Artists

Saodat Ismailova, Huma Bhabha, Mona Hatoum, Tala Madani, Lida Abdul, Afruz Amighi, Hera Büyüktaşcıyan, Madina Joldybek, Nazira Karimi, Daria Kim, Farideh Lashai

Press release

The Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art presents TURANDOT: To the Daughters of the East, a Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia: In Minor Keys, curated by Dr. Ziba Ardalan. The exhibition brings together a group of eleven significant female artists from Central Asia and wider regions of the East. The title draws on the opera Turandot, derived from 'Turandokht,' meaning 'daughter of Turan' in Persian. The exhibition features both new and iconic artworks that span multiple genres: video work by Lida Abdul, Hera Büyüktaşcıyan, Daria Kim and Tala Madani; installations by Afruz Amighi, Saodat Ismailova and Nazira Karimi; sculpture by Huma Bhabha and Mona Hatoum; paintings, video and recordings by Farideh Lashai; and textile and sound works by Madina Joldybek. The exhibition marks Parasol Unit's third show in Venice, signifying the beginning of a new era in the Foundation's international programming focused on presenting works by major contemporary artists to audiences at various locations worldwide. The initiative honors these creators as remarkable, intelligent and confident women, examining how their histories and artistic practices demonstrate strength and conviction. The exhibition will be accompanied by a major publication featuring newly commissioned essays as well as an evolving programme of talks and performances in Venice. The presentation coincides with the centennial celebration of Turandot's world premiere at La Scala in 1926. Dr. Ziba Ardalan: "Venice is the perfect location to present an exhibition honoring artists from Western Asia."