Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, the director of the Sharjah Biennial and Sharjah Art Foundation, has been appointed as the artistic director for the Aichi Triennale 2025 in Japan. This appointment is significant as she will be the first non-Japanese artistic director in the festival's history since its inception in 2010.
Aichi Triennale is a significant three-year contemporary arts event that draws a large number of Japanese and foreign artists who exhibit their work throughout the city. Sheikha Hoor expressed her gratitude and excitement about the appointment, emphasizing her longstanding connection with Japan, its language, culture, artists, and curators. She views this opportunity as a chance to collaborate with professionals, gain knowledge about Aichi, and intimately interact with regional artists and people to produce an exhibition and project that has significance.
The news of Sheikha Hoor's appointment was also shared by the Aichi Triennale on their Instagram page. Taking place in the Aichi Prefecture on Japan's Pacific Ocean coast, the festival draws visitors from around the world and encompasses various fields such as music, dance, performance, and contemporary art. Sheikha Hoor is excited to collaborate with partners from all around the world while showcasing the work of the Aichi Triennale and its forthcoming edition.
The organizers cited Sheikha Hoor's extensive experience and accomplishments as an international curator and director as the reasons for selecting her. She has served as the curator of the Sharjah Biennial since 2003, playing a crucial role in its development. The recent iteration of the event celebrated a significant milestone as it reached its 15th exhibition in a history spanning 30 years, solidifying its status as the longest-standing arts event in the United Arab Emirates. During this biennial, a diverse selection of 300 artworks created by 150 artists from the local, regional, and international scenes were presented throughout the emirate, providing a comprehensive representation of artistic expression.
The sixth Aichi Triennale is scheduled to open in 2025, and with Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi at the helm, it promises to be an exciting and innovative showcase of contemporary art in Japan.
