“Memory of Becoming” by Arcangelo Sassolino is a site-specific installation for the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in Jeddah, held from January 25th to May 25th. The work features a large, spinning disk coated with industrial oil, symbolizing the passage of time, transformation, and the tension between stability and decay.

At the heart of the installation a vast, spinning disk is coated with a high-viscosity industrial oil. This disk, in constant motion, orchestrates a precarious dance between stability and collapse. The installation spans an impressive 8 meters in diameter, creating a profound and immersive experience.

Time is an intrinsic element of this piece. The continuous rotation of the disk, maintaining the adherence of the oil, symbolizes the relentless passage of time and the persistent effort required to sustain existence. The gradual dripping of oil onto the ground serves as a poignant reminder of loss and dissipation, a testament to the impermanence that underlies all creation.

This artwork embodies the struggle against the inevitable, mirroring the human condition of resisting decay while being inexorably drawn toward it. The spinning disk and the adhering oil serve as metaphors for life’s continuous motion and the inherent tension between opposing forces—stability and change, persistence and decay.

The work challenges the viewer to embrace the fluidity of transformation, reflecting on their own existence and the perpetual state of becoming. Sassolino’s piece transcends mere observation, inviting introspection and a deeper understanding of the temporality and fragility of life.

This work engages deeply with the cultural and spiritual environment of its location. The installation’s themes of time, transformation, and the ephemeral nature of existence resonate profoundly within the historical and cultural context of Jeddah, a city that serves as a gateway to the holy sites of Islam.

Sassolino has meticulously conceived this work to reflect the unique spirit of the Biennale, which seeks to explore and celebrate the intersections of art, culture, and spirituality. The choice of industrial oil as a primary medium not only evokes the region’s rich history with oil but also symbolizes the fluidity and resilience of the local culture, which has continually evolved and adapted through centuries.

Photo: (c) Ginevra Formentini