About 50 artists from Gaza will exhibit their work within the besieged coastal strip, and are looking for art galleries to host exhibitions overseas. But in order to hold their work to the eyes of the rest of the world, the artists are facing a unique challenge: how to get their art across Israeli siege lines.
About a quarter of the exhibiting artists managed to cross into Egypt earlier in the war. Of those left behind, some will try to send artworks out of Gaza with aid workers who are sporadically allowed to cross the lines; others will send material electronically in the form of pictures and video, while a few will partner with artists in the West Bank to reconstitute their art remotely.
Tasneem Shatat, a 26-year-old from Khan Younis who helped come up with the idea and is a driving force behind the initiative, explained why the artists chose to emulate Venice and other major world cities in calling the proposed show a biennale.
"The biggest artistic events in the world are called biennales, hosting the world's most important artists to address the most important things in the world through their art. For us, the most important artists in the world now are the artists of Gaza," Shatat said.
The name is also a statement of intent that the biennale will be a recurring event and that Gaza and artists will still be standing in two years' time.
The idea is intended as an artistic proof of life in the face of an attempt to strip Gaza's Palestinians of their humanity.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
At least 75% of universities join fossil fuel pledge, say activists
More than three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to exclude fossil fuel firms from their investment portfolios, according to campaigners.
Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell
Max Verstappen issued a condemnation of his fellow driver George Russell stating he had \"lost all respect\" for him after the pair were involved in an incident during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.
'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants
Pep Guardiola said he expected more respect at Anfield after being taunted about the sack during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool, with the chants prompting the goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to criticise the city as \"not the best part in the UK\".
Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder
When times have been tough in the past for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, there has always been the sense they will pull through; it will be OK.
Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy
Pep Guardiola kept holding up six fingers. The Liverpool fans were in delirium and the Liverpool players were jigging and jiving across the turf, and his own players had gone over to applaud the travelling support, which is really the least anyone deserves after attempting to travel across northern England on a Sunday.
Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton
\"Amorim, Ruben Amorim, nananananananaaa,\" the jubilant Manchester United fans chorused after Joshua Zirkzee's second goal.
Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries
Bad news for fans of slapstick comedy: Chelsea appear to be serious again.
Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney
It would be tempting to talk of Tottenham at least being predictable in their unpredictability, of the way they cannot but follow up a great result with a disappointing one, of the inevitability of them, having beaten Manchester City 4-0 the previous weekend, failing to beat Fulham at home.
Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley
Emma Hayes United States head coach
'Raring to go' Stokes brushes off injury worry after pulling up
Ben Stokes moved to play down concerns over his fitness and declared himself \"raring to go\" for the second Test at Wellington after the England captain ended his efforts with the ball mid-over during the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval.
