Second edition of Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale to take place in Riyadh this month
The second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 20 to May 24, marking a significant milestone in the country's burgeoning cultural landscape.
Titled "After Rain," this edition will showcase the works of 92
artists from 43 countries, including 30 from the Gulf region, promoting a
global dialogue through contemporary art.
The theme of the 2024 biennale revolves around the natural environment and its impact on human life, symbolized by the transformative effect of rain in a desert oasis. Lead curator Ute Meta Bauer, a German-born artistic director, describes "After Rain" as a reflection of renewal and hope, aligning with the dynamic changes occurring in today's Saudi Arabia.
Second
edition of "Biennial Al-Diriyah Foundation" to be held in February
2024
The event will be hosted across seven halls and various terraces and courtyards in repurposed warehouses within the JAX District of Diriyah, along Wadi Hanifa. The diverse curatorial team, led by Bauer, includes Wejdan Reda, Rahul Gudipudi, Rose Lejeune, Anca Rujoiu, Ana Salazar, Amina Diab, Dian Arumningtyas, and Alanood AlSudairi.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation aims to deliver a world-class international platform, bringing together a multi-generational group of artists to ignite conversations, broaden perspectives, and engage a wider audience. Participating Saudi artists such as Abdulrahman Al-Soliman, Asma Bahmim, Mohammad Al-Faraj, and Ahmed Mater will explore diverse subjects, including historical, archaeological, and environmental issues.
Saudi
Museum for Modern Art in JAX: A canvas of contemporary expression emerges in
Diriyah
The biennale will run throughout Ramadan, emphasizing communal values, including sharing food. Noteworthy projects include a collaboration between Ahmed Mater and Berlin-based photographer Armin Linke, documenting Saudi futurism since the 1940s. Yemeni artist Sara Abdu will craft soap towers exploring cleansing rituals, while interactive works outdoors will merge contemporary and traditional Saudi art forms.
The focus of "After Rain" extends beyond art, emphasizing knowledge, discovery, and cross-cultural dialogue, creating a meeting ground for both established figures and young voices. The overarching mission is innovation—both artistic and intellectual—with a keen focus on history, creativity, and nature, embodying the promise of fertility, regeneration, and hope associated with rainfall.
Source: Arab News
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