Simple Equations

Mona Ayyash

28.11–15.12.2024

Simple Equations presents a selection of video works that examine subtle and often overlooked body movements. These gestures are edited to repeat in a loop, encouraging viewers to slow down and turn their attention to the mundane.

The title refers to the mathematical concept of ‘simple equations,’ where two expressions hold equal value. Within the works on view, this concept unfolds as an exploration of how value can be enhanced through interaction and collaboration, showing how one variable can be validated through its relationship with another.

In the exhibition, the video works are presented as a cohesive collection, developed in response to one another over time. Together, they highlight how ideas evolve through processes of repetition, iteration, and refinement.

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Mona would like to thank her collaborators from the video work titled Folding Bellies: Inês de Almeida, Olivia Duncan, Mohammad El-Jachi, Shamma Khoory, and Altamash Urooj.

Along with her collaborators from the video work titled The Clock Doesn’t Care: Inês de Almeida, Dana Amer, Ahmed Elsaghier, Ralph Kabalan, Dalia Khalife, Sara Masinaei, Mohsen Mohi, Vighnesh Prasad, and Alina Vishnevskaia.

Folding Bellies and The Clock Doesn’t Care were commissioned as part of the ‘Homebound Residency Program 2020’ and the ‘Artistic Development Program 2024,’ respectively, by 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Biography

Mona Ayyash is a Palestinian visual artist, raised in Dubai. Her practice focuses on repetition, memorisation, slowness, and boredom. She holds an MFA in Studio Arts from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. Her work has been exhibited in various spaces in the UAE, including 421 Arts Campus (2024), Rizq Art Initiative (2024), NIKA Project Space (2023), Jameel Art Centre (2021), and Maraya Art Centre (2019).