Saudi Arabia is set to make its debut at the 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition with a pavilion dedicated to Al Ahsa, one of the oldest agricultural oases in the region. Titled Maghras: A Farm for Experimentation, the exhibition explores the evolving relationship between farming traditions, ecology, and cultural memory in a landscape shaped by both history and modernization.
Curated by Lulu Almana and Sara Al Omran, with Alejandro Stein as Creative Director, Maghras will run from May 13 to November 9, 2025, featuring newly commissioned works by artists and architects, including Mohammad AlFaraj.
The exhibition is an extension of research and artistic interventions at Maghras, an interdisciplinary farm and community space in Al Ahsa. In the lead-up to Milan, artists, architects, and researchers collaborated with local farming communities, engaging in performances, film screenings, and workshops to explore the intersection of culture and agriculture.
Designed as a maghras—a traditional unit of land marked by four palm trees—the pavilion immerses visitors in Al Ahsa’s contemporary communities and ancient traditions. Through videos, sound installations, and participatory programs, the exhibition invites reflection on themes of preservation, adaptation, and reimagination in the face of urbanization, environmental change, and shifts in communal life.
With Al Ahsa at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural heritage, the pavilion examines the impact of industrialization, monocrop farming, and water resource depletion on the region. By bridging art, research, and local memory, the exhibition fosters a dialogue on the future of rural landscapes and the delicate balance between tradition and progress.
Special thanks to the Abdulmonem Alrashed Humanitarian Foundation for their generous support in hosting Maghras at their farm for eight months, contributing to this landmark presentation.
