BLΛCK supported the realization of Saudi Arabia’s first-ever participation at the Triennale Milano International Exhibition, contributing to the delivery of Maghras, A Farm for Experimentation within the historic venue of Triennale Milano. The project marks a landmark cultural presence for the Kingdom in Italy, positioned within the 24th International Exhibition, Inequalities, and presented to the public from May 13 to November 9, 2025.
Curated by Lulu Almana and Sara Al Omran with Alejandro Stein as Creative Director, Maghras investigates the transformation of Al Ahsa — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest oases. Named after the spatial unit defined by four palm trees, the pavilion draws on a year-long working program involving cultural practitioners, architects, researchers, and community members to examine the entanglements between land, labor, and memory.
The pavilion in Milan presents the outcomes of this extended intervention through three new commissions: an installation by Leen Ajlan built entirely from farming byproduct waste; a multimedia film work by Mohammed Alfaraj reimagining a local folk tale; and a sonic essay by Sawtasura drawn from women’s oral histories and environmental knowledge. Together, these contributions frame Al Ahsa as a hybrid urban-rural landscape shaped by inherited practices and rapid modernization, prompting a shared reflection on its cultural and ecological future.
