In a previous post early last November (https://www.johnmcrae.com/emily-jacir-selected-for-the-25th-biennale-of-sydney/), I mentioned how my friend Emily Jacir had been selected among the international artists to exhibit at the 2026 Sydney Biennale by Artistic Director Hoor Al Qasimi, who is also the president and director of the Sharjah Art Foundation in the United Arab Emirates. Titled “Rememory,” this edition of the Sydney Biennale focuses on themes of history, memory and belonging.
Alongside her moving video/sound installation featured at White Bay Power Station, Emily, together with dancers and three Italian artists (Andrea De Siena, Walter Laureti, & Valeria Taccone), workshopped an amazing performance entitled “The Belly Cries and the Dogs Laugh”. This piece was choreographed and presented in the space of the Entertainment Hall, a wonderful building attached to the former Power Station in Rozelle, a space that was re-opened for this explicit purpose, for the first time since being decommissioned in 1984.
I was privileged to photograph and document the development and staging of this amazing artistic expression (see above for some images of the rehearsal/workshop process). The following images were taken during the final presentation, which took place in Sydney over four performances in mid-March during the first weekend of the Biennale.
All in all, it was an emotional, inspirational event. It ended with most of the audience on their feet, dancing together with Emily and the other performers. It was fascinating for me to see the development and rhythmic process that is involved in creating such a performance, from the heart-felt choreography of Andrea De Siena, to the exceptional sound track devised by Walter Laureti, together with the haunting vocals of Valeria Taccone.
