Peek into Sharjah Biennial 2013

The sound of gunshots broke the shrill silence inside the art museum in Sharjah. With my heart in my mouth I looked around and spotted a room from where the shot had been fired. Unlike what I expected ala the movies there was no commotion, no blood flowing out, in fact it was all so quiet. So, I just walked up to the room and popped my head in a little to catch not a murder scene, but only a video exhibit depicting a gun made of ice melting away slowly. The melted droplet triggered the sound of a gunshot as it seemed to fall on the ground beneath creating ripples. The brainchild of Amine El Gotaibi, this video is called Gota de Gracia (a drop of gratitude). Check it out at the ongoing 11th Sharjah Biennial.

For most of us art is an expression through colours on canvas. But it was at the Sharjah biennial that I first glimpsed the many avenues of creative expression. Since 2009, I have been a regular at this event. From food installations to modern day sculptures to striking paintings and photographs the bi annual is a delight for both art enthusiasts and amateur visitors. This year the theme of the biennial is ‘Re-emerge: Towards a New Cultural Cartography’ and it runs till May 13 all over the Sharjah Heritage Area.
Some interesting exhibits captured through my lens:

Faces by artist Amal Al Khaja