Marking its ninth participation in the Venice Biennale, the National Pavilion UAE presents Washwasha, an exhibition curated by Bana Kattan, and assistant curator Tala Nassar. Located at its permanent pavilion at the Arsenale, the pavilion is commissioned by the Salama bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation with support from His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khaled Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture.
The group show brings together artists Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash and Taus Makhacheva, whose works engage with contemporary soundscapes shaped by migration, transience and enduring connections to the UAE.
Washwasha meaning “whispering” in Arabic, serves as both a conceptual and sonic lens through which visitors experience the interplay of memory and movement. The exhibition examines the UAE not as a fixed cultural form but as a dynamic space influenced by mobility, correspondence and layered auditory histories.
Curator Bana Kattan notes “Washwasha is an exhibition led by the artists involved. Each brings a unique and valuable approach to the title and its themes. It is an honor to work with these artists, who are integral to the artistic landscape of the UAE, and with the National Pavilion UAE on this occasion. The research the exhibition prompted, which is further explored in the publication, offers a variety of discourses on the liminality and elusiveness of intangible histories.”
From early collective sound practices to technologically mediated listening cultures, Washwasha explores how the UAE’s evolving architectural, social and technological frameworks influence the way communities perceive and share sound.
“As the National Pavilion UAE prepares to open in Venice, this exhibition affirms our commitment to sharing the UAE’s rich intangible culture through contemporary artistic expression. Bringing together artists whose practices span generations, the presentation reflects the depth, continuity, and evolving nature of creative life in the UAE. Under Bana Kattan’s thoughtful curatorial direction, the Pavilion foregrounds diverse artistic perspectives and under-explored narratives, while demonstrating the impact of sustained investment in artistic development, mentorship, and collaboration. This edition of the
Pavilion looks forward, inviting international audiences to engage with practices shaped by lived experience, shared histories, and the dynamic cultural fabric of the UAE,” shares Laila Binbrek, Director of the National Pavilion UAE.
Designed by Büro Koray Duman (B-KD) Architects, the pavilion’s spatial arrangement will respond directly to the acoustic characteristic, guiding visitors through zones of intimate listening to areas dominated by sonic overlap and noise.
The 61st Venice Biennale will run from 9 May to 22 November 2026
