ORIENTALISM

2014

Dana Awartani’s artwork titled “Orientalism” is a room that is covered entirely with patterns that are inspired by both the traditional motifs found in the tribal costumes of Saudi Arabia and “Al Qatt Al Asiri” which is a historic artform of interior domestic wall decoration adopted by the women in the region of Asir.

In Awartani’s installation, she firstly draws the geometric patterns on the surface of the room using the traditional approach of a compass and ruler followed by covering it up with PVC tape. Through this piece she aims to comment on how global modern-day society is obsessed with the “new” and consequently much interest and knowledge of our culture and heritage has greatly diminished and is in danger of dying out.

Rather then using natural materials which is a common thread throughout her artistic practice, Awartani has chosen PVC tape as her medium to symbolize the industrialization of traditional modes of making and how artisanal knowledge is slowly disappearing. As a consequence, the installation is never permanent and cannot be reproduced, once the exhibit is finished Awartani removes the tape and throws it away making the artwork a temporary relic of the past.