The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) has introduced two special vinyl albums for Sharjah Biennial 16 (SB16). These albums are titled Only Sounds That Tremble Through Us (To All Those We Are Indebted To, Before and After Us) and The Ancestral Well: Pulse to Terrain. They are released under the Biennial’s theme, to carry, and offer a unique auditory experience.
SB16 features more than 190 artists and over 200 new commissions. These are displayed across various locations in the Emirate of Sharjah. The Biennial is curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz. As part of this wide-ranging event, the vinyl albums bring a fresh sound perspective to the art showcase.
Only Sounds That Tremble Through Us
This double LP was curated by Amal Khalaf, co-curator of SB16. It was created with Bilna’es, a project led by Adam HajYahia. The album includes work by Ruanne Abou-Rahme and Basel Abbas.
It is inspired by online archival recordings from Palestine, Iraq, and Syria. These recordings were anonymous and reflect powerful performances from the past. Artists such as Makimakkuk, Julmud, Haykal, and Rima Baransi reinterpreted these sounds. As a result, the album transforms archival audio into new, creative compositions.
The album is part of a larger project titled May Amnesia Never Kiss Us on the Mouth. This initiative explores how voice and movement resist violence and historical erasure. The second record features additional contributions from Hiro Kone, DJ Haram, SCRAAATCH, and others.
Their tracks expand the project’s message using sampling and electronic synthesis. This LP was released in February 2025, during SB16’s opening week. It is now available for purchase online and at SAF shops.
The Ancestral Well: Pulse to Terrain
The second album is titled The Ancestral Well: Pulse to Terrain. It was curated by Natasha Ginwala, alongside musician Sarathy Korwar. This record focuses on memory, sound, and ancestral connection.
The music draws inspiration from ancient wells in India and Sharjah. Through sound, the album explores cultural continuity and historical reflection. It blends genres such as jazz, electronic, and Afro-Asian music.
Featured artists include Nicolás Jaar, Asher Gamedze, Naima Nefertari, and Boom.Diwan. Belinda Zhawi (MA.MOYO) and The Sega Sega Band also contribute bonus digital tracks. These tracks enrich the album’s narrative further.
The cover artwork features photography by M’hammed Kilito. His images of Moroccan oases are part of his SB16 commission Kafila, currently displayed at Bait Al Serkal. Sharjah Art Foundation will officially launch the album on 19 April 2025. A live recital will accompany the launch at Africa Hall in Sharjah. This event is part of April Acts: to carry new formations, celebrating sound as a cultural force.
