Haitham Al Busafi “Zīnah” Walk Slowly Listen, Sultana of Oman, Venice Biennale 2026

The Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion at the Corderia dell’Arsenale in Venice during the 2026 Art Biennale presents “Zīnah” (ornament), a work by Haitham Al Busafi.

Haitham Al Busafi, Zīnah: Walk Slowly Listen, Oman’s Sultanate Pavilion, Venice Biennale 2026

Haitham Al Busafi Hanging from the ceiling are hundreds of Al-zaahana, the ornaments used to adorn Omani horses.

All these silver ornaments sway at the slightest breeze and catch the light reflecting off them.

Luminous ornaments which, whilst glowing, cast just as many shadows on the Wahiba sand that covers the floor of the pavilion.

Fine, soft sand upon which one is invited to walk slowly, listening to the tinkling of the silver jewellery suspended above us.

This shifting tableau of light and shadow, lengthening and shortening, is an allegory of day and night intertwining endlessly.

Haitham Al Busafi