programme, showcasing the work of leading Middle Eastern and international artists. The centre also boasts multi-media facilities, a video archive, an art library and a regular public programme of workshops and events designed by its in-house team and guest curators. Outside of the main building, Maraya also has several public park art sites within its local vicinity that feature interactive projects and sculptures.
