Oman opens Pavilion at Venice International Art Biennale

Venice: The Sultanate of Oman on wednesday opened its national pavilion at the 61st Venice International Art Biennale in Venice, Italy, presenting an immersive artwork titled 'Zeina.'

This move reflects Oman's growing presence on the global cultural stage and underscores its commitment to activating intangible cultural heritage through a contemporary language designed for global engagement.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Sayyid Saud Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, in the presence of several dignitaries, artists, intellectuals, and representatives of international cultural institutions.

In his speech, Sayyid Said Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture and Commissioner-General of the Pavilion, stated that Oman’s participation in the 61st session of the Venice Biennale 2026 is an extension of its commitment to enhancing its cultural presence internationally.

He noted that this reinforces Oman's position as an influential contributor in the global creative scene, in harmony with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the cultural strategy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.

The Undersecretary added that this participation seeks to present a contemporary artistic discourse that originates from Omani identity while interacting with current aesthetic and intellectual issues. This contributes to building bridges for dialogue and cultural exchange, opening new horizons for experimentation and interpretation. It simultaneously confirms the role of culture as a resource for development and a platform to highlight national creative talents within a diverse and shifting global context.

He emphasized that the Sultanate of Oman operates from a firm cultural vision that views culture as one of the most profound manifestations of a nation's civilizational presence, and arts as a broad human space for exploring and reflecting upon the world. Through this participation, Oman presents an experience rooted in its history while remaining attentive to the aesthetic and intellectual questions addressed by art in its contemporary contexts. This reflects the vitality of creative practice and its ability to reshape meaning and reality.

The Commissioner-General pointed out that the Omani pavilion in this session presents an artistic project inspired by the 'Zanah,' a specific tradition of silver horse ornamentation. This element possesses a symbolic depth that goes beyond decoration, embodying values of beauty, prestige, movement, and belonging.

He mentioned that this participation essentially embodies a national direction to solidify the status of Omani culture internationally, empowering Omani creators to have an influential presence on global platforms and contribute to the artistic and intellectual dialogues that shape the contemporary cultural landscape. He explained that the pavilion opens a window into the Omani experience in its symbolic, aesthetic, and human dimensions, allowing visitors to contemplate art's ability to elevate local elements to a shared human horizon, making cultural memory a renewable source of innovation.

The Omani pavilion features an installation by artist and curator Haitham al Busafi, who draws inspiration from the 'Zanah' tradition of silver-decorated horses. He reinterprets it as a contemporary sensory experience where elements of sand, silver, sound, and body movement integrate. Visitors do not merely stand before the work as passive recipients but become part of it, walking on a sandy floor inspired by the Omani environment while suspended silver configurations above them produce sounds that change with every step. This artistic experience transforms human presence into an active element in the formation of meaning.

The work is based on a deep aesthetic concept where 'Zeina' (Adornment) is not presented as superficial decoration, but rather as an expression of dignity, pride, and the worthiness of beauty—a contemporary reading of a term rooted in Omani memory. Furthermore, the pavilion offers an experience based on listening and contemplation, moving away from mere visual spectacle in line with the exhibition's theme, 'Small Measures,' which invites interaction with arts through sensation and tranquility.

The conceptual dimension of the work extends to offer a critical reading of the desert as a generative space for culture and creativity rather than just a geographical void. It evokes the history of Omani equestrianism and the deep relationship between man and horse, where the 'Zanah' is transformed from a functional tool into a philosophical and aesthetic expression reflecting human values. The work is characterized by its collective nature, as several artists and students from universities, colleges, and schools participated in executing its elements, adding a participatory dimension that reflects the spirit of teamwork.

This participation follows a trajectory of Oman’s increasing involvement in international forums, including previous sessions of the Venice Biennale and the London Design Biennale. This aligns with a strategic direction to enhance cultural and creative industries and establish culture as a soft power and a bridge for civilizational communication. The Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2026 serves as a contemporary cultural statement, presenting an Omani vision of beauty as a human value based on care, dignity, and listening, affirming that heritage is not a static past but a living energy being reformulated to shape a deeper future for intercultural dialogue.