The National Pavilion UAE has announced its upcoming exhibition for the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, titled ‘Washwasha’ (Whispers Across Water). Curated by Bana Kattan with assistant curator Tala Nassar, the presentation features six artists: Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva. The exhibition moves away from traditional visual spectacle to focus on sound, oral traditions, and 'sonic cartographies' that explore memory, migration, and the fluid identity of the UAE through an architectural environment designed by Büro Koray Duman Architects.
This project is significant for its departure from the legible, image-heavy representation often expected of national pavilions at major biennials. By prioritizing the ephemeral and intangible nature of sound, the UAE Pavilion challenges how national identity is constructed and communicated in a global art context. The selection of a diverse group of artists—ranging from those focusing on digital culture to those exploring urban mapping—suggests a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to the Gulf's contemporary history that resists static or nostalgic narratives.