Afra Al Dhaheri
The theme of this edition of the Aichi Triennale, A Time Between Ashes and Roses, is taken from a verse by Adonis, a poet representing the contemporary Arab world. Witnessing the devastation of war, Adonis lamented the environmental destruction left in its wake; yet he was also conscious of the hope that lay beyond the ruins. In today’s world, serious problems have emerged in the relationship between humanity and the environment, with the divide between the two only growing deeper. By examining this complex, intertwined relationship from a geological timescale perspective, rather than through the humanity-centered concepts of nationhood, territory, and ethnicity, the Aichi Triennale explores ways for humans and the environment to trust, nurture, and complement each other. Moreover, instead of focusing on the dichotomous argument of ashes (eschatology) versus roses (optimism), the Triennale attempts to understand the world through the nuanced thinking that exists between these extremes.
