Interdisciplinary Lebanese-Dutch artist Mounira Al Solh is known for creating large whole room installations and artworks informed by acts of sharing and storytelling, change and resistance. Al Solh’s practice holds deeply personal encounters and conversations between the artist and members of the Arab diaspora across the world.
For the 25th Biennale of Sydney she will be presenting a new performance featuring the creation of an enormous serving of tabbouleh, fit to feed an entire community. This performance, Rhythms of Tabbouleh, explores gathering, food rituals, music, rhythm and tabbouleh as a site of resistance.
Guests will enter Blouza Hall to witness the final preparations of the tabbouleh, where the repetitive and contributive actions of chopping will be joined in sonic dialogue with an ensemble of local musicians. This call and response guides the audience towards sunset, at which point the hall will transition into an Iftar dinner where audiences are encouraged to contribute a dish.
Following evening prayers, the space will provide a space of spiritual reflection and community convocation. Tabbouleh and refreshments will be provided. In the spirit of charitable Iftar, we welcome guests to bring a plate to share, contributing to a communal evening of music and exchange.
