RIYADH: Inspired by intimate conversations with 37 women, Saudi artist Dania Al-Saleh and French-Swiss artist Catherine Gfeller present their striking exhibit 鈥淲oven Dreams鈥� at L鈥橝rt Pur Foundation, which runs until April 6.

The exhibition features multimedia artworks that reflect the stories of the interviewed women through the breadth of their diverse experiences, aspirations and contributions to society.

The showcase is divided into three sections totaling 540 square meters and created in a museum-like style.

Gfeller says that she interviewed each of the 37 women privately, exploring the deep meaning of their voices, testimonies, and the way they express themselves. 鈥淒eep meetings with 37 women is like deeply immersed in 37 different universes, very personal and specific universes,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t means 37 times more work because I try to adapt myself to each voice in a symbolic way.鈥�

鈥淓ach woman has her own voice and her own way of seeing life and connecting to us as artists 鈥� they only spent one hour with me but I worked for four months, night and day with them,鈥� she said.

Noting the collaborative nature of the process, she added: 鈥淚 feel like I know them very deeply as my role is to convey the subconscious version of what they told us 鈥� I really tried to be a medium through which I can express their deep thoughts.鈥�

Each room in the exhibition showcases a distinctive art form, inspired by the interviews. From projected short films that capture their personal stories to a room adorned with inspirational quotes plastered on the walls, and another room showcasing striking photos of each woman, visitors are taken on a sensory journey through the lives and experiences of these individuals.

Al-Saleh said that working on the project was a once-in-a-lifetime experience: 鈥淚 felt so privileged to have these wonderful ladies take us and be a part of their inner private lives and share so many interesting stories and emotions with us.

鈥淲e really focused on taking care of the stories they shared with us and treating it as a treasure 鈥� we had to really think of creating artwork that does it justice.鈥�

Gfeller knew that she wanted to do an exhibition with Al-Saleh, a Saudi artist, after seeing her work and feeling that she is her 鈥渁rt sister,鈥� adding: 鈥淪he (Al-Saleh) had a wonderful piece in AlUla and when I saw It, I thought 鈥業 feel so close to her.鈥� It was really similar to another project in Switzerland about mythology, power of women, and symbol of women.

鈥淲hen we did this residency, it was interesting to see how similar we are in how we approach art, and how we approach the emotion of women,鈥� she said.

One of the exhibition鈥檚 artistic subjects is Farah Al-Turki, a Saudi writer and producer. She said: 鈥淭he work hit home for me as it touches on how we all come from very different backgrounds, yet we all fall under 鈥榃omen of Riyadh.鈥� I鈥檓 certain visitors will identify and see themselves within the work.鈥�

The exhibition was curated by, Dalia Chabarek, a Lebanese urban researcher and sociologist working between Lebanon and the UAE.

鈥淲oven Dreams鈥� is supported by the French embassy, L鈥橝rt Pur Foundation, Alliance Francaise and the Swiss embassy.

Yannick Reichenau, deputy head of mission at the Swiss embassy, said that intercultural exhibitions would grow in the future, in many directions, because 鈥減eople-to-people exchanges are always key to bilateral relations.鈥�

鈥満诹仙缜� is opening with Vision 2030 and one of the key cornerstones is art. For a long time, in bilateral relations, art was not a key pillar but now it is. It鈥檚 about younger people connecting as well,鈥� Reichnau said.

Noting the opportunities for artists to learn from each other, he added: 鈥淭his exchange is some of the best. It鈥檚 very enriching to both of our countries.鈥�