Designing a dedicated art exhibition space at Sharjah Biennial 7

Based at two separate venues - the Expo Centre Sharjah and the Sharjah Art Museum - the Expo Centre is the centre-piece for a uniquely designed space, specifically created for exhibiting the 21 installation-art works of the Biennial 7.

Between April 6 and June 6, Sharjah Biennial 7 will act as a platform for interaction with and reflections about the theme of 'Belonging' through the creative works of more than 70 artists, from 36 countries - installation works being the closest way in which one can immerse oneself in the work of the artist. Rather than looking "at" the art work, one is "in" the piece.

Mona El-Mousfy, Architect and Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design, American University of Sharjah designed the exhibition space at the Expo Center in line with the Biennial theme and in co-operation with the artists' requirements for space. A task, she admits, was very challenging.

"The total area of 4,650 square meters accommodates 21 installation works of different media, sizes and structural and technical requirements. The form and dimensions of individual spaces housing the art and video installations were largely dictated by the artists' own requirements. The resulting lay-out creates a kind of urban landscape of largely free standing, enclosed spaces of varying dimensions: 5.7 meter high spaces towards the entrance and 4.5 meters as you go further in. The enclosed spaces are monumental, grouped in blocks or independent and organized around several circulation paths. Great care was taken in order to help make the artworks on show accessible and the experience of our visitors to the Expo Centre stimulating," Ms. El-Mousfy said.

The media, colours, light, and dimensions of these artworks can be enjoyed by everyone, as this exhibition is not only directed to art experts and art lovers, but seeks to engage the general public. The Biennial hopes to address itself to questions that explore how art may overlap with history and how artists may intervene in our space to allow us to think across cultural divisions.

"The interest of installation art is partly the fact that viewers can enjoy and appreciate it through all their senses, inhabiting artworks as they would inhabit architectural structures," she added.

Dealing with installation art requires high sensitivity, particularly in trying to incorporate the artworks within a suitable environment, as well as within the exhibition context, in relation to the space, volume, and light of the Expo, Ms El-Mousfy said.

"My aim as the exhibition architect was to allow the visitors as they walked in, to gradually start to feel free from the structures and architectural landscape that they are accustomed to, in order to be ready to receive new aesthetics. Visitors can chose their path be it slow or fast, systematic or meandering not unlike they would interact with an urban landscape. Visitors have their own connections and memories in the cities they dwell in and these determine their daily experiences of their cities; here also visitors can establish their own personal trajectories and come out with their own unique experience. From the raised balcony, they will enjoy a bird's eye-view of the whole of the exhibition, and enjoy a moment of reflection and introspection " said Ms El Mousfy.

Entrance to the Biennial is free of charge for all visitors and for the first time, it is being held over two months until 6 June.