By combining personal experience, perspectives on the history and culture of the Persian Gulf region, and investigations into the many tentacles of the petrochemical industry, Berlin-based Kuwaiti artist Monira Al Qadiri produces works that impel us to contend with our ongoing relationship to and dependence on crude oil. She considers this fuel of contemporary life as an “ancient alien” living in our midst, often invisible and unnoticed. Her project to reveal its ubiquitous presence delves into the violence, power struggles, memories, and human stories behind its extraction, as well as its impact on the complex and fragile web of nature. In her work, we encounter unusual forms of transmutation, shifting scales, realities, and values, and a collision of past and present—all pointing to the dire effects of oil exploration and refining processes while questioning the wisdom of a mindset that distinguishes between “human” and “beast,” with the former given god-like control over life. With shimmering color schemes, flower-like motifs, and a clear nod to mythology and science fiction, Al Qadiri underscores the risks being ignored for the sake of short-term prosperity and envisions a post-oil future.
John Gayer: “Deep Fate,” your recent exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma in Helsinki, generated multiple impressions. I particularly liked how the four elements of earth, fire, water, and air were interspersed among the works. Was that intentional?
Monira Al Qadiri: I never thought of it that way, but, yes, they are all there. It was not my idea, but maybe it was the aim of curator Piia Oksanen. We had a lot of back and forth, and she chose the works. . .
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