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Abu Dhabi: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi welcomed the acclaimed Tunisian artists and siblings, Selma and Sofiane Ouissi, for a captivating rendition of their remote video Wejdan, concluding the museum’s ‘Waiting for the Future’ online series. The session was premiered on the Abu Dhabi Culture YouTube channel and is available to be viewed again online.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi commissioned the artists to present a digital film that was produced and directed remotely, showcasing the complex and unprecedented complications of today’s current circumstances. In collaboration with five women performers - Jalila Baccar, Tania El Khoury, Ghalia Ben Ali, Kawthar Younis, Yara Ktaish - and narrator Wajden Nassif, based all over the world from Sao Paolo, Beirut, and Cairo to Brussels, Metz and Tunis, the remote video articulates how the body becomes an agent for conveying nuanced expressions around notions of time, distance, and the present.
“The women in the film are at a difficult and transitional moment in their life. They are indirectly asking themselves, What is it like to be in a system that has been imposed on us or in a system that we have created ourselves? Through this performative act, they navigate through the obstacles they confront in their daily lives,” said artist Selma Ouissi. “Doing this [remote film] at distance is just a miracle. It’s like being in theatre without actually being there. We don’t have this sense of proximity, but we still continued to work within the mind-frame that we can experience the community of theatre and production. It wasn’t easy, but it is exciting.”
Through Wejdan, the artist-duo reveals how their craft can deepen one’s personal meaning of time and strengthen our connections to one another.
Artist Sofiane Ouissi added, “It gives us great positive energy to be linked to all these realities from Sao Paolo, to Brussels, to Beirut. All of their social realities were brought together in a creative, artistic, positive and productive way through this digital project with Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. I want to pay homage to all of these women that have agreed to collaborate with us that have revealed themselves by being vulnerable and honest. It is very powerful and touching.”
The Wejdan remote video was the final session of the ‘Waiting for the Future’ virtual programme, organised by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi from 13 October to 24 November to provide audiences with opportunities for human connection and reflection, and encourage a deeper understanding of contemporary art.
“ ‘Waiting for the Future’ has seen amazing engagement between artists and their audiences, offering moments of reflection, connection and togetherness during this time of change and uncertainty. Through visual art, dance, and film, people from all walks of life have gained profound insights into these artists’ creative expressions of the future,” said Maisa Al Qassimi, Senior Project Manager at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
“This programme has given us a fantastic opportunity to examine our own notions of identity, community, and society, and how humanity is representative of diversity and togetherness. We are humbled to have been joined by these incredible artists and look forward to showcasing future talents in the cultural hub of Abu Dhabi.”
‘Waiting for the Future’ is part of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s commitment to driving intellectual and cultural dialogue, and reflects the museum’s dedication to supporting the creative practices of contemporary artists.
Wejdan, alongside all previous ‘Waiting for the Future’ sessions, is available for viewing on the Abu Dhabi Culture YouTube channel.
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About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the Emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the Emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the Emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
© Press Release 2020
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