In the enchanting city of Venice, an artist's vision has taken root, creating a unique and captivating exhibition. Lydia Ourahmane, a British-Algerian artist, has crafted a body of work that is deeply rooted in the city's essence and its surrounding islands. Her exhibition, which coincides with the prestigious Venice Biennale, showcases a different kind of art—one that is intimately connected to its environment and the community it serves.
The Artist's Journey
Ourahmane's artistic journey is a testament to her nomadic spirit and conceptual approach. Living between Barcelona, Algiers, and her childhood homes in the UK and North Africa, she has developed a keen sense of the world's grain, striving to create art that is an integral part of it. This philosophy has guided her latest endeavor in Venice, where she has immersed herself in the city's culture and history.
A Pier and a Story
One of the most fascinating aspects of Ourahmane's exhibition is the pier she commissioned to be built on the island of Poveglia. This island, little-known to outsiders, holds a special place in the hearts of Venetians. It has served as a quarantine island during times of disease and later housed an asylum. However, to the locals, it is a sanctuary, a place to escape and enjoy the sun. When the island came up for sale a decade ago, the community rallied together, forming a cooperative to acquire it and prevent it from becoming yet another luxury resort.
Ourahmane, in collaboration with her producer and a curator, visited the island and was immediately drawn to its story. Instead of extracting materials from this fascinating place, she decided to work with the community, respecting their efforts to resist extraction. Thus, the idea of the pier was born—a practical addition that would benefit the island and its visitors, and a symbol of her commitment to the local community.
Art as a Reflection of Reality
Ourahmane's art is a reflection of the world she inhabits. Her exhibition at the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation showcases this philosophy. From the pier to the acquisition of a unique altarpiece, illuminated by a euro coin machine, her work is deeply connected to Venice's culture and history. The altarpiece, originally from the church of San Giovanni Crisostomo, adds an intriguing layer to her exhibition, blurring the lines between art, religion, and commerce.
Flexibility and Resilience
Ourahmane's artistic practice is characterized by extreme flexibility. She embraces ideas, both feasible and fantastical, and allows reality to shape her work. This approach is, in part, a product of her upbringing. As the daughter of devout Christian parents from Algeria and Malaysia, she grew up in a loving home that served as a haven during Algeria's 'black decade' of civil war. This experience has shaped her resilience and her ability to negotiate and adapt, much like her father, who gifted her a British passport, a symbol of safety and opportunity.
Exploring History and Identity
Ourahmane's work delves into themes of history, colonialism, and immigration. Her degree show at Goldsmiths involved a bureaucratic feat, importing oil barrels from Algeria to London, a first since Algerian independence. This project reflects her ability to navigate complex systems and her exploration of her own identity as an immigrant.
One of her most powerful works involves a gold dental implant, a story that intertwines her grandfather's service in the French colonial army and a young man's attempt to sell a gold chain to fund his journey to Europe. This piece, a metaphor for the traumas of migration, highlights Ourahmane's skill in weaving personal narratives into larger historical contexts.
The Energetics of Objects
Ourahmane's interest in the energetics of objects is evident in her use of Ghislaine Maxwell's curtains in an exhibition about Britishness. The curtains, retrieved from a bin during the pandemic, carry a unique energy, a charge that reflects the events and people they have encountered. Yet, as Ourahmane notes, "it's just a set of curtains," a reminder of the ordinary objects that can bear witness to extraordinary events.
Art as a Language
For Ourahmane, art is a language, a way to order a disordered reality. It is a constant in a world of flux, a medium through which she can explore her multiple identities and positions. Her art is active, engaging with the world and its complexities, much like the diverse languages she speaks.
In conclusion, Lydia Ourahmane's exhibition in Venice is a testament to her unique artistic vision and her ability to create work that is deeply rooted in its context. Her conceptual approach, flexibility, and personal narratives make her art a captivating and thought-provoking experience.
