SAF releases two vinyl Albums for Sharjah Biennial 16

Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Art Foundation has launched two special vinyl albums—Only sounds that tremble through us (To all those we are indebted to, before and after us) and The Ancestral Well: Pulse to Terrain—as part of the 16th edition of the Sharjah Biennial (SB16), held under the theme “to carry.”

A sonic offering for SB16

Curated by five international curators—Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz—SB16 brings together more than 190 participants and over 200 new commissions, presented across multiple locations throughout the Emirate of Sharjah. As part of this expansive exhibition, the Foundation’s vinyl releases offer audiences a unique sonic encounter.

Only sounds that tremble through us

To all those we are indebted to, before and after us

This double LP, curated by SB16 co-curator Amal Khalaf and developed with the Bilna’es project led by Adam HajYahia, features compositions by Ruanne Abou-Rahme and Basel Abbas. The album is rooted in online archival recordings of anonymous performances from Palestine, Iraq, and Syria, which have been reinterpreted and transformed into new compositions by artists like Makimakkuk, Julmud, Haykal, and Rima Baransi.

It forms part of a broader multimedia project, May amnesia never kiss us on the mouth, exploring voice and movement as forms of resistance against erasure and violence. The second record includes commissioned pieces by Hiro Kone, DJ Haram, SCRAAATCH, and others who extend the project's themes through sampling and synthesis.

The album was released during SB16’s opening week in February 2025 and is available for purchase online and at SAF shops.

The ancestral well: Pulse to terrain

Curated by Natasha Ginwala with musician Sarathy Korwar, this album draws inspiration from ancient wells in India and Sharjah, exploring themes of memory, cultural continuity, and ancestral connection through sound.

Featuring a rich blend of jazz, electronic, and Afro-Asian influences, the album includes works by Nicolás Jaar, Asher Gamedze, Naima Nefertari, Boom.Diwan, and others. Bonus digital tracks are included by Belinda Zhawi (MA.MOYO) and The Sega Sega Band.

The cover features photography by M’hammed Kilito, documenting oases in Morocco, tying into his SB16 commission Kafila, on view at Bait Al Serkal.

The album will be officially launched with a live recital on 19 April 2025 during April Acts: to carry new formations, held at Africa Hall, Sharjah.

About Sharjah Art Foundation

Established in 2009, the Sharjah Art Foundation is a major cultural institution supporting contemporary art across the region. It presents year-round exhibitions, performances, and public programmes, while organizing the renowned Sharjah Biennial and March Meeting. The Foundation promotes regional heritage, supports artistic production, and collaborates with international arts communities under the leadership of President and Director Hoor Al Qasimi.

About Sharjah

Sharjah is a recognised cultural capital of the UAE and the wider Arab world. Home to over 20 museums and numerous cultural initiatives, the emirate continues to build on its rich heritage, earning accolades such as UNESCO’s Arab Capital of Culture (1998) and World Book Capital (2019).